Boarding Joining instructions

Welcome from the Head of Boarding

June 2021

A very warm welcome to the Campbell College Boarding department. We hope your son is looking forward to joining us. We continue to live in strange times but the hope is that the new school year will allow us to increasingly return to ‘normality’.

I do trust that your son is excited about joining his new school; there will be the inevitable trepidation of the 'unknown' and something new but I trust this will be short-lived!

In order to prepare your son, but more probably you, the parent, for life in Boarding, please read the information below and download the relevant documentation as part of the ‘Joining Pack’:

Arrival for the Start of Term

‘Check-in’ to Boarding is available from 10.00am – 2.00pm on Monday 30^th August. You will be directed to the College Dining Hall on arrival for light refreshments where you will meet your son’s Tutor and Housemaster and be shown to your son’s room. Please have your son’s passport ready for collection and safekeeping.

If you are unable to arrive for check in at the specified time, please let us know in advance so that alternative arrangements can be made.

Lessons commence for all pupils on Tuesday 31^st August at 8.40am.

Quarantine arrangements

In light of possible continuing Quarantine requirements for international travel, it is our wish and desire that all boys are able to start lessons on Tuesday 31^st August. Therefore, the decision has been made to open the Boarding House from Friday 20^th August 2021, where this allows for 10-day quarantine, if still needed.

The additional cost for the 10 days will be £295, which will be added to the School Bill next term.

(This will incorporate a £100 non-refundable deposit should your son ultimately not avail of the quarantine provision for whatever reason. You will appreciate that this is required to secure our staffing structure for the extra opening period.)

You will be appreciative of the need for me to ensure adequate staffing and catering provision, and I would ask therefore that you indicate whether or not you wish to book a room for your son.

Unfortunately, parents and guardians will be unable to enter the school buildings if quarantine requirements are in place at the time of arrival.

For further information on quarantine requirements, please visit: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-advice.

Covid -19 Testing

Please note the following information in relation to testing dependent on where you are travelling from:

Northern Ireland – you are asked to provide a negative Lateral Flow Test (LFT) in the 24-hour period before return to Boarding (or Housemother can facilitate one when you arrive to Boarding but which will inevitably delay your son access to his room). The result should be logged with the NHS and an e-mail confirmation sent to me, please – brobinson317@c2kni.net

Common Travel Area (GB and RoI) – a LFT is required before entry to Northern Ireland, and tests taken on Day 2 and Day 8 after travel to NI (The Day 2 and Day 8 tests can be managed in school of course)

Green List and Amber List (Europe and US) – a negative PCR Test is required for travel and a further PCR test should be arranged (prior to travel) to be taken on or before Day 2 (these Tests are generally sent to the College for self-testing).

No Quarantine needed unless the Test returns positive

Amber List (NOT Europe or US) – the student is required to Quarantine in school for 10 days.

A negative PCR Test is required for travel and further PCR tests should be arranged (prior to travel) to be taken on or before Day 2 and on or after Day 8 (these Tests are generally sent to the College for self-testing).

Red List – the College has gained special dispensation to permit students to Quarantine (appropriately) in school for the 10-day period.

“Students arriving from red list countries are required to book their tests as if they were Amber list passengers. You can ordering test here, use the ‘other exemption from quarantine hotel (Amber)’ option, selecting ‘Adult package only’”

Accommodation for parents/guardians

The College is pleased to have a partnership with the Hastings Hotels group. It boasts seven luxurious hotels across the province. This includes the five star Culloden Estate and Spa located 10 minutes from the College, the world famous Europa hotel in Belfast City Centre, the new Grand Central Hotel in Belfast City Centre and the four star Stormont hotel which is in walking distance from the College. If you contact aileen.martin@hastingshotels.com and quote “Campbell College Family Rate” you will be guaranteed the lowest available rates for any given dates.

Uniform and Kit List

I refer you to the separate uniform and kit list below. The clothing list is by no means exhaustive and my experience has been such that all families have slightly variant ideas. It is very much a ‘basics’ list, mindful that you will be aware of your son’s clothing habits beyond the school day better than me. Clothing is laundered for the students twice weekly, and I therefore stress the need for ALL clothing to be clearly labelled with your son’s name (sorry!).

Please read the kit list carefully. Should you wish to order any items for your son's room to be delivered to the College in advance, please do so and mark for your son’s attention c/o Mr Bert Robinson. If you prefer to purchase the items when you arrive (e.g. bedlinen etc.), there is a large Tesco store and Ikea a short distance away.

Invoicing

Invoices are split into 3 installments. The invoice for the first term’s fees will be sent to you in July, we would require this to be paid before your son starts in August. The subsequent invoices will be sent to you in December and March. Alternatively, if you prefer to pay the full year’s fees in one installment, please contact the finance office.

Communication

The College uses a system called ParentMail to communicate with parents via email - further information is provided in the handbook. You will receive an email at the beginning of term asking you to confirm your details and once you do this, your account will be live. It is recommended you download the ParentMail App from the iTunes/Google Play store.

Should you wish your son’s Guardian to be included in the ParentMail distribution list, please contact Mrs Leigh Crawford, Headmaster’s secretary.

Please continue to check the website over the coming weeks for updates and if there is anything of concern or indeed if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I look forward to welcoming you and your son to Campbell College.

Kind regards,

Bert Robinson, Head of Boarding

Joining Pack

Please download the information below, hopefully this will provide all the information you require however should you have any queries, please contact Mr Bert Robinson or Mrs Leigh Crawford.