Surviving and Thriving as a First Time Boarder

Smoothing the Transition to Life in Boarding

From Head of Boys' Boarding, Mr Matt Byrne

For first-time boarders, leaving behind the home environment and the security of family and loved ones can be a huge emotional hurdle, particularly for boys. Head of Boys Boarding, Matthew Byrne, explains how Kinross Wolaroi supports and nurtures social connection and well-being for new students adjusting to the boarding environment.

A Tradition of Care

Boarding at Kinross Wolaroi has a long and storied history. Ex-boarders who graduated some 50 years ago tell of hot chocolate heating up on gas heaters in Wolaroi Mansion’s Tower and tales of mischief when the strict staff members of old weren’t watching.

The stories, privileges, and levels of heating in the houses during frosty Orange winters might have changed, but the guiding principles regarding care and nurturing haven’t. With some of our Year 7 boarders in Trathen and Stuart Douglas still as young as 11 when they move away from home, we are acutely aware of their needs as they begin on their path without their parents by their side.

Transitioning from a small primary school to a Senior School can feel enormous for some, and building a strong support system is important. The dedicated Year 7 boarding houses allow us to provide a tailored initial boarding experience run by house staff who have worked with Year 7 boarders for years.

Orientation & Sleepover

The creation of a welcoming environment is critical to settling our newest boarders. This process begins long before that first day in January. Our Orientation Day and sleepover in late November provide a reassuring atmosphere of shared experience. Students gain comfort from discovering they have sport, horses, and friends in common with other young wide-eyed boarders also starting their journey the following academic year.

Promoting a sense of belonging

As our “Trathenites” and “Stuie” boarders settle into their Senior schooling, compulsory Saturday sport and the rich and varied activity program on weekends, including champion ping-pong, UNO, and handball, demonstrate the value of boarding.

Kinross Wolaroi is proudly a seven-day-a-week boarding school, with most boarders remaining with us on the weekends. This enables us to enjoy the wonderful PLC and Wolaroi campuses for activities such as pool parties, movie nights, and charity sporting fixtures, as well as our within-house programmes of baking, biltