Boarding 

In concluding our unique experience of Term 2, it is time to take a breath and reflect upon what we can be grateful. The adversity of COVID-19 and its impact upon boarding has been nothing less than a rollercoaster experience. As we finish this week, I’ve been reminded of how resilient our children are, the strong connection we have as a boarding family, and the pride we can take in knowing our boarding house is proven to be a truly supportive, caring and loving home away from home. I wish to thank all our boarding families for their support of one another, in particular our South East South Australia community. I would also like to extend my gratitude to our boarders themselves. Seeing our boarders each day is a privilege, and I wish each of our boarders a safe and enjoyable break, returning with the enthusiasm and energy after time with family and friends. Be safe over the break, be good to your parents, and take some time to relax and re-energise.

A message from our Heads of House - Macdonald House - Gabbi Bensch

As we near the end of what has been an unprecedented Term 2 for all of us who are part of College boarding community, I would like to acknowledge our Macdonald House girls and their families for the amazing job they have done throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Transitioning back to boarding and adjusting to their new normal is an unsurmountable challenge, and they all have traversed this with flying colours.

Whilst we are currently operating with a much lower capacity of girls there is an amazingly positive vibe in Mac House, and we look forward  to welcoming most of our girls back to boarding by Term Three because we cannot wait to be back to a full house with both our interstate and international girls as soon as is possible. When we return at the start of Term 3 we will reflect on the many positives that remote learning has given us and look forward to the opportunities that a return to boarding brings. I for one am excited for the second semester of 2020 and on behalf of the wonderful Mac House boarding staff, wish our boarders a safe and restful winter holiday break.

A enormous appreciation must go to all of our incredible boarding staff for their continued care and dedication to our girls whilst away from the boarding house, through individual messages of support, blogs, zoom meetings, care packages, phone/text messages, letters, gifts and all the extra behind the scenes COVID-19 duties put in place to ensure part of our boarding family could return for the final weeks of Term 2. Mac House is looking amazing and eagerly awaiting the return of our wonderful boarding families – we look forward to seeing you soon.

Head of Speirs House - Nick Palmer

We have been wonderfully inspired by the positive attitudes and thoughtful approach to our ‘new normal’ in Speirs House. At almost every turn we have seen the boys offer a helping hand, interact with each other with support and kindness. The boys have fitted with the new routines and readily shown their maturity. Although we have restrictions in place for a number of extra activities the boys have been, overall, sleeping well and focusing on academic success. A few boys have used some spare time to hone guitar playing skills, practise their basketball and dig into their favourite books. 

The MOD staff have been especially important to us over the past few weeks as they have had to carry out extra duties to ensure the boys are supported. A big thank-you to Brian, Jim, Justin and Gavan for their tireless consideration of the boys and their needs. Also, thanks goes to my counterpart Gabbi Bensch, DOB Andrew Monk and house mothers Lise and Liz for their consistent help making Speirs work as well as it does. I’m very proud to be working in such a supportive and caring environment and am very thankful to all the families and students who have expressed their appreciation. Let’s hope, in the not too distant future, we can all function with some normality and celebrate a return to the active life we know and cherish.  

A message from our Boarding Captains

It has been very exciting welcoming some of our boarders from Years 7 to 12 over the last month and we are looking forward to hopefully getting all of our boarders back next term. The first six weeks of the term were challenging for us as a boarding family, however, despite spending this period of time apart we are confident in that we were able to remain connected through our weekly online meetings that were held. It was great to still be able to see each other in some form and we are grateful for all those who were able to join in, including our wonderful MODs. 

Following our return next term, we will be implementing strategies to get everyone back together and involved and strengthen the unique bond between all of our boarders. This will involve various fun and engaging house activities such as table tennis and basketball competitions. 

Once again, we can’t wait to be back together in the boarding house next term. 

Lizzie Duver, Ben McCure (Macdonald and Speirs House Captains)

Returning for Term 3 and Boarding Options in Term 3

In preparing for our return in Term 3 our Boarding House will be open on Monday 13th of July from midday. Our Heads of House, House Mums, and I will be present to assist all boarders to settle back into the rhythm of boarding, and enjoy our first dinner together at 6pm. Parents are welcome to bring their son or daughter to the House; however, they will have to remain at the carpark area and not enter the House. For all South Australia boarders our bus will arrive at the Casterton-Penola border crossing on Monday 13th of July at 4pm (Victorian time).

Boarding in Term 3 will only be offered to full-time boarders as, due to our COVID-19 restrictions, we are unable to offer casual boarding options. We do hope this will change soon though. If families are interested in our full-time boarding option, Susie Holcombe and I are more than happy to be show you around our boarding house via a face-time call or zoom meeting. Please contact Susie Holcombe (holcombes@hamiltoncollege.vic.edu.au) or me (amonk@hamiltoncollege.vic.edu.au).

Andrew Monk