It was a privilege to hear from a number of wonderful student speakers at Assembly this morning. One of the addresses related to National Boarding Week. National Boarding Week is an initiative of the Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA), which aims for its member schools to hold a variety of activities designed to showcase the role that boarding plays in many independent schools. This year the week included an address at the Senior School Assembly by Boarding Prefect Joseph Woods (12SG), who reflected on his time boarding at the school and how he developed from a very homesick Year 8 student to a confident Year 12 student who will now share lifelong friendships with his fellow boarders. The address also highlighted the importance and value that our boarders place on their families, and Joseph encouraged our day students to be thankful for the time they get to spend with their families each day. Other activities for the week include a sausage sizzle at the Boarding House to raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (our boarding charity), opportunities for day students to tour the boarding facilities during their lunch break, and an AFL 9’s game on the Chapel Close with a 1stBoarding Team playing a 1st Day Student Team. Given that it is National Boarding Week, I thought I would share some insights into our boarding community, the role that boarding plays within the School, and why it has always been such a significant part of our School:
Boarding is often described as an adventure. It is a wonderful experience, where students are able to learn to live alongside a diverse range of people. We aim to make boarding as much like a home as we can, so that each student feels appreciated and valued. We provide a safe, caring and happy environment where students find friendship in a range of work, sport and recreational activities. By providing this range of activities, we hope to provide with boys as many of these opportunities as possible—even if it means that they are always busy! Mr Brad Evans Head of Senior School
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