If you want to say ‘it is quarter past nine’ then that’s Es ist viertel nach neun. And half past, in German, you actually say half to. So half past nine is half to ten. Es ist halb zehn.

It is compulsory for all members of Staff to attend Family prayers in the Main Hall at a quarter-past nine. Your duties resume at half-past nine when you should take the young Master of the house ...