As Prince George embarks on his first day at Eton College, he joins 250 other 13-year-old boys in entering a unique institution where tradition and a distinct vocabulary shape the daily experience.
Eton, a world unto itself, uses a specific lexicon that new students must quickly learn. Masters are referred to as 'beaks,' lessons as 'divs,' and academic terms like Michaelmas, Lent, and Summer are known as 'halfs.' Mid-morning snacks are 'chambers,' and evening assemblies, despite the name 'prayers,' do not necessarily involve religious observance. 'College' specifically denotes the house for scholars, while other students are 'Oppidans.' Sports fields are named 'Agars' and 'Dutchman's,' and athletic pursuits are divided into 'Dry Bobs' for ground sports like cricket and 'Wet Bobs' for rowing.
Navigating this new environment includes mastering the 'Colours Test,' an examination of the school's history, building names, house colors, and its own specialized dictionary. Traditions like 'capping,' where boys would raise a finger to schoolmasters, have evolved since the 1980s, but much of Eton's distinctiveness remains. The 'Fourth of June,' a celebration of King George III's birthday, is a significant event, though not always held on the actual date. Students will also encounter terms like 'Keeper' for a captain of a sport or club, 'Pop' for prefects, and 'Reader' for a student without a scheduled 'div.'
New students are assigned to houses, each accommodating around 50 boys. These houses are led by House Masters, whose guidance is paramount. Even though practices like 'fagging,' where younger boys served older ones, have been abolished, first-year students, known as 'F Block' (equivalent to Year 9), are expected to show deference to seniors and assist with chores.
Uniforms are a prominent feature of Eton life. Boys are dressed in a distinctive black tailcoat, waistcoat, and pinstriped trousers, often likened to a penguin suit. Tourists frequently photograph students due to their unique attire. As students advance, particularly in their final year, they may have the option to wear stick-up collars and potentially colored waistcoats and bow ties. The uniform is presented as a tradition that connects people, with the advice to wear it without letting it define the wearer.
The school offers a wide array of extracurricular activities, including approximately 80 clubs or 'societies' covering diverse topics. Participation in sports is also a key component, with unique games like the 'Wall Game'—a rugby scrum against a wall—and the 'Field Game,' a hybrid of rugby and football. New students must also pass a swimming test in their first week, involving being thrown into a pool fully clothed.
Students also have access to performance spaces like the Farrer Theatre and a recording studio. The school pub, 'Tap,' is for sixth-formers. Academically, there is an emphasis on challenging work, with 'rips'—where teachers physically tear up poor work—serving as a disciplinary measure. Lateness to lessons can result in 'Tardy,' requiring early morning reporting. Beyond the standard curriculum, students are assigned homework outside the syllabus, intended to foster independent thought.
The Eton experience, originating as an institution for educating poor scholars, encourages students to remember their privilege and the responsibility that comes with it. The advice for new students emphasizes making friends, learning from mistakes, and maintaining connections with family, acknowledging that the challenges and experiences of Eton shape their future readiness.