Boarding House

Boarder Mentoring Program

This week, we launched the Boarding Mentoring Program. A connected community in boarding is key to success, and a way to build a connected community is to focus on the important relationships between boarders. 

At College we have a culture of senior students helping and mentoring our younger boarders. This is evident in our House program at the day-school and the coaching programs through sports, such as hockey and basketball.  So, it was a logical step to extend this approach throughout the Boarding House. When I initially proposed the idea, I was amazed by the response. We had 16 mentors in Years 10-11 who wanted to step up and be there for our younger boarders in Years 7-9.

We were excited to have our first conversation this week about the importance of mentoring and what this means for a flourishing community in boarding. Mentors are keen to build authentic, genuine, and long-lasting relationships with our younger boarders, making them feel that they have an older brother or sister who is there to help them and available to listen at any time. 

The first steps were taken: meeting mentees and starting the mentoring journey. Term 4 will see us regularly meet and build those relationships between our senior and junior boarders. This program will not only benefit the mentees, but will also build confidence, leadership and communication in our senior boarders for years to come. 

Weekend Activities

What a weekend it was last week, the wind was blowing, and the cold blast made for indoor activities! On Saturday, we opened the Geoff Handbury Sports Centre and had a ‘friendly’ competition of volleyball, badminton, and some soccer. With the music playing and the games becoming more and more competitive, I was amazed by our boarders and their level of skill, strategy, and sportsmanship. In particular, well done to Yong Seoung Ly and Dominic Wong. And a big thank you to our GAP students, Caycee and Eve, for helping out.

For Sunday, it was more of a relaxing afternoon cooking up an old favourite of pikelets with a variety of toppings. Thank you to our Houseparent, Lise Lowe, for her wonderful work with our Mac House girls, I know they certainly enjoyed the rewards of their efforts.

Reminders:

Sunday 1 October, is the designated day for boarders to travel back to the Boarding House. The Boarding House will be open from midday.