Part of Southlands School’s work towards expected social behaviours is offering the young people living in Lodge House an incentive. For managing to evidence these social practices for a prescribed period of time, they were offered a surprise award for their hard work.
Our young people were presented with a ‘High Tea’ afternoon at Rheinfield House as a reward for practicing and displaying what are socially regarded as ‘good table manners’. Examples of these were, placing their knife and fork alongside each other at the end of a meal, excusing themselves from the table, not talking with food in their mouths and politely asking for condiments.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, Rheinfield were not able to accommodate us, so Burley Manor became the replacement booking for the afternoon of tea and scones. Again, due to the lockdown being implemented two days before the trip, the tea faced being cancelled. As the children had worked so hard and impressed the staff with their impeccable manners and politeness, it was decided we would go ahead with ‘High Tea’, using the school’s meeting room. Invitations were sent to the four children, as well as the honoured guest, Mr Simmons, our interim principal.
All four children were very excited and chose special outfits to wear for the occasion, with the room being decorated by Lodge staff, with kind assistance from the lovely ladies in the front office! The kitchen staff excelled themselves by setting out an array of scones, victoria sponge cakes and various other treats for the guests.
The children were delighted with not only the room and the treats offered, but by their Principal who arrived in true ‘Bond’ style. They assisted in serving the guests politely and put great effort into displaying their very best table manners for Mr Simmons!
A happy memory for all!
