First Year Student Frequently Asked Questions 2020

As you get ready for your first year at our School you likely have a few questions, here are some answers to the most common questions our new students ask.  

What is a houseparent?

Students at KES who live in boarding will be placed in one of our 16 flats or satellite houses. The largest dormitories for boys and girls are attached directly to the main school building and cafeteria, while there are other smaller satellite houses around campus. Each flat or house has approximately 15 students and one Houseparent, as well as a residential staff covering weekly duty shifts. The Houseparent is your “go to person” who will help and support you in many domains throughout the year. From taking time to ask about your day, cheering you on in the school play or on the sports field, or helping you with homework, your Houseparent is someone you can count on day in and day out.

The School recruits teachers and Houseparents who are caring, secure and respectful human beings; such teachers demonstrate a real concern for the emotional, social and physical development of each individual. KES Houseparents are often teachers and coaches, who also have a remarkable passion for working with, listening to, and encouraging students.  Houseparents and residential staff are in tune with each student’s wellbeing and equipped to help students work through difficulties. They work closely with the KES Health team in making sure a student’s needs are being met.

How do I mail a package to a student at KES?

Everyone loves to get mail!  You can address your letters and packages to a student c/o the school using the following address:

The student will be notified when a package arrives for them. Parents can also order birthday cakes for their son or daughter by contacting our Food Services Team (chartwells@kes.ns.ca).

Learn more about our dinning programme here: http://www.dineoncampus.ca/kes

What are some fun places to visit in Windsor?

Following the off-campus completion of the 14-day isolation protocols, our students will be able to settle into a new normal at KES. Boarding students will be considered a large bubble, and each residence will be a smaller family bubble with more freedoms. In order to create this environment for our campus, we require that all boarders remain exclusively on campus for the first two weeks of School. Town and weekend leaves will begin on Friday, September 25. This is subject to change based on the provincial guidelines for COVID-19.  See full School Opening Plan for details.  You can download a copy here.  

Our hometown is the perfect location for you to go to school.  It is a safe community that is alive with many recreation activities for all seasons.

Our international parents will appreciate that the town of Windsor is English speaking.  Your student will be speaking English as they interact in their local community. 

Download our Photojournal to learn more about the town we call home and we hope you may one day as well. http://info.kes.ns.ca/windsor-photojournal Or follow the town of Windsor on Social Media https://www.facebook.com/TownofWindsorNS/ or https://twitter.com/Windsor_NS 

What is prep?

Prep, or study time, runs Sunday to Thursday from 7: 30 pm-9: 30 pm (Junior prep ends at 9 pm). During this time, students work at their desks and in a quiet and focused atmosphere. Convocation Hall (library) is open in the evenings for students who wish to do research or work in a different space. The Success Center runs supervised prep Monday-Thursday for students who require extra support with their studies. What does prep look like? 

• Quiet, conducive, home study environment  
• Supported and safe atmosphere 
• Responsive to the needs of the student without negatively impacting others in the boarding community 

Do we have snacks during the day?

We sure do, in addition to three healthy meals with loads of options we have three snacks throughout the day, and the first snack is at morning break.  After school snack is from 2:15-2:45 pm, giving students an opportunity to get some energy and fuel for sports practice. In the evening following prep all students may go to the cafeteria where a healthy snack is available (9:00 pm for juniors, 9:30 for seniors). 

Our snacks and meals have been adapted to follow Coronavirus protocol, but you can find all the details in the School Opening Plan for details.  You can download a copy here.  

What is there to do on the weekends? 

At King’s-Edgehill School we understand the importance of keeping boarding students engaged and energized. To keep things fresh and stimulating, the extracurricular activities available to KES boarding students vary in scope and includes events on- and off campus.

Weekend Activities

Leisure time on the weekends will involve more on-campus activities, many outdoor recreation opportunities (hiking, kayaking, zip lining, skiing, swimming, camping), and eventually off-campus excursions in smaller groups (local sight seeing). Students can expect to see more planned events at KES, starting in September with “Food Truck Fridays”, a KES Colour Festival, The Terry Fox Run and BBQ, and an Open Air Coffee House.

Town Leaves and Weekends

When leaves begin, students will be able to sign off campus using our digital sign out system (REACH). In small groups, students may walk to town to purchase necessities, enjoy time on the waterfront, or visit a local café or restaurant. Under provincial guidelines, masks must be worn in all public spaces and seating in restaurants has been reduced to allow for social distancing.

After September 25, students may sign out for a weekend leave (to home, or the home of a friend/relative). During weekend leaves, diligence is necessary when choosing activities and outings. Families are asked to commit to keeping all activity

safe in nature, gathering only in small groups, practicing social distancing, and minimizing public contact appropriately.

Following a weekend leave, boarding students will have a COVID-19 screening prior to entering campus buildings.

What is there to do in my free time? 

There is no shortage of amazing extra-curricular offerings at KES. Our gym is open evenings and weekends and students can use the 25 m pool and all workout and gym facilities (basketball, badminton, volleyball, ping-ping, cardio and weight room, and more). Or enjoy evening intramural programs where students can compete in dodgeball, indoor soccer and volleyball.  Students enjoy getting off campus as well for local shopping in the Town of Windsor to pick up some necessities. 

More formal programming includes a huge selection of clubs, such as Robotics, Scrapbooking, Debating, Math Club, Piping, Green Team.  Clubs are not only a great way to meet people, but they also help us develop, grow and learn new skills. Whether it be learning how to garden, organizing fundraisers, or building and programming robots, there is something for everyone.

Many students embrace opportunities for volunteering at special events such as the Terry Fox Run, Windsor Elms Nursing Home, Windsor Elementary School (Reading Buddies) and the Local Hospital. 

There is never a shortage of things to do, sometimes it is the simple things our students enjoy, like cooking favourite meals with friends or relaxing in the student lounge or playing a game in the cafeteria with friends. 

From Good Morning to Good Night, KES students are active and engaged. Find out what our boarding students are up to in our downloadable photojournal, A Day in the Life of a King's-Edgehill School Boarding Student.