Head of Boarding & Wellbeing Welcome

It is with great pleasure that I have taken on the role of Head of Boarding and Wellbeing at MITS.

The MITS boarding program focuses on developing confident and inspiring First Nations young people who have the skills, knowledge, and attitudes to shape their future and contribute meaningfully to their home communities and the wider Australian community. We are committed to providing a culturally safe, enriching, and supportive environment through our core values of Respect, Courage, Care, and Culture.

The switch out of the MITS Classroom setting to the Boarding space seemed like a natural progression for me, as students’ physical, social, emotional, and cultural Wellbeing has been the focus of my work in the Wellbeing space over the last nine months at MITS as Head of Wellbeing.

Weekend House activities and all House events will continue to stimulate and satisfy the students’ Melbourne experience this term. Go-karting, the Barbie movie and spectating at sporting events have kicked off the fun this term in Melbourne. So great to also see students don their footy, basketball, netball, and rugby uniforms on their return to MITS too.

With the exciting opening of our final MITS Boarding House this term at 371 Church Street, sharing meals and yarning together with students, staff and families in the near future will be a joy. 

I looked forward to collaborating with the Boarding Managers and their House teams to bring continued cohesion and flow to student Boarding life at MITS. 

Rules, routines, and expectations will be concise, consistent, and clearly communicated to staff, students, and families across all Houses.

Key expectations in Boarding Houses this term include the following:

• No mobile phone access in bedrooms at Lockington
• No mobile phone access in bedrooms at 371 girls and 364 fellas Houses after 7pm
• Compulsory Study sessions from 5.30-6.15pm in all Houses
• Compulsory attendance at Dinner times from 6.15pm in all Houses
• No fast food or soft drinks to be brought into Houses by students.

We rely on the support of our students’ families to have students understand and adhere to these expectations, and those already in place in the Boarding Program at MITS. We have high expectations of our students, and we know they can adapt to changes with support from those who care about them – family, friends and MITS staff.

I hope to see you on the hill soon...

Lia Bartholomew

Head of Boarding and Wellbeing