Boarding 

Last week our Boarding Captains, Lizzie Duver and Ben McCure, demonstrated what can only be described as outstanding leadership. Not only am I proud of our Boarding Captains in all that they have achieved and done for our boarders but their work around the RUOK day was remarkable. One of our core values is compassion, and this shone through in what and how they presented. Our captains truly care for their peers and in particular our younger ones.

Inspiring younger boarders to reach out and ask if they are OK is a message we are keen to continue in the boarding house. As it was mentioned you don’t have to be in the doldrums to be asked if you are OK. It is something we should do all the time and in our own way. There were plenty of examples of how we can go about checking-in with each other around the ‘boardo’.

Listening in to the presentations really brought home what am positive, kind and compassionate boarding house we have. I was really taken by the strong bonds our boarders have and yet we have all been experiencing lock-down. Let us put this in perspective. Our boarders have not been with each other for at least a minimum of 6 weeks, and we are still having conversations, activities, and laughs through Zoom and TEAMS that are as next to normal as they can be. Our boarders spend 24 hours 7 days a week with each other and when they had to say good bye this was not something taken lightly. It is a real challenge to leave your second-home and best mate. But, the laughs, the banter and carry-on is what connects our boarders and forges strong relationships. And it is these times which provide a platform to continue with in Term 4, when almost our entire boarding house will once again be reunited.

It is heartening to know our boarders do ask each other if they ROK, but, it is the strong connections they have and keep instilling with each other that makes the question sincere, genuine and compassionate.

I, and the Boarding Team, thank and congratulate our boarders and boarding families for traversing a tough Term 3. I am in awe of how our boarders have negotiated the tough times and will bounce-back from adversity using their experience as a platform to continue to be genuinely compassionate and caring.

If you would like to know more about boarding life in the country, or, would like to share our offering with friends please feel free to contact myself (amonk@hamiltoncollege.vic.edu.au)_ or our registrar Susie Holcombe (holcombes@hamiltoncollege.vic.edu.au).

Andrew Monk