Fernbank Boarding 2025
Transition to Fernbank 2024/2025
As we prepare to welcome Joanna (Jo) in Term 3, 2024, we are excited to provide further insights into our new model of boarding that will deliver an outstanding student experience. The purpose-built facility Fernbank will support a genuine feeling of home for our students.
We look forward to embarking on this exciting journey and witnessing the positive impact it will have on our students' lives. The transition, under Jo's leadership, aims to create a nurturing environment where students can develop holistically. The new model focuses on fostering a strong sense of community, supporting academic engagement, and promoting healthy lifestyle habits among boarders. It is built on the pillars of holistic well-being: healthy sleep patterns, balanced nutrition, and regular exercise.
The transition will occur in several carefully planned phases to ensure a smooth and effective implementation.
Phase 1: Community Engagement (Term 3, 2024)
Jo is looking forward to immersing herself into the school community. During this phase, she will conduct a series of meet-and-greet sessions with students, parents, and staff to understand the current dynamics and learn about our boarding community.
Phase 2: Pastoral and Lifestyle Enhancements (Term 4, 2024)
Building on the insights gained during Phase 1, Jo will review planned programs for the new boarding model and integrate further enhancements to the boarding experience that incorporate elements of physical education, nutrition, and wellness. Drawing from her extensive background in physical education and coaching netball and basketball, she will design programs that encourage active living and teamwork.
Phase 3: Infrastructure and Support Systems (end of Term 4 2024 - ready for commencement Term 1 2025)
Upgrades to the boarding facilities will be delivered at the beginning of Term 1 2025. No disruption will be made to the current boarders. These upgrades will include refreshed and rejuvenated furnishings, additional bathroom facilities, long-awaited air conditioning, and dedicated spaces for study. Our girls are providing input on the design and use of space through focussed workshops.
- Fernbank will include common rooms for Year 12, Years 10 and 11 in a senior common room and a junior common room for Years 7 to 9
- Year 12 will continue to reside in single rooms with Years 7 to 11 mostly in twin rooms sharing with a friend and changing each term
Additionally, a robust pastoral support system will be established, to guide and assist students in their wellbeing journey. Small cohort mentoring will form a central part of the boarding program informed by current best practice in girls’ development.
We look forward to talking further at the upcoming Parents of Boarders meeting.
Boarding Transition Student Workshop
We held our second workshop focussed on the upgrade of Fernbank. A team of students representing each year group met with Ms Danvers and Dr Lang to discuss feedback from our last workshop that has been actioned into the plan moving into Fernbank and to work together as we make further improvements and decision on the interiors that the girls would be excited to see.
The group explored the functional use of the spaces and their preferences. The girls enjoyed exploring some proposed suggestions.
