A Typical Day at Halswell Residential College

7.30am

The boys are woken to air their beds and wash.  After dressing they make their beds, tidy their wardrobe and after a staff check, go to breakfast. Generally the boys help themselves to a breakfast of cereal, toast, tea, etc. All medications are given by staff. Following chores and teeth cleaning, the boys' personal presentation is checked before they go to school at 8.45 am.

9.00am - 12.00pm

The boys go either to the College’s day school or to an outside school. Morning work centres on oral and written language, handwriting, spelling, maths, physical education and computer studies. Older boys may be at work, for example in the laundry or an outside placement. A group of boys would also be working in the horticulture unit. Some boys will work one-to-one with a teacher, teacher assistant or caseworker during this time.

12.00pm - 1.00pm

The boys return to the villa for lunch.

1.00pm - 3.00pm

Following an hour break, the boys return to their classrooms for the afternoon programme. This may be technology, letter writing, sexuality, keeping safe topics, social studies, science, living skills, trips to exhibits, music, library, shopping or horticulture.

3.00pm - 5.00pm

The boys' BMP (Behaviour Management Programme) points for the school day are awarded. Those having earned a privilege may spend extra time on the playstation, BMX bikes or computer. The other boys return to the villa, clean their shoes, change into casual clothes, have afternoon tea, then commence the Villa Recreation Programme.

5.00pm - 9.00pm

Dinner is usually served from 5.45 pm - 6.15 pm. Boys complete chores after dinner if applicable. The evening recreation programme may be relaxing in the TV room, playing outside or taking part in activities in the gym, or in the weekend, visits to the speedway, movies or other community events. Following a shower, staff and boys discuss the day and together they mark the behaviour management points. After supper the boys are settled in bed before 9.30 pm week days, unless they have earned a late night through the BMP.