AC dictionary

One of the unique aspects of AC is the language here.
And no, I am not talking about Welsh, I am talking about the slang that becomes commonplace for AC students but means nothing to the rest of world.
An example of a common AC comment might be: "I have to go to a showering tonight, but I don't really want to go nightriding because I will be exhausted for codes".
I recently realised that I probably use some of these phrases in my blog. So I thought I would give you a few definitions.

Codes: Our classes. Don't ask me why they are called that, because I am not sure. However I believe it has something to do with the fact that our schedule is organised with a series of letters and then each student is told what subject corresponds with what letter in their personal schedule. (This is then made more confusing when alpha and beta are added to the letters!)

Showering: This is a long standing tradition (the father of one of the current students did it) which celebrates someones birthday. At midnight, when it become their birthday, Friends and housemates gather in the dayroom, sing them happy birthday and then carry them into the shower where buckets of water are thrown on their head. They then run back to the dayroom hugging everyone within arms reach in the attempt to get as many other people as possible wet. And then we eat cake. there are many variations on the basic showering outline. Many people are also covered in food items such as flour or sugar. Sometimes they get covered in soap or washing powder. In extreme cases (or most sunley {a house} showerings) you are taken outside and tied to something (a tree or chair or table) and showered outside. But most of the meaner showerings are given to the guys because somehow it proves their manliness.
unfortunately in the last few months the houseparents have been complaining about showerings and are attempting to have them changed to earlier in the day (closer to 10) because the loud singing often wakes them up. However, as of yet not much has changed.

houseparents: A member of faculty and their family, who live in houses attached to the student housing. their job as pseudo-parents is to ensure we are in our houses for check-in (see below) and make sure we aren't breaking rules, and tell us to clean up the house, and basically keep us all in line. All the house parents are different (and have different reputations). Some are much more strict than others. I personally love my house parents because they really seem to care about us, but are not too strict. Plus, they have adorable children.

check-in: At night everyone has to be back in their houses by check-in. On weekdays it is 10:15 and on weekends it is 11:15. Either a house parent or a tutor (see below) comes around the house and ensure that everyone is in the house. You don't have to be in your room, but you have to be in the house. It is only very rarely that we get permission to stay out after check-in (ex: the all night amnesty international letter writing campaign this weekend)

Nightriding: Leaving your house after you have been checked off for check-in to go to another house or somewhere else on campus (castle, the watchtower, the cliffs etc.). This activity has also been hotly debated around the school in the last term because it has been happening for years (probably since the school started) but apparently in the last few years it has been becoming more and more disruptive and so the school keeps saying that if we don't stop they are going to start 'cracking down'. I just think people need to learn to be quiet and not to yell between houses.

Tutors: This is more of a clarification than a definition. A group of about 7 students (per year) are assigned a tutor. This tutor doesn't help with homework, but ensures that the student is maintaining the expected academic work. If you come late to classes, or don't do your homework, your teacher will tell your tutor and they will talk to you. If you want to switch classes you can discuss it with your tutor. tutors also sometimes organise small get togethers for their tutor groups (for a dinner or some activity). My tutor is Brian, one of the music teachers.

EMC: Extra-Mural Center. The programme uses the facilities at my school to teach physical activities to school groups, especially inner-city groups and groups with physical disabilities. In my service we learn how to teach all of the various activities (kayaking, rock climbing, swimming, mountain boarding, archery etc.)

EDW: Stands for 'excessive display of wealth'. Because everyone at my school comes from different countries and different financial situations, we try to not flaunt our stuff. So ipods and laptops are not really supposed to be used in common areas like the dayrooms unless everyone is using it. And people don't walk around listening to music or talking on cellphones. It is not exactly a rule, but it is just stuff that is frowned upon.

Sick List: If you are feeling unwell and don't think you can go to codes, you can be placed on the sicklist which is then e-mail to all teachers and service leaders so they know you are excused and not just skipping. The only (and major) downfall to the system is that you have to get up in the morning and go to the nurse and approved before you are put on the sick list. And usually if you are feeling sick enough that you can't go to codes, you probably can't get up and go to find the nurse.

And then there are lots of different places:

OSCR: Old Staff Common Room. Lots of events and activities are held in there. And if it is not being used, it is a nice place to sit and chat with people

Watch tower: There is a tall stone watch tower in the forest beside the castle. If you manage to scramble up the steps (getting up to the steps is actually very difficult because they start about 6 feet off the ground) there is a fantastic view of the grounds and the ocean.

Sick Bay: If you are really sick they make you stay in the sick bay until you get better so that you don't get your doorm mates and the rest of your house sick.

Romeo and Juliet Tower: A small stone building beside one of the gardens. It is really pretty with ivy crawling up the sides.

the cliffs: a small clear area on top of the cliffs along the coast, that is just off of the school property.

Main Drive: The main road that cuts down the middle of the school from the front gate to the castle. The student houses are all along the side of the road (with the exception of two houses)

M4: A footpath that runs parallel to main drive, through the fields of the farm. It connects the other two houses to the academic buildings. It is nick named after the motorway that connects England and Wales.