Boarding News

Weekend Activities and the Importance of Being Involved

Term 4 in Boarding has continued to be busy and active. Despite the wet weather, the term has provided a number of opportunities to be active and involved in the community and use the resources that we have available to us, as living and boarding at our school in Orange we are blessed with natural beauty and numerous opportunities to be immersed in nature.

I know as a parent, that often the biggest danger with young men and women is being idle and simply being disengaged with the local and wider community. Spending time outside in the natural environment helps the young people to remain engaged and to develop a sense of belonging.  When the students are together, exploring new environments and challenges, and developing lifelong skills with their friends, they become more resilient, happy and well-rounded individuals.

It is important that there is a balance between work and play and that the Boarding experience is full of activities and opportunities that enable every person to flourish.  Every weekend is planned with an array of activities that have positive well-being outcomes. These activities are designed to:

• Be fun and to keep the boarders active and engaged.
• Connect with nature and build a sense of belonging.
• Develop and encourage sense of community and building on boarders’ self-esteem. 
• Being involved in the Kinross Wolaroi community and the wider Orange community 

This term has seen:

• Whole boarding sports, movie night in the gym, and chapel events.
• Year group gatherings for boys and girls, including a recent Year 7-8 disco.
• Excursions to the School’s property, Windermere.
• Mountain bike riding off-site.
• Volunteering at the Uniting church hot Meals Outreach program
• Trips to local national parks and conservation areas, such Borenore Caves and Lake Canobolas.
• Whole site activities - BBQs and lunches.

In addition to our off-site activities, it is also important to make the most of what we have around us and the wonderful facilities we have available at our school, including the gymnasium, pool, playing fields, proximity to town and the facilities that we have within our individual houses.   It is especially important in today’s technology rich society for young people to make their own fun in less structured activity time as well. Down-time on scooters, in the gym and in the pool are just as important as the regular weekend outings offsite.

Lee Taylor

Head of Tower House