What are 'buffer' and 'buns'?

[DesignMyRoom]

In the context of a private school- on the timetable it says 'buffer', but not first thing in the morning, in the afternoon. Is that break? Or does it have meaning?
Same with 'buns'- it that an afternoon snack?

Google is not helping. I went to a private school but we didn't have either on the timetable so I've no idea if they mean something specific.

It's obviously something specific to that school. Maybe start a thread with the school name in the title in case anyone has a child there?

Why not just call the school and ask them?

I wanted to see if it was a generic term that's used for something before I asked the school. Someone may turn around and say 'oh yes, it's a well known term for x'.

Buffer sounds like it’s time to get to next lesson.

I mean it’s allowing a buffer.

Our prep has buns. It's just snacks at break. Usually fruit followed by biscuits/ doughnut / flapjack. Buffer might be a break without snacks? Is it the same time every day? Do you have any contact with parents already at the school? Otherwise ask the registrar.

Agree with @Legoninjago1. It's most likely a way of differentiating breaks.

They both sound great. I love stuff like this. 'Can't believe it's only buffer, I'm starving. It's ages till buns'.

@BarnDance

They both sound great. I love stuff like this. 'Can't believe it's only buffer, I'm starving. It's ages till buns'.

Sounds like Billy Bunter at Greyfriars!

I worked in a boarding prep that had buns. It was a supper snack of either biscuits or the cake from the previous day’s break time. The older 3 years used to have it when younger ones went to bed.

or the cake from the previous day’s break time

So they would have cake at playtime in the morning and then the same cake at sort of supper time the next day and that's 'buns'?

Sounds like a good system. Poor OP's ds isn't getting anything at buffer though!

And “Congo”, do you think that really means they do the Congo? Before Buffer.

I work in a private boarding school
Buns - afternoon snack (tiny slice of melon and a biscuit or small slice of cake).
Congo - music or singing practice
Buffer - no idea we don’t have that.

@Camdenish congo is congregational singing at some boarding schools.

Haha ! Love this thread. Yes my boys have Congo on a Friday where the whole school gets together to learn new hymns. We had it at my school too so I was prepared but many parents are as baffled as you!

Chambers and Messing...

Turns out congo is on the timetable too! Never noticed before

Yes, mess = supper / dinner.

Wouldn’t you be disappointed to send your DC to school thinking they did the Congo every week to find out it was only singing?

@Camdenish

Wouldn’t you be disappointed to send your DC to school thinking they did the Congo every week to find out it was only singing?

@Camdenish As a member of staff I was disappointed to find out I wasn’t going to be doing the Congo!

@Camdenish

Wouldn’t you be disappointed to send your DC to school thinking they did the Congo every week to find out it was only singing?

Laughing so much 😂

The Mount school in York has something called 'choc break'. I assume it's to do with the school being Quaker and the old Terry's factory (Quaker family) being just down the road.

The most impenetrable school-related comment anyone has ever made to me was a colleague who remarked, "Immy's playing lax for MGC this weekend."

Mmmm, choc break.

Imogen’s playing lacrosse for Melbourne Girls Club this weekend. Natch.

Very well done @Camdenish! It was actually Malvern Girls' College, but the rest is correct

Of course, it was Malvern !