Boarding

Earlier this year, we released our College Strategic Plan 2024-2208. This plan has a strong focus on four intents:

• Exemplary teachers and staff
• Sustainable resourcing
• Exceptional students futures
• Rich community of service

Overarching our four intents is our overarching mission to provide an education that is nurturing, academic, and provides opportunity. 

Nurture in Boarding 

Our staff are vitally important to our boarding program. Each staff member brings their own personality to the House, and in doing so, represents part of the diversity we celebrate in boarding. Caring for over 100 boarders during the week is busy, but the staff are implicitly and explicitly focused on the needs of our students. At College, we are proud of our pastoral care - from ELC to Year 12, we have a strong pastoral team spanning the day-school and Boarding Houses.

It is hard for our parents to get to know all the staff who are looking after our boarders, so it is good to share a small insight into who they are. This week we celebrate Matt Hill and his personal story and insight into boarding.

Matt Hill: 51 years old (I feel and act 38!).

I’ve been married to Tania for 24 years and have two beautiful children, Jacob, 21, and Abbey, 19.

I started as a MOD in 2022 and haven’t looked back. Working full-time from Monday to Friday in Hamilton and at the Boarding House two nights a week, I will admit I found the first six months tough. But once I got to know the kids and their personalities, it’s been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. I have never found it a chore, and I genuinely look forward to seeing the boys, working with them, and learning from them.

I love my sport and telling the boarders how good I was! I wasn’t, but I love having a captive audience. I will admit to practising my golf swing in the corridor on far too many occasions, and telling my old dad jokes has been fun. 

Every boy is different, and it's amazing to learn what makes them tick and help them shape their futures in a small way. I always remember it’s their home, so I try to respect that. Manners are a big thing for me, and they know it. It’s important to listen to them and let them be themselves. I just want them to enjoy their time and be consistent. They are away from home, so being friendly and making them feel comfortable is important. 

I always say a cheerful good morning to start the day. But I do have to raise my voice occasionally! I know this position's responsibility and hope the kids enjoy my company. I look forward to watching them progress through the years and hearing updates on where life takes them.  

The staff are amazing to work with, and the food is great too!

Academics in Boarding - Listening to our Year 12 Boarders.

Week 6 for our Year 12 boarders (and students in general) can feel like a slump week. We are neither here nor still a way off from finishing, but we are well on the way to finishing. The energy is low, and the motivation is being challenged. They are tired of SACs (School Assessment Coursework) and the pressure that comes with this each time. 

Principal Michael Horne comes to dinner each week, and this week, it was an opportune time to check in with our Year 12s personally, ask how they are travelling, what they require more of, and provide some sage advice. Anna Robertson, Head of Learning and Teaching, was also in attendance, gathering ideas and feedback on how to support our Year 12’s best and prepare for our 2025 cohort. Although it is a challenging time for motivation, we can never rest easy in the pursuit of continually serving our students and bettering ourselves as a school. Staff are always available to provide support.

Opportunity in Boarding - Weekend of cooking

What to do on a weekend? With many of our boarders going home for the weekend, to rest, study, relax, play sport, be with family, and work, the Boarding House provides a rare opportunity for quiet and serenity. It is also a good opportunity to engage in some of your hobbies, such as cooking. Our daughter, Olive did just that last weekend. Olive absolutely loves the girls of Mac House and at times it is difficult to get her away from some of the boarders, apologies to our Headlam girls and Naomi Lee in particular!

Boarder of the Week

The Boarder of the week goes to Lottie Volker. Lottie will undoubtedly be embarrassed by the acknowledgement of Boarder of the Week. Lottie, in the past week and further back, has quietly gone about folding washing for others, being kind to younger boarders, and leading by example in expressing her gratitude. We don’t always have to express the College virtues explicitly, but we still notice you when you do your business quietly. Well done, Lottie. Wonderful leadership to all in the House.

Boarding House bookings for VCE Revision Week 

This is just a reminder to our Unit 3 and 4 students who intend to stay in the boarding house during revision week. Bookings close next Friday, 30 August. To secure your spot, please head online to the website: https://events.humanitix.com/2024-vce-revision-lectures. 

Due to popular demand, the SUNDAY 29 SEPTEMBER BOARDING is now open for bookings.