Figure 1.--Of course the major activity at any prep school is a lot of hard work in the classroom. This boy is working on an essay assignment during an evening prep period. class.
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Figure 1.--Of course the major activity at any prep school is a lot of hard work in the classroom. This boy is working on an essay assignment during an evening prep period. class. |
The school day is a little more complicated than might be imagined, especially as the prep schools accomodate children of a significant age range and thus varying educatinal needs. School schedules also vary substantially from school to school. There are, however, consistent patterns at many schools. Most of the week is devoted to academic studies; anywhere from 25-30 hours per week of classroom instruction is common. About 10-15 hours per week is common for afternoon or evening preparation, usually depending on the child’s age. Another 5-10 hours per week is usually devoted to official games and activities. The children on school teams, especially the senior boys, can spend considerably more times with sports, both practicing and in matches with other schools. Daily schedules are relatively standard, although there are differences from school to school. Of course the schedules on Satuday and Sunday at boarding schools are entirely different.
The weekkday (Monday through Friday) schedules at prep schools are farily standard. There are not major differences among schools, but there are differences reflecting the character and priorities of each school program. There are also differences among day and boarding schools. Here we will look at some of the major weekday actvities at various schools during the three principal periods. At most days there are difference among the weekdays. Often the Monday, Wedensday, and Friday schedule is different than the Tuesday and Thursday schrdule. Commonly the differences involve clubs/occupations (activity programs) and games.
The school day generally begins with the arrival of the day boys and a short assembly/prayer service at about 8:45 am. Schools vary as to how they handle the morning assembly. There are variations in the attentin given to a devotioanal. Some see the morning assembly as important to emphasize the community of the school as a whole. It also provides an opportunity to give praise the children for their many achievements and efforts and in some cases to address developing problems. Many headmasters use the opportunity promote sound values
and proper conduct, as well as in many cases warm good humour and courtesy. Most schools involve the children in the assembly. Lessons vary in length from school to school, but are generally from 40 to 50 minutes. Some schools with shorter class periods may combine periods when longer times are needed, generally for the older children. The academic lessons are usually concentrated in the morning classes. There is usually a morning break of about a half an hour when the children are allowed to play outside, weather permitting, and milk and juices with biscuits (cookies) or buns are available. A few schools schedule an activity period as one of the morning classes.
Lunch is usually served about 1:00 pm after which there is a quiet or rest period. Some schools require the children to return to their dorms and nap (usually an optimistic goal) or quietly read. Some children practice their instruments during this period. A few schools permit the children to quietly play in their dorms or even play outside. Afternoons are devoted to classes and games. Many schools schedule 2 or 3 afternoons a week entirely for games, either instruction or matches with other schools. If a child is not involved in a school match, he or she may have free time or be able to participate in clubs or activities. Many schools have special afternoon or evening schedules once or twice a week for club and other activities. Some schools provide a light tea (snack) in the afternoon. Some schools schedule prep before dinner and others after dinner. The day boys usually go home after the afternoon prep, although the younger boys go home earlier. At a typical school, for the first two years, the day finishes at about 3:30 pm. For the rest of the school, the day might finish at about 4:00 pm. Here there are variations from school to school. There are also often variations within the week. At one school the children on Monday and Wednesday have extended games go to playing fields for games and are back at School at 3:30 pm or 4:30 pm for the older boys. There are normally days such as Tuesdays and Thursdays where the afternoon after classes is devoted to activities or clubs rather than games. For the older boys, the last class of the day is normally Prep. Here the children can start work on their homework under supervised conditions. There are also normally provision for supervising the younger children who can not be picked up when their classes end. This is especially convenient to parents who both work or who have an older boy at the school. Getting the day boys off used to be a small matter, but as fewer boys board, this has become a major opeation at many schools.
Dinner is usually about 5:30pm or 6:00pm. The amount of time devoted to prep varies. Some schools schedule considerable prep in the evening while other deal with prep mostly in the afternoon. This varies by school. Some school place a much greater emphasis and devote more time to it than other schools. This also varies by age group. After Prep the children are free to amuse themselves until their bed bells go. At schools emphasizing prep this may be a short period. Many schools have a relatively short prep period, thus providing time for free play or various activities. The children amuse themselves with computers and games or even play in the sports hall/gymnasium before going to bed. During the summer term when days are longer, schools often encourage outdoor activities. Sometimes the prep schedule is adjusted for clubs and activities or visiting speakers. The bed times are staggered, depending on the child’s age, but the senior bell usually rings at about 8:00pm. After washing and jumping into bed, most schools allow the children to have a quiet read, rather than as explained at one school “knocking the bloke next door in the head with a pillow, before lights out . The prefects are usually allowed a little extra time as a special privilege, but by 8:45 lights are usually out at most schools.
The schedule for saturday was different at all the schools. The saturday schedule varied from school to school. Normally the schools had classes in the morning. Afternoon activities varied. Often spoorts activities were schudled, especially matches with other schools. Often the children were given free time for games, both inside and outside depending on the weather. The older pupils often are engaged in sports. The younger children in a variety of games or other activities. Especially popular on saturday for the younger children is building and playing in forts and dens. Some children might catch up with their reading or even school projects. There are seasonal variations. During the summer term the swimming pool is often open. Other facilities like the gymnasium are open for a range of activities. Some schools schedule field trips or other special activities. There are often special activities satuday evening some as movie videos.
Sunday programs varied from school to school. Most prep schools have some religious affliliation. Thus the principal activity in the morning is church. The schools attend church as a group at a local church of the appropriate denomination. Some schools have their own chapels. Provision is made for the children with special religious needs, primarily Catholic children at Protestant usually Anglican schools. Often after breakfast the children write a letter home and then march together to school in their dress uniforms. After lunch there the children normally have free time. The children are free to plat games are engage in various favorite activities. Here the seasin and weather are a factir. There may be an outing of some time organized for interested children. The children on excheats return in the evening.
