RGS Senior Newspaper

Boarding, for some, will conjure up images of a Spartan lifestyle, with cast iron beds, cold showers and ten to twelve man dorms, as well as bland food, strict disciplinarian staff and very little in the way of fun. Nothing could be further from the truth at Fraser Youens House. Today it’s a very different story. For a start, only a small number of children board out of necessity. In fact, the vast majority of the 70,000 + boys (and girls) who currently attend boarding schools in the UK do so because they want to. They’ve observed first-hand the extensive facilities and the conspicuous comforts - think quality hotel meets theme park - and they want a piece of the action. Boarding is undoubtedly a conscious life-style choice, and it remains a significant decision for parents and children alike, cost aside. But it is an opportunity like no other, and one that offers secondary students the very best preparation for university, and for adulthood too. In an increasingly time-poor world, when both parents often work, it also supports the unrelenting demands of modern family life. Pros and cons must of course be weighed, but the advantages of being an RGS boarder, and belonging to Fraser Youens , a purpose-built ‘home from home’, are numerous. Named in memory of two highly decorated OWwar veterans, our bespoke boarding house embodies B2 BOARDING RGS HIGHWYCOMBE B3 Boarding Boarding Fraser Youens Home From Home the values inherent in the wider school community, and represents the spirit of RGS. Whether or not you have ever considered boarding, one inescapable fact holds true: most young people want to be with their peers. Plus, learning to live with unrelated others is a critical life skill. Coupled with the knowledge that our boarders historically top the School’s own academic league tables, the argument for ‘living in’ is compelling. But take note: with only ten places on offer each year, time is of the essence! BOARDING OFFERS GREATVALUE FOR MONEY, WITH FULL-BOARDING COSTING LESS THANMOST DAY SCHOOL FEES. IT’S LITTLEWONDER THAT MOSTYEARS ARE OVER-SUBSCRIBED! Three resident house staff live permanently at Fraser Youens . Mr Jon Scourfield, the Head of Boarding , Mrs Ginny Gallagher, the AcademicHouseMistress , and Mr SamClarke, the Pastoral Housemaster. Gina Barry is our Matron and holds a surgery three times each day. BoardingTutors , in addition to the Housemasters and Housemistresses, are teachers at RGS who - in the main - are resident on site, but not within FraserYouens . They have different subject specialisms, and this helps support the boys both academically and pastorally. TOPROW From left AlexMcDonald-Smith Boarding Tutor Lee Rowe-Elliott Boarding Tutor Francis Mullaly Boarding Tutor BOTTOMROW From left Diane Bench Boarding Tutor Chris Richardson Boarding Tutor James Young Boarding Tutor TOPROW From top left Jon Scourfield Head of Boarding GinnyGallagher Academic House Mistress SamClark Pastoral Housemaster BOTTOMROW Sarah Scourfield Boarding Tutor Gina Barry Matron Debbie Mynett Boarding Administrator