Newsletter May 2007 - Boarding 2007
In September 2006 I attended the ABSA Conference in Queensland together with the Head of Boarding from Wenona. I was very surprised to find myself registered as the only current School Principal in attendance.
It was a very informative conference which covered many aspects of boarding. One very thought provoking presentation was given by Mr Robert Lawrence. It was based upon his recent research of Boarding in a range of volunteer AHISA Schools. He posed the following question:
"Is there a future for Boarding"
He referred to the huge responsibility for 24 hour duty of care, litigation threats and the escalating costs for boarding families in a difficult rural climate. Boarding is an expensive option for families and for Schools.
In most independent schools Boarding will be regularly reassessed by School Boards and Management to ensure it is cost effective.
As Boarding fees increase student numbers are frequently difficult to maintain and families often defer planned entry for year 7 to year 9 or even to years 10 and 11.
In NSW the Board of Studies Registration and Accreditation process now includes an over sight of School Boarding Houses. Clear guidelines are in place to assist schools in compliance. These are detailed in the BOS web site and outlined in the most recent ABSA publication. absa@boarding.org.au
A successful Boarding House can assist a School to maintain overall enrolments by providing a more diverse demographic and a clear point of difference with competitor schools.
Boarding, when successful, provides the 'heart' of a school and supplies varied life experiences and backgrounds for the entire school community.
A few key indicators of a successful boarding function in a school would include:
- happy boarders
- daily involvement/ interest/ enthusiasm of senior management
- kind, well trained, positive, caring and efficient Boarding House staff, who enjoy working with young people
- good, varied and healthy food
- clear, transparent and two way communication with the day school and the academic staff and close monitoring of academic progress
- clearly outlined communication pathways for staff, students and parents
- consistency of standards, rules and discipline
- A Principal and a Registrar who value Boarding and have a genuine interest in its success, its survival, and who appreciate its value to the School
- Clear policies to ensure compliance in all critical areas.
If your school wishes to review its Boarding function OR, if you require assistance in recruiting or training Boarding Staff, then I would be most willing to advise. |
