Theft is pretty well inevitable in all institutional life − in any school, at any given moment, there is likely to be a thief or two about. Petty pilfering (of pens, watches, calculators, cash and items of clothing) is especially frequent in day schools (the swag can be got away easily). Pupils can be very careless with their belongings and changing-rooms are easy targets. Naming children’s property helps (particularly uniform items that are identical to hundreds of others). And do not let your child take large amounts of cash or other valuables to school; if this cannot be avoided, make sure it is handed to a member of staff for safe keeping (and that your child knows which one).