Walker House
Returning to Friends' and the Walker House Community
Hello, my name is Matt Dixon, and I am the Acting Director of Boarding at Walker House for 2025 while Jason McDonald is on leave. Having previously spent seven years (2016–2023) in this role, returning to The Friends’ School and Walker House was an easy decision when the opportunity arose.
For the previous two years, I lived in Canberra with my family, working as a House Coordinator at Daramalan College. I loved my time there, the job, the community, and the lifestyle that Canberra offered. Professionally and personally, it was an opportunity for growth, pushing me outside of my comfort zone. However, the pull to return to Hobart was strong. The chance to once again be part of the Friends’ community, reconnect with familiar faces, and welcome new students was something I couldn’t pass up. Stepping back into Walker House has reminded me of what makes this place so special: its values, its deep sense of belonging, and the unwavering support for each student’s journey.
At its heart, Walker House is more than just a boarding facility; it’s a diverse and dynamic home for students from Tasmania, interstate, and around the world. We are privileged to have boarders from Canberra, as well as international students from Germany, China, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Japan. This cultural richness creates a unique and supportive environment where students learn from one another, develop lifelong friendships, and grow both academically and socially.
For those unfamiliar with boarding life, it’s often described as a mix between an extended camp with friends and a large family home; both descriptions capture the spirit of Walker House. While students enjoy the privacy of their own rooms, the real magic happens in the communal spaces, where they come together to play Xbox, 8-ball, or table tennis, share meals, and simply enjoy each other’s company. Living in a boarding house fosters independence, resilience, and a strong sense of camaraderie. At the same time, our dedicated staff and tutors ensure that every student has the academic and pastoral support they need to thrive.
Returning to Friends' has reinforced what I already knew: this is a school and a community that truly values its students, encouraging them to be themselves and supporting them every step of the way. I’m excited for the year ahead and look forward to helping our boarders make the most of their time at Walker House.
Below are some thoughts on boarding from two of our current boarding students.
Alex Syka (Year 12) from the East Coast of Tasmania
What made you choose The Friends’ School and its boarding house for your studies in Hobart?
I chose Friends' for numerous reasons. Primarily, I enjoyed the privilege of private rooms where students were able to have their own space to live in, decorate, and relax. The boarding house’s placement relative to the School was convenient. It was nearby but not directly linked to the Senior School campus, it had its own private space with a yard and garden. The setup of the house, its staff and the rules in the handbook are all clearly illustrated and explained. It has always been an easy task as a boarder, both new and now as a senior, to navigate the rules and regulations of the house in a manner that is positive for everyone.
How did you feel when you first arrived at the boarding house, and how have you settled in since then?
When I first arrived at the house I was a nervous mess. Moving away from home at the age of 12 was not an easy task. It took me months to properly settle in and adjust to my new routine. Even now as a person who has been attending the boarding house for five years, I still become homesick on occasion. However, the support I have received and continue to receive from staff, close friends and my family has made the struggles of these adjustments eminently easier. Being in my last year of Senior School, I see the routine boarding provides in terms of dinner, study periods and bedtimes assist me in organising my life through managing school and private demands.
What do you enjoy most about living in the boarding house?
The best aspect of the boarding house is the friends I have made there. I have a small congregation of companions who have been my support network for a long time. The nature of the friendships you make inside a boarding house are special; they are familiar. Those people are my substitute family five days a week and we rely on each other as we would on our parents or siblings.
How has being part of The Friends’ School community helped you adapt to life in Hobart?
Before I moved to Friends’ I lived in the rural town of St Mary’s. Moving to the city was a busy but exciting transition. I can now navigate around Hobart CBD with ease. Small acts of independence I didn’t realise I was so insufficient at, such as getting food alone, talking to staff in shops, managing to catch buses and navigating the labyrinth of Hobart’s public transport are all skills I have acquired because of boarding.
Can you share a memorable experience or moment that stands out during your time in boarding?
Whilst there are many fabulous times I had with many different people, one of my favourite memories was made last year when a fellow boarder and I stayed at the house over the weekend for a service event we had. The morning after the event we went out for breakfast, wandered around town to the Salamanca markets and snoozed in the sun in Franklin Square. There is nothing particularly riveting about the memory or the tribulations of that day, but there was a unique sense of lethargic tranquillity that came with the freedom and independence of directing ourselves. I don’t usually stay over weekends, but when the opportunity arises I often go out for the day with friends. I always enjoy the sense of personal responsibility that is encouraged and nurtured as a young adult at boarding.
