Miscellaneous

Swimming Test

Every new boy, unless medically exempt, is expected to take a swimming test during his first few days in the School. Boys who are unable to pass this test are given extra practice and instruction each week, and are re-tested at regular intervals. No boy is allowed to engage in water sports until he has demonstrated his competence by passing the test.

If your son is a weak swimmer, he would be well advised to practise the necessary skills during the holidays. He might also like to know that the test is taken in games shirt, shorts, long socks, and gym shoes. He will have to enter the water from the edge of the bath and submerge totally. He must then swim 50 metres (2 lengths) unhurriedly using breast stroke, tread water convincingly for at least 30 seconds, and finally swim 25 metres on his back (any stroke), all without taking a rest or touching the bottom or the side of the pool. It is recommended that a clean but old pair of gym shoes is worn for the swimming test.

Calculators

The scientific calculators most boys use at preparatory school are not equal to these demands, and so we nowadays provide all new boys in F who do not already possess one with a Casio FX85-ES, a powerful and inexpensive solar-powered calculator, which we can offer at a substantially discounted price since we buy such huge numbers. For further information, contact the Head of Mathematics.

Computers

The School has a sophisticated computer network. Boys can use their own computers or those in the Computing Department to access the World Wide Web and the School Intranet. Every Boys’ House is connected to the network and every boy’s room has its own connection point. Boys’ machines must conform to a recommended specification.

The School has an arrangement with a supplier to provide a laptop computer which meets this specification at a heavily discounted price. Please click here for details.