Boarding

The Importance of Getting it Right 

An old Principal of mine always used to quote “We need to get it right. If you get the small things well done, the big things will look after themselves”. This is especially true when referring to the life of a boarding student.

There are examples everywhere you look where patience, persistence and effort pay off. This can be on the sporting field, in our employment or education, working on the land and in everyday life.

In Boarding we are governed by rules and regulations that are ultimately are in place so all boarders experience safe, fun and meaningful educational and life skills and experiences. The structures that are set in place are there to guide the everyday routines in boarding. 

What a Year 7 boarder does on a daily basis has lots of similarities to that of a Year 12 boarder. Everyone needs to attend meals, have leave approved, and work during Prep time, but there are a range compulsory and voluntary options for all boarders to consider during the day. This may include going to the gym, going downtown, kicking the ball with your mates, sorting out the washing, completing duties or simply watching TV or gaming.  The skill is to make positive choices consistently that will ultimately result in positive outcomes.

I watched the Senior Athletic Performance Group train hard all summer when it could have been easy to opt out. Because of their commitment, I was able to witness them become more skillful, more athletic, and develop a more cohesive brand of Rugby; I have witnessed the boarders during Prep time actively seeking help from the Prep Supervisors, and as a result, achieve grades that were previously beyond them. These are just a couple of examples of our boarders making good choices and doing the right thing.

The pay-off for doing the right thing at the right time consistently and going above and beyond for yourself and to help others can be huge and long lasting. Getting it right and being in the right place at the right time sets us up for life-long good habits that are transferable in a range of contexts.

Boarding does have structures rules and routines, but ultimately, “If it is to be, it is up to me.”