Transition to boarding: Tips and tricks for new students

For many regional kids, making the leap from their hometown school to a boarding school in a major city can be a daunting prospect.

For many regional kids, making the leap from their hometown school to a boarding school in a major city can be a daunting prospect.

But the lifelong benefits of being entrenched in a supportive, structured environment can last a lifetime, according to students and staff at a number of notable colleges in Victoria.

Year 9 student Tom Murray originally hails from a cropping and livestock farm in Deniliquin, NSW.

He’s in the first months of his time as a boarder at The Geelong College, and said the experience has been a positive one.

His advice to fellow students making the transition to boarding school is to become involved with both the day and boarder students, as a way to feel connected to the college.

“A high point has been getting along with everyone. I only got along with a few people at the start, but the more activities we did together, it’s bringing us together as a group and I get along with more people, and enjoy being with other people,” Mr Murray said.

“Joining in on the activities, with different groups and different people, makes you work together.”

The tyranny of the distance between home and school, particularly for regional boarders, can be a hurdle when first getting used to boarding school life.

“When I went back home for the first time, it was pretty weird seeing my mates. But slowly after time … it’s good to be home and to catch up with family,” Mr Murray said.

“One of the biggest challenges would be the travel, it’s a far distance to get back home.”

One way new students can help make the transition, Mr Murray says, is becoming involved in activities on offer at the school.

Students at Geelong College boarding house. Picture: Meg Read

“Don’t be shy, and put yourself out there … it helps a lot when you go to meet new people.”

The Geelong College head of boy’s boarding Gareth Gilby said the college has a transition program for new students beginning in term four the year prior to a student commencing as a border.

“We invite the Year Seven to Nine students for a sleepover which coincides with their orientation day in the day school. They’ll come in the afternoon, have a meal, do some activities, meet up with their buddies and link up social media accounts so they can keep in touch,” Mr Gilby said.

“It helps them to get an idea of the routines, to ask a lot of questions, and we use our prefects a lot to help with the induction process, particularly for our more rural and remote students, we’ll use the country boys.”

Homesickness is one of the most common challenges facing new boarding students, Mr Gilby said, and one which “all students would experience to some degree”.

“And it varies in the time it takes them to adapt to living away from home. While we try to make it a home away from home as much as we can, we’d like to boys to consider this their home,” Me Gilby said.

“But there’s a structured routine throughout the day, and getting used to that routine can be quite different. Particularly if they’re from a farm, having a little extra time in the mornings they tend to appreciate”.

The college also has a boarding parents support group, where new parents can ask questions and stay connected.

“No doubt, it’s the relationships they (the students) build and form. It’s an honour to watch them flourish in their time,” Mr Gilby said.

“We watch them come in shy and timid, and watch them grow and develop with their peers, leaving as close mates in Year 12. The independence the students have to build and develop is something unique to boarding, and they have to take care of themselves.”

Xavier College rector Chris Middleton has plenty of boarding school experience, from his six years at a boarding school in NSW during his childhood, to his work at Xavier College assisting with study programs and holding Sunday Mass.

He said the benefits of students entrenching themselves in the boarding community and looking beyond their sphere of comfort would contribute to a broad, wholistic boarding experience.

“Boarders can play it safe, and that is understandable. But getting out of your comfort zone, trying things and having the new ability to do so, such as trying drama or music or debating, something they maybe wouldn’t get much of a chance to try in the country … those who benefit most from the boarding school are those who broaden their horizons,” Father Chris said.

“To me, the great advantage of boarding it not so much the academics or the facilities, which are often a big plus, but broadening their horizons, their imaginations, and they’ll go back to the country, add to their local communities, and see what’s possible.”

As a tip for making the transition from living at home to being a boarding student, Father Middleton advises parents and students to not be too quick to rush home for a visit in the early days of term.

“The more engaged you are in any community, the more at home you are, and the sense of belonging,” Father Middleton said.

“For families and boys, don’t rush home too quickly. Allow a bit of time for separation to settle in, but the context is different for every kid and that’s a judgement call within families.”