How has living in the boarding house helped you grow academically and personally?
Academically, boarding has been an invaluable tool for helping me manage my studies. Not only are study periods enforced but tutors are always available. I continuously have help from teachers of a range of disciplines, so if I struggle with work there are many people to ask. My personal growth in boarding has been substantive. When I reflect upon who I was at the beginning of my boarding journey and who I am now there is a massive discrepancy. This is all in a positive manner in terms of how I relate to others, manage stress and share my thoughts and feelings.
What’s one thing you’d tell a student considering joining Friends’ as a boarder?
I would tell the student that boarding is a rewarding challenge. There is no doubt that it is difficult for young people to physically detach themselves from their families and homes. There is also no doubt, however, that the ability to perform this act has inspiring flow-on effects later in life. Managing yourself, whether this be emotionally, academically or simply in the continuous social spaces of Senior School, is a skill that is innate for no one; it has to be learned. The dynamics of boarding life force you to adapt to these challenging aspects of independence at a younger age than is typical, but that’s to say you receive more practice.
Annabelle Pong (Year 11) - International student from Hong Kong
What made you choose The Friends’ School and its boarding house for your studies in Hobart?
I chose The Friends' School for my studies and the boarding house because mainly my eldest brother is studying at UTAS in Hobart and there are single rooms with built in sinks that made me feel interested at first. Then I was fascinated by the excellent academic reputation of the School and the variety of facilities they provide. On top of that, the interview with the former boarders also encouraged me to join the school community with the positive comments they had for living at the boarding house.
How did you feel when you first arrived at the boarding house, and how have you settled in since then?
I was anxious and frustrated when I first arrived at the boarding house as I was new to everything. I wasn’t sure about the boarding house rules and had no friends I could talk to. Also having to leave my parents for study was a major hardship. It was difficult to overcome since I’ve been dependent on them for all my years living in Hong Kong. I had to buy groceries, wash and make all the decisions for myself that I wasn't used to doing before. It has been 2 years since then. I’ve built friendships both at school and the boarding house. With the help from the supportive staff and friendly companions at the boarding house I’m now confident and comfortable staying there.
What do you enjoy most about living in the boarding house?
I definitely enjoy staying at the boarding house with my friends. It is always fun to have friends around. It makes it really convenient hanging out with them. It gives me more time to do lots of fun things with friends such as baking, playing games and doing silly things that we are not usually able to do at home. Living in the boarding house helps create more exciting memories fulfilling me with a colourful special teenage life compared to others.
How has being part of The Friends’ School community helped you adapt to life in Hobart?
Being a part of the school community provides me with a sense of belonging that I’m now living in Hobart. It also allows me to build connections with people and they would tell me more about the place. The School educates me about the culture and traditions of Hobart through Gathering and assemblies. With the experience at school, it makes it easier for me to adapt to life in Hobart.
Can you share a memorable experience or moment that stands out during your time in boarding?
There were lots of memorable experiences living at the boarding house. Life there is always fun. The most memorable time was when my friends and I taught other people at the boarding house how to play mahjong. It was a really meaningful time to exchange our cultures when living in a place with lots of people from different countries. Watching other people having fun and comfortable learning our culture makes me feel special and included.
How has living in the boarding house helped you grow academically and personally?
Living with fellow friends at the boarding house is different compared to living at home with my family. Family members will always tolerate anything I do. I could be as dependent as I wanted and not care about a single thing. While living with friends, I tend to be more aware of what’s happening and contribute in sharing opinions. I learned more about myself and what I had to improve to be the best version of me. I also learnt a lot about proxemics and mutual respect between people which navigates me on how to deal with different social situations and builds better relationships without discomfort. It definitely helps improve my social skills on how to co-exist with different people. The boarding house always has a routine for us to follow. There is a 1.5hr study session every Monday to Thursday. From being really unorganised and easily distracted, I gradually got used to the structure and routine. Now I am able to concentrate easily and have developed a habit of studying under any circumstances.
What’s one thing you’d tell a student considering joining Friends’ as a boarder?
Living in a boarding house definitely has tons of benefits towards personal growth. I would strongly encourage students who are considering living in the boarding house to join our community as I believe that it is a wonderful opportunity to learn about independence and social skills. It is also an excellent place for students to pursue their academic goals.
Matt Dixon - Acting Director of Residence