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29 Sporting and recreational activities Our boarders will be involved in sporting and recreational activities outside of school hours and in the weekends. Best practice will be followed in terms of managing the boarder’s health and safety requirements in conjunction with QMC policies and procedures for Education Outside the Classroom. Transport for sporting and recreational activities Please take transport costs into consideration when your daughter is choosing to take part in sports and recreational activities outside of school hours. Your daughter may need to take a train, bus or taxi/shuttle to get to and from the venue. Queen Margaret House staff are happy to assist with travel logistics. The train station and buses are only a 10-minute walk from the school and Queen Margaret House. Taxis make for efficient and safe transport to other destinations. Transport and vehicles Due to a lack of parking available on or near the school grounds, boarders are not able to have a car or motor vehicle with them while at Queen Margaret House. We have been advised that under the NZ Land Transport Act it is illegal for anyone under 18 to use a ride share app (Uber, Ola cabs , Lyft etc.) There can be no exceptions as it is NZ law. This is now enforced for all boarders that are under the age of 18 at QMH. As an alternative we recommend our boarders use the train or local buses to get to and from venues, the school’s preferred taxi company is Combined Taxis as the drivers have been police vetted. Turning 18 Many students will turn 18 during their time in boarding. While this allows them to participate in a range of activities legally, these activities are still unacceptable while they are in the care of boarding. These include such things as smoking, vaping, drinking alcohol, visiting clubs and bars. Any participations in such activities will result in disciplinary action. Other age related activities, such as the right to vote, will be supported and encouraged. Visitors Parents and friends are welcome to visit during the week after school. All friends must be introduced to the House Manger or Boarding House staff on arrival and be signed in. Parents may veto any visitors at any time. Students may have visitors, at the discretion of the House staff, in the afternoon until 5.00pm. Visitors must visit in the common rooms on the ground floor, not in the school grounds or student accommodation floors. Students who choose to ignore these requirements will have their visitors refused. Any visitor not meeting our expectations around acceptable behaviour and common courtesy will be asked to leave the premises. In order to respect the privacy of all students, parents and visitors are not permitted access to any of the student bedrooms without express permission from the House Manager. Weekend activities Most Saturdays supervised activities and outings are organised for all boarders. This usually takes place between 2.00pm and 4.30pm but depends on the activity involved. It is compulsory for all boarders in Year 7-10, except those who have been granted leave, to participate in the organised activities. Security External doors are locked every evening by 10.30pm. The Boarding House is locked for security reasons during the school day and cameras are in place to monitor external entrances. Please note that parents and students are unable to access the Boarding House facilities during the school day. If parents want to drop off items for boarders during the school day, they can be left at the school office.