Community

• Charity
• Communication
• Eco Hurst
• Pastoral Care
• Boarding
• House System
• Daily Routine
• Code of Conduct
• JuSPA

Charity

We value highly our local and global community links in Hurst Prep. We have regular Prep School charity days which are organised by the children in their Houses and these charity days raise funds to support local as well as international projects. In addition to these days we also support the College’s Charity in the summer term. This past year we raised nearly £14,000 for Open Arms Infant Care Home in Malawi (www.openarmsmalawi.org) with much of the money coming from pupils who independently planned fundraising projects. We also supported the children from the Pearl of Africa Choir who visited us in the Michaelmas Term and stayed in our Boarding House, we raised money for Comic Relief and the children prepared ‘a meal in a box’ for the Brighton City Mission as a means of celebrating our Harvest Festival.

In addition to our fundraising efforts we work hard to support our local community. Our Year 4 and 5 pupils sang at two local old peoples’ homes as part of the Hurst Festival in September 2009 and the choirs sing at a local residential home for elderly people every Christmas.

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Communication

We work hard to communicate information to you via the school calendar, a weekly newsletter and notices in the foyer. If you wish to communicate with the school please contact the office by phone, e-mail or just drop in. If you have a concern about your child’s progress then either e-mail the form teacher or the subject teacher. He or she will either answer your query by e-mail or arrange an appointment to see you.

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Eco Hurst

The Eco-Hurst Committee was set up in April 2008. Its mission statement reads:
"Hurstpierpoint College aims to prepare young people for a lifetime of sustainable living through teaching and learning, whilst becoming a model of good practice, demonstrating ideas of sustainable living and working."

The initiative was launched by a tree planting ceremony in the Prep school grounds.  The school has already been awarded a Bronze Award and we are working towards a Green Flag Award.

We have vegetable gardens planted and maintained by the children which were very productive this year and the children and their parents are encouraged to contribute to an Eco-Hurst column in the weekly newsletter.

An Eco-day is planned for the summer term this year.

Pastoral Care

We believe that good pastoral care is essential for a child to flourish and we value each child as an individual. If you have a concern or wish to inform the school of any change in circumstances at home, then please inform your child’s form teacher or Mrs Debbie Stoneley who is responsible for Pastoral Care and Discipline. This is normally done by e-mail but teachers can often be found before the start of school. If your concern is more serious, please feel free to make an appointment with Mrs Beeby.

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Boarding

Flexi-boarding is a very popular option for busy families and the children really enjoy taking advantage of this facility. Your child is welcome to board at any time during the term providing there are bed spaces available. In the Foyer is a Boarding Notice Board with details of the evening routine for the boarders and there are forms available from the School Office which need to be completed if your son or daughter would like to flexi-board. Please give us twenty four hours notice.

Occasionally, a year group is invited to board or there is a ‘fun boarding night’ with a theme for example ‘pizza and pool’. These nights are advertised on the Boarding Notice Board in the Foyer.

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House System

We operate a House System to encourage healthy competition and teamwork. On arrival at Hurstpierpoint College Prep School, children are allocated to one of the four houses, all named after past eminent academic staff of the College. The Houses also take it in turns to organise a Charity Day and help to create an awareness of our responsibility to the wider community. The role of the Houses in the life of the School has increased in recent years and house competition is thriving! House Masters and Mistresses take an active role in encouraging their children to strive for house points.

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Daily Routine

School opens at 8.00 am and pupils can go to their classrooms from 8.10 am.  Pupils should be in school for Registration in classes at 8.25 am at the very latest.  If on a particular occasion you need to leave your son or daughter before then please discuss this with Mr Oakden, the Deputy Head.

After lessons 1 and 2 there is a break and children are offered a drink, a biscuit and some fruit before they go out to play. Pupils should not bring in their own food including sweets. After lesson 3 pupils go to lunch in the College Dining Room. On Wednesdays the afternoon is devoted to games and matches after 2.00 pm and if your son or daughter is not involved in matches he/she will be able to leave school at 4.00 pm. On Thursdays we end the day with our weekly Chapel Service which finishes at 5.00pm. Children may go home at 4.30 pm every day except Thursday unless involved in activities which finish at 5.20 pm. After activities there is a supervised prep period for anyone still at school. Prep finishes at 5.55 pm and all day pupils should leave by 6 pm.

At some stage every afternoon children are offered a cake, a piece of fruit and a drink.
If pupils are left at school and do not have an activity then they are required to go to Private Study and then Prep if they are still in school at 5.20 pm. This can be an extremely long time especially for younger children and we recommend that this is avoided if at all possible.

Pupils may stay for supper at 6.00 pm if they are staying for a play or concert but it is essential that their form teachers are told in the morning so arrangements can be made.

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Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

Respect

• Treat all property with respect.
• Don’t ‘borrow’ other people’s things
• If you are not sure, ask permission.
• Listen to what people have to say. Give everyone a fair chance.
• Don’t be judgmental.
• Own up! Be honest.
• Work together. There’s no ‘I’ in ‘team’. 
• Every action has a reaction.

Manners

• Remember to say please and thank you.
• Be polite and courteous to everyone.
• Hold doors open for each other.
• Make visitors feel welcome.

Commitment

• Always give 100%. Be proud to win but accept defeat graciously.
• Work hard in class. Take pride in what you do and do it well.
• Be considerate to those around you who are trying to learn.
• Put your hand up and wait your turn.

Make

• Our school safe, welcoming, calm and inclusive.

 

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JuSPA

One reason why the Prep School is so friendly is its strong Parents’ Association (JuSPA). This social group is invaluable and arranges and helps with a whole variety of events for pupils and parents throughout the school year. Current parents will find more information about JuSPA on the Parents' Zone page (click here to go to the Parents' Zone log-in page)

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