Alphas: These are good marks that are awarded for exceptional performance in all walks of life at Sandroyd. Previously known as 'blacks'

Blue bags, red bags, and black bags: The swimming trunks one progressed onto as one became more proficient. Very few had black bags. (Information provided by Dr Hasler, former teacher)

Boast toast:

Bunker:

Colts: The under-11-year group teams are known as Colts.

Crisp packets: The name fondly given to the Sports jackets.

Deacon: A boy or girl in Year 8 who is given responsibilities (similar to prefects or monitors).

Drawing Room: Now the Headmaster’s Study – formerly a general reception area and later a relaxation room for boarders.

The Dungeon: The dungeon is the kit storage room, rather like Kitwick, down near the gym and pool. Nicknamed that because there are no windows and the matrons spend plenty of time there sorting laundry.

Elephant’s Foot: The domed area of grass outside the Dining Room.

GAPs: Four students join us for one year, usually from January to December. Most come from the southern hemisphere, particularly Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. They have mostly just finished school and are taking a year out before moving on to University or some other form of higher education.

Ha-Ha: The ditch that runs around the immediate area of the School. It was designed to keep out unwanted wildlife without having to resort to ugly fencing.

Hutting: A supervised activity where the Juniors build huts (or dens) in nearby woods.

Kitwick: At one time there was a large dorm on the first floor known as Wightwick…after an OS who died in the war, as many of the dorms were named. It was split into 2 and part of it became a room where cubbyholes were built to store clothes and kit…and so it was nicknamed Kitwick. (Information provided by Dr Hasler, former teacher)

Masters’ Yard: The tarmac playground outside the Art Studio.

The Middle: The oak-panelled hall, once the heart of the School, with the main wooden staircase and several ping-pong tables. Often used for parents’ refreshments after performances or matches.

Milk Tree: This is where the milk was collected at break, near the Elephant's Foot.

Niti Est Nitere: The School’s Latin motto – ‘To Strive Is To Shine’ (also the motto of Kedron State High in Queensland, Australia, and the motto of author Stephen Gregory’s fictional school in ‘Perils and Dangers of This Night’).

Omegas: These are bad marks for children who carry out a minor offence repeatedly. Omegas bring minus marks which are taken away from Alpha scores each week. Previously known as 'reds'

Pets Corner:

R.A.T.S.: Reasoning and Thinking Skills. 

Rep: Every day all the pupils went to the middle for about 20 minutes at 3:40, just before afternoon lessons, for rep, or repetition which was really a time to learn Latin and French vocabulary or grammar, capital cities, history dates, etc.

Sandroyd book of records:

Signature Tree:

Snake pit: The area to the left of the drive past the first cattle grid as you go towards South Lodge which was a large dip with lots of rocks and trees. One assumes a snake was seen there once?? (Helpfully added by Thomas Northcote, 1998 leaver)

Social circle:

The Square: The landing at the top of the main staircase.

Temple: The temple (at the edge of the pitches as you enter Sandroyd), similar in style to that dedicated to the goddess Vesta in Rome, was put up close to the main house by General Pitt-Rivers, the owner of Rushmore House, in 1890 to commemorate the birth of his first grandson. It is now very much the symbol of Sandroyd.

The Walled Garden: The former name for the Pre-Prep (Nursery, Reception, Years 1 and 2).

Triangle: The large area of grass adjacent to the temple end of the games field. Cars park here for matches.

Tuck Shop: Usually open at weekends - children are allowed a limited amount of tuck.

Trolley: Boarders have a light snack/supper just before bedtime in the Dining Room. So-called because it used to be served from a trolley in the corridor.

Twisty:

Wallow: The shower area in the main changing room.

WIWO: