From the Boarding Captains

Hi everyone, I am Madison Smart and I am your Boarding Captain for 2022. I would just like to start off by telling you a bit about myself. I am from a farm about an hour and a half east of here in a community called Gairdner. I am very passionate about sport, farming, and music. Not only this, but I am very passionate about boarding as it has been my home for four years. 

I love boarding because it is a place where we all make the best memories and connections that we will cherish all our lives. I believe boarding is such a great experience full of life skills, fun experiences and so many great opportunities to make lifelong friends and do all sorts of different activities. Boarding for me has really given me such a broad perspective of life and has really shown me how to empathise with all different types of people and really know how to be independent.

As Boarding Captain I am most excited about making so many connections with people all around boarding whether it be staff or boarders. I am also really excited to get involved in my community and bring out the best in others to motivate them to the best they can in every aspect of life here in boarding. Things that I am aiming for this year are to continue Karis and Dan’s legacy of connections between the houses/sub schools, but I would really like to implement my own skills and mindset to things like the sustainability within the boarding community and a sense of belonging that comes with the values of compassion, empathy, loyalty and honesty.

During 2022, I hope to establish a real connection throughout the boarding community and to make the boarders feel like they belong as they should. I occasionally hear talk about the divide between the day school and boarding, with names like the “day-bugs” and “the boarders” being used. This can make boarders, especially the newer boarders feel insecure, and is a divide I would like to dissolve this year. I also know that as you grow older, and the year groups get closer, things like that don’t occur. Belonging and connections are important throughout life and they are something that makes people have the better motivation to go to school or work and really make the most of every chance that you get throughout your life. So I have many ideas for ways to bridge these gaps and build stronger connections this year. 

I am also really excited to work with Pierce Newman during Term One and the other Year Eleven boys, Darcy Barrett, Brendan Quick and Hamish Medway who have been nominated as boarding Vice Captains. The boys are all very passionate about boarding and all have a unique and individual way of contributing during their time as Vice Captains for 2022.

Going into the summer holidays I want you all to remember that I am always ready for a chat and to get to know everyone. If you have any questions from a student point of view don’t be scared to contact me madison.smart@student.gsg.wa.edu.au. 

I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday and a good harvest (despite the weather) and I am sure I will see a lot of you around in Bremer Bay.

Madison Smart | Boarding Captain