Boarding 

This week students, teachers and families enjoyed a presentation by Dr Michael Carr-Gregg. This was a humorous, informative and totally engaging presentation about resilience. One of the messages’ presented to our students and boarders was the value of listening to others, being able to truly listen to your surrounds and take in what is happening around you. Linking in with resilience, Dr Carr-Gregg said resilience is our capacity to be overcome and be transformed by adversity in our life. He specifically gave advice to our young people advice about being resilient, his advice was:

1. If you can’t change it, then change the way you think about it.
2. See life as it is, but focus on the good bits (focus on three good things each day).
3. When we’re together everything is better.
4. Sleep, diet and exercise are the most important contributors to wellbeing.

I encourage all boarding families to support our boarders to seek out challenges, acknowledge the adversity in their life and embrace those support structures surrounding them in their environment. I believe our boarding family holds strong to these values, however, I also believe we can always do better and we’ll continue to strive in promoting resilience.

Boarders involved in the community

As part of our ongoing approach to Positive Education, engaging in a meaningful activity is sometimes a challenge for our teenagers. Helping them engage in something that could be considered larger than themselves can often involve giving back to the community. Last weekend, a group of boarders set out to help plant over 1600 trees and grasses along the Grangeburn river in Hamilton. Not only did the boarders feel a sense of meaning but they also felt a sense of community. Wonderful effort boarders

Op Shop dinner

Our College Positive Education approach is built upon the PERMAH model. Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishments, and Health. In this cold, wet, wintery weather it was a great idea from the boarders to lift the spirit and simply have a laugh. Positive emotions not only liven up our lives but the connections between our boarders and staff are strengthened. The boarders went out of their way to get into the swing of the Op-Shop dinner last week, ‘upcycling’ clothes with great energy.

An early start!

Our Year 12 boarders have returned from a holiday with dedication and determination to “hit the books”. With their last units of work challenging them our boarders have taken upon themselves to request earlier starts to their day. Each morning our Year 12s are driven to College at 7:45am for an 8:00am start to study. Many return at 5:30pm from an afternoon study session or co-curricular commitment. It is obvious our Year 12 boarders are willing and able to set high standards for themselves and go about in turning their goals into reality. Well done Year 12’s!

Casual boarding

Have you ever considered casual boarding? With our after-school programs in full-swing and our day school students taking these opportunities with determination our boarding houses can offer a comfortable place for an evening or two. When a casual boarder finishes their after-school commitment they are able to be picked up by our driver and brought back to the boarding house. Here they enjoy dinner, academic assistance, super supper (on a Wednesday), a warm and comfortable bed for the night with breakfast and lunch the following day. Casual boarding is becoming a popular choice for families and their children of all ages, and I encourage any family to consider this option for their son or daughter.

If you would like to trial boarding, experience the benefits of casual boarding or simply enquire about boarding in general please do not hesitate in contacting Susie Holcomb or myself (amonk@hamiltoncollege.vic.edu.au).

Andrew Monk