The International Centre, or IC, is a Sixth Form Boarding House for 57 boys, unique in as much as it draws boys from all over the world to study the International Baccalaureate at Sixth Form level in comfortable, purpose-built accommodation close to the main site of Sevenoaks School. Some twenty-five nationalities are represented, with a substantial complement of British students. The House, then, is truly heterogeneous, welcoming boys from several European countries, Africa, Asia and the Americas. The experience of sharing with such a diverse population not only leads to tolerance and understanding of a great range of cultures but also forges friendships for life across the globe.The present building, set in pleasant surroundings with views over the sports pitches, was purpose-built in 1997, but the original IC was founded in 1962 and was situated in nearby Oak Lane in a building now occupied by School House Boarding House. Our 40th Anniversary dinner was a great occasion celebrating the foundation of an institution originally conceived by Kim Taylor, a former Head of the school and he, along with all seven of the surviving subsequent Housemasters attended with old boys dating back to the first years of the IC.

The IC is run on democratic lines, governed by a constitution decided on by the House members. The elected chairman and committee preside over a weekly meeting also attended by the Housemaster.

Pastoral Care
The Housemaster Nigel Connell teaches French and joined the school in 1984. He and his wife Elaine live in the Boarding House.

Dr Steven Owen is the Assistant Housemaster. He is Head of Chemistry at the school and he lives with his family in the boarding house. Mr William Vincent, from the Biology Department, also lives in the house and is the other Assistant Housemaster. In addition, there are two other tutors attached to the House: Mrs Elaine Connell is the Housemaster's wife who has taught Mathematics at the school, and Mr. Andrew Cornah who is in charge of Sailing at the school. The House is run on a tutor system, each member of the House being assigned to the personal care of the Housemaster or one of the tutors, but there are ample opportunities for students to meet with any IC staff member on a daily basis. Our Matron, Mrs Linda Sulsh, presides over the medical welfare of the boys. She, along with the Housekeeper and our dedicated team of cleaners and handyman, ensures the smooth-running of the House on a daily basis. She is in the House from 08.00 to 17.00, Monday to Friday. Outside these hours, the Housemaster’s wife takes over her role.

Accommodation
Students spend two years in the House, studying for their International Baccalaureate. There is a mixture of single and double rooms on each floor. It is the custom of the House that students change rooms every term, with the Lower Sixth occupying the double rooms and having a new room mate each time. We like to maintain the tradition of mixing nationalities in each room. The single rooms are allocated to the Upper Sixth.There are showers and toilets on each section of corridor. A large, modern kitchen provides facilities for the boys to make themselves drinks and snacks and often to cook meals when they are hungry after prep! There is a large central common room, a TV room, a music room and in addition a ‘quiet room’ in which students may choose to study. The House library, which accommodates state-of-the-art computers for the use of the students, is linked to the school’s research and database network and to the internet by wireless connection, providing a supplementary facility to the students’ own laptops and to the extensive school library on the main site.

The central focus of the House is academic study, and to this end there is a formal ‘prep’ period in the students’ own rooms from 19.00 to 21.00. However, there are ample opportunities to relax in the House, making or listening to music, playing football ‘friendlies’ or enjoying a game of pool or table tennis. House trips are also arranged from time to time and there are many opportunities to meet other boarders out of school hours.

Annual House Events
The variety of nationalities in the House is celebrated in our International Club Evening, themed according to a chosen country or region, taking place in the Michaelmas term. There is also a House Ball in March. This latter has become a landmark in the school’s calendar and is a superb black tie occasion. Several Musical Evenings are held at the IC during the year. These give our members the opportunity to entertain fellow boarders in a relaxed atmosphere with their considerable talents ranging from classical piano to a capello singing and pop music. Various social outings, such as paintballing and bowling trips are also organised from time to time.