Boarding

Building a social group builds our resilience

Last week I spoke of developing independence in our adolescence. This week, I’d like to highlight the development of our social circle to build resilience.

Resilience, albeit complex, can be simply put as overcoming adversity. When we think about this, it then requires adversity (a challenge that is personal to the individual) and a way of coping or protecting yourself from adversity. We overcome adversity in all matters of ways, and it is generally a very personal attribute. Not all boarders see the same adversity in the same way, and it would be crazy to think that all boarders have the same coping mechanisms/skills to draw upon. 

As mentioned last week, developing a sense of autonomy and confidence is certainly a great protective mechanism against challenges, and boarding can help accelerate this quality. But it is not the only way we can build resilience. As well as confidence and autonomy, boarding can build students’ social group, which is also a protective mechanism; school, boarding, family, clubs, teams, etc. all go into the kitbag of protective skills in overcoming challenges. For example, when an adolescent faces adversity, they may share this with others, watch friends and learn from how they overcome it, problem-solve with others, or ask for help in overcoming the challenge. No matter how big or small the adversity, there is no doubt that a strong social group helps us all overcome adversity (even for us adults!). For boarders, the challenge of missing home, not doing well in academics, the stress of an upcoming assessment, camp or excursion, or not knowing where to go or what to do can all be overcome if we have the ability to make and create social groups at any level. 

Learning how to make friends, work with others, and then use this to overcome adversity with our social group is such a vital tool for becoming more resilient, and boarding provides a great opportunity to enhance this.

Nathan Lee (Year 8) - My Boarding School Life

I really like boarding school. The food here is awesome, which is a nice bonus. Each meal is thoughtfully prepared, and there’s always a variety of delicious options to choose from. It’s one of the things that makes boarding life feel a bit like home.

Boarding school life helps you build resilience in many ways. You learn to adapt and make the best of things. Whether it's dealing with homesickness, managing a busy schedule, or learning to live with others, boarding school teaches you to be strong and flexible in different situations.

Leaving home was tough at first, but once you get used to the Boarding House, it gets a lot easier. The initial days were hard, with many moments of missing home. However, as time passed, the Boarding House started feeling like a second home, and the transition became smoother.

Making friends is pretty easy because there's always someone around who likes the same things you do. The boarding environment brings together a mixed group of students, and you quickly find people who share your interests. Whether it’s sports, music or any other hobby, there's always someone to connect with.

The hardest time for me was at the start when I missed home a lot. Those early days were filled with a mix of excitement and sadness. Missing family and the comfort of home was tough, but it also pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace new experiences.

Living in the Boarding House teaches you important stuff, like keeping your room tidy and staying organised. These small daily habits build up to create a sense of responsibility and self-discipline. It’s a great preparation for the future, teaching you how to manage your own space and time effectively.

My best mate here is Lachlan Brear. We've gotten really close through all our shared experiences. Lachlan has been a constant support, making my boarding school journey even better.

Nominating roommates each term is really important. Your roommates play a big role in your daily life, so it is best to be with someone you share interests and get along with. Thankfully I found a great group of people to share my space with.

The best part of my day is waking up at 6:30 a.m. to claim a good shower and be first in line. Sure, it's a big sacrifice to wake up 30 minutes before we have to, but it's rewarding when you have a great hot shower to start the day.

When I leave boarding, I'm sure I will really miss the hot breakfasts. They’re a great way to start the day. The smell of fresh food in the morning is something I look forward to. It’s not just about the food; it’s the whole experience of starting the day with friends over a great meal. Thanks, Josh.