The Boarding Buzz

Administration News 

Boarding Leaders

Our 2023 boarding leaders were recently chosen by a vote in each house.  With Ava Smith and Darcy Barrett leading the group, the successful candidates were:

  • Anchorage: Fraser King and Craig Wiech 
  • Endeavour: Matilda Norrish and Katelin Woithe
  • Eclipse: Hamish Medway and Steven Wiech
  • Breaksea: Kobie Featherstone and Ella Main

Our ten leaders will meet with Mr Keatch and Chef Nick Harvey fortnightly on a Thursday night to share ideas from each of the houses and work towards common goals to enhance the boarding experience for all boarders.

'Socks & Kicks'

Next Thursday, 23 March is a fundraising day for Camfield House.  Students can wear crazy socks and any closed-in shoes on that day. To participate, students will need a gold coin donation for the socks dress-up plus gold coins for a cake stall.  There will also be a Staff vs Students soccer game for all to enjoy.

Proceeds from the Camfield House fundraiser will go towards supporting their Cambodian sponsor child, Kosal.  The school has a number of fundraising days throughout the year, so it's a good idea for our boarders to bring some gold coins to boarding for these occasions. 

Year Twelve Rugby Polos

Our Year Twelve boarders received their rugby polos last week and they look great.   

Our Year Eleven students can look forward to getting theirs early next year.

Mrs Dianne Franzinelli | Administration Officer - Boarding

Wellbeing Support

As mentioned in the last Boarding Buzz I have now met with Shona from Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) - Albany at the hospital. She is an Alumni of Grammar and keen to support us in boarding. Please see some helpful flyers that we are putting up around the houses, so our boarders can reach out and read when they choose. 

 

I have purchased these from SELFLOVEWITHGRACE for you to use.

 

Window of Tolerance Worksheet, trauma therapy, social-emotional learning, therapy worksheet.  Download here.

 

Mental Health Printable Therapy Handouts for Kids & Teens - Coping Skills 

Download here. 

REACH Boarding Management System

The Reach Boarding Management System manages all leave at Great Southern Grammar.  

 

It is our expectation that boarders will always sign out of the house, no matter where they are going, and sign back in when they return.

 

Off-campus leave that requires approval from either a Parent/Guardian or Deputy Head of Boarding.

 

Overnight Leave

This is leave that requires a student to stay overnight, away from the boarding house, either during the week or on the weekend.  The Parent/Guardian must first approve the leave before being further approved by the Head of Boarding House.  Boarders need to return by 5.30pm on Sunday night.

 

This type of leave is to be submitted by 8.00pm on the Thursday prior to the weekend.

 

Years Seven to Nine Day Leave

This is a period of leave from the boarding house that does not occur overnight. 

For boarders in Years Seven to Nine, this leave needs to be approved by a parent/guardian and should be either with them or an approved host.   This leave also needs approval by the Head of Boarding House. 

 

This type of leave is to be submitted by 8.00pm on the Thursday prior to the weekend.

 

Years Ten to Twelve Day Leave (1.5 to 5 Hours)

This is a period of leave from the boarding house that does not occur overnight but is between 1.5 hours and 5 hours long. Boarders in Years Ten to Twelve need approval from their Head of Boarding House. All boarders need to return by 5.30pm.

 

This type of leave is to be submitted by 8.00pm on the Thursday prior to the weekend.

 

Years Ten to Twelve Day Leave (> 5 Hours)

This is a period of leave from the boarding house that does not occur overnight and is longer than 5 hours.  Boarders in Years Ten to Twelve need approval from their parents or guardians as well as their Head of Boarding House. Boarders must return by 5.30pm.

 

This type of leave is to be submitted by 8.00pm on the Thursday prior to the weekend.

 

Year Twelve Friday or Saturday Night Leave (5.30pm to 9.30pm)

This type of leave is only available to Year Twelve boarders and is approved by the relevant Head of Boarding House.  

 

This type of leave is to be submitted by 8.00pm on the Thursday prior to the weekend.

 

Community Sport

This type of leave is for boarders to complete if they wish to participate in Community Sport.  It is available to all boarders.  This leave must first be approved by Parents/Guardians and then by the Head of Boarding House.

 

This type of leave is to be submitted by 8.00pm on the Thursday prior to the weekend.

 

School Approved Activity

This type of leave takes into account any activities that are approved by either the day or boarding schools.

 

Holiday Travel Arrangements

This leave is designed for you to outline your child’s travel arrangements.  Using this type of leave for the holidays simply helps us with our organisation.  

 

On-campus leave that does not need the approval of either a Parent/Guardian or Head of Boarding House.

 

On Campus Leave

This type of leave allows the boarders to go anywhere on the School Campus.  

Locations take into account different areas within the School, e.g. School, Health Centre, Library, gymnasium, ovals, another house, pool etc.  This leave is for 1.5 hours, however, the boarders can check straight back out again once they have seen the Boarding House Supervisor on Duty.

CONDITIONS OF LEAVE

  • All leave is to be generated and monitored through our online Leave Management System (Reach Boarding Management System).
  • It is a boarder’s responsibility to inform the Boarding House Supervisor of their movements in and out of the boarding community.
  • Boarders report to the Boarding House Supervisor when leaving the house. If being collected and returned by his host or parent, the host or parent must report to the main area of each house to verify they have collected/returned the boy.
  • On return, boarders must report to the Boarding House Supervisor who will sign them back into the house.
  • No leave will be granted unless the host list has been returned.  The Head of Boarding House or Head of Boarding can use their discretion to determine the suitability of hosts. There may be occasions when leave confirmation is required from both parent and host.
  • Unless on leave with a parent, leave is at the discretion of the Head of Boarding House or Head of Boarding.
  • Dress for all leave types is normally casual. Clothes must suit the occasion, in the opinion of the staff member giving leave. Extremes of fashion should be avoided.  A well-dressed, well-groomed appearance is expected.

Conditions of OVERNIGHT Weekend Leave

  • Leave is granted from 3.30pm Friday until Sunday 5.30pm with parents or hosts. Unless stated by parent with staff and HOBH. Boarders are permitted to have unlimited weekends in the care of their parents. These weekends may be taken at your discretion unless they have commitments to school or boarding activities. On all occasions, school activities to which boarders have committed themselves take precedence over leave. This means that if your child is a member of a sporting team, a musical group, or the like, they will be required to fulfil all obligations before going out on leave.
  • If a student is going to return late to the house (after the time determined within their leave arrangement) then they must contact the Boarding House Supervisor on duty prior to their due time of return.  At this point they must explain why they are going to be late and at what time they intend to return.  Unexplained late returns are inconvenient for staff on duty and can be seen as a break of trust.

Repeated unexplained late returns will be treated seriously and disciplinary action may be taken.

 

Mr Ashley Keatch | Head of Boarding