Walker House

The Friends’ School has recently appointed Jason McDonald as their new Director of Boarding from 2023 onwards. Jason has been at The Friends’ School since 2018 and most recently has been the Head of the Mathematics Faculty for the past 3 years.  

While at University in Rockhampton (Queensland) in 2002, Jason and his wife first experienced boarding, where they both worked as residential supervisors for the Rockhampton Grammar School. When the role of Director came up at The Friends’ School in late 2022, both he and his wife were very excited and keen to reconnect with the boarding fraternity. Over the last 3 years Jason has worked as an Assistant Director at Walker House student accommodation, which reignited his passion for boarding. Providing a caring, nurturing and supportive home away from home is his main focus, where students can achieve academic excellence.  

“You learn so much from boarding that you don’t at school. The life skills that students will take with them are invaluable and sets them up to transition into adulthood with minimal change and feeling less anxious. We not only develop our Boarders academically, but we also develop them as people, to think clearly, act with integrity, make decisions for themselves, be sensitive to the needs of others and the environment, be strong in service and hold a global perspective,” he said.

"My family and I are looking forward to supporting the children instilling insight, strength and courage to look within and strive for a fairer, better society. We are a core unit of 3. I have loved the opportunity to move into Walker House, where I live onsite with my wife and son."

Walker House Team

The Boarding House staff are responsible for the welfare and supervision of boarding students in Years 7 to 12 in the Boarding House, during meals, in supervised study times and on out-of-school activities. They work actively and positively to contribute to the provision of quality care and education to all boarders in our care.  

Back Row, L-R: Adam Blackburn, Aaron Davey, Sam Norton, Anthony Petty

Front Row, L-R: Jason McDonald, Mari Ribeiro, Deb Jackson, Maryanne Wylie

Absent: Agneta McDonald, Georgia Bentley, Sarah Gray, Theo Ellingsen, Max Powell, Rob Morgan, Mark Zeng

By Jason McDonald, Director of Boarding, Walker House

Term 1 has seen 14 new boarders join the Walker House family and enjoying the many activities offered, both during the week and on weekends. Here is a little journey of 2023 so far...

Miles, Akira, Elise and Florence seeing what Walker House has to offer. Welcome to your new "home"!

A new year, lots of new boarders, a getting to know you getting to know me game is a must

Deep down they don’t mind having their ‘first day of school’ photo taken (much)

Anthony, one of our supervisors, taking the kids and his dogs for a Friday evening walk. Eirin, Florence and Gideon enjoying the great outdoors.

We love celebrating birthdays in Walker and this is Eirin’s special day.  The birthday boarder also gets to choose what they have for dinner!

Boarders love shooting hoops in their downtime or playing games

The twilight markets down at Sandy Bay beach are not a bad way to spend a Friday night, and you can even make some cool photographs (this was taken using the timer on the camera, not bad timing)

Study time is part of the routine during the evening.  

Co-curricular sports is also very popular in the afternoon during the week.  Here is an  entire senior girls team of boarders doing their thing.  3 wins in a row for them at this stage before losing the last couple - they loved it though!

Eirin, Lily and Miles got into the Spirit dancing the Zorba at the ESTIA Greek Festival.

Swimming at the Friends Health & Fitness during the evening has become quite popular.  

Some prize winners for a writing competition, well done girls!

The Athletics carnival always brings out a bit of fun, competitiveness and some real athletes

Warming up for the Term 2 Badminton competition

Alice teaching Will some soccer skills

We are very lucky to have such a great sports hall on our doorstep.  Some badminton, basketball or volleyball are very popular on the weekends

A fantastic day was had at ZooDoo.  Feeding animals, learning interesting facts and enjoying the last of our warm sunny days. 

Dessert was very popular on this night

Dinner duty is never loved, but deep down they don’t mind, especially when you can play a bit of music and have some fun with your friends.  

Relay for Life is another extra-curricular activity boarders got involved in.

Practice Fire drills are a must. Let’s just hope we never have to do this for real.  

Mini Golf…….oops, it’s in the drink…..and…..can anyone see my ball?

And that’s a wrap. Bring on Term 2...

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