What I miss about home, and what I gain from boarding?

Over the past weeks I have been looking at boarding through PERMA; Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishments (Positive Education), and this week I thought about the positive education concept of fixed and growth mindsets.

There is a lot to be said about what boarding can bring, (I am biased here!). But, it’s also important to acknowledge what it is not and that we all miss things that are not here. Firstly, boarding doesn’t have mum or dad living with you. Yes we have mums, dads, grandpa’s, grandma’s, aunts and uncle’s but it’s just not the same as back home. Boarding provides the independence adolescents desire, whilst providing space to acknowledge and appreciate what we have back at home. When we move away from home and into boarding the benefit is two-fold; we gain something important and unique to ourselves, whilst we also begin to understand the importance of those things we miss back at home.

Leaving behind those things that you miss at home is difficult, especially when we first start boarding, but changing our mindset from what do I miss to a what could I gain is a good strategy to see the positive side of things. This fixed/growth mindset is popular in Positive Education and is all about being flexible in our thinking so we can move forward rather than be stuck in a negative pattern of thinking. Our recent exams could also be one of those opportunities to see the ‘gains’ from exams. I recently spoke with a boarder, and a student of mine, who was initially disappointed with their exam grade. This was quickly turned around when they said that they had studied ‘a bit’ and that ‘at least I know I need to study more to get a better grade, practice a few of more of those exam questions, and ask about the stuff I don’t know’. A great growth mindset reflection focusing on the future and what can change rather than not.

Boarding builds our natural growth mindset, useful for all walks of life, to appreciate what we have or don’t have, but also to acknowledge what we can gain when we step outside our comfort zone.

Missing home is common amongst our boarders, but there is also a lot to gain, especially making lifelong friends.

I asked some boarders what I miss, but what I gain:

I miss my family; but I gain a diverse group of friendships
I miss my bed and dog; but I get more assistance with study and more friendship groups
I miss my family; but I like being with people all the time
I miss my family; but I get motivation to study
I miss my cat; but I have a social life outside of school
I miss my bed and dog; but I gain personal independence
I miss my family and dogs; but I gain my own responsibility, and study at the library and kicking the footy with mates
I miss my mum’s home cooked meals; but I need to be forced to study and have definitely made have lifelong friendships

Thank you Elizabeth Munro

This week our Formal Dinner was in honour of our College nurse, Elizabeth Munro. Elizabeth has been with College for seven years, and during this time she has tended to our boarders, alongside Rachel. Elizabeth is finishing up at the end of this Term and Rachel at the end of Term 3.

Elizabeth was our guest of honour, and we took this opportunity to present a small gift of our appreciation and heard from Elizabeth about her career and her time at College, in particular the Boarding House.

Our Formal Dinner was the perfect time for us to pause, reflect, and appreciate everything our College nurses do for us. Over the years, they have been there each and every morning and afternoon, tending to the needs of our boarders. They provide guidance for our staff and are a vital cog in the operation of the entire boarding school. Elizabeth's story reflected on her days when she began nursing, her time in theatre, and then her experience in horticulture and the dairy industry. Not only is Elizabeth a nurse, but she's also a qualified midwife, an avid knitter, and has a keen eye for further adventures all around Australia in a camper van. We truly appreciated Elizabeth's reflection on her time at College and her life journey. Wishing you every success in the future, Elizabeth, and thank you once again from the bottom of our hearts for everything you have done.

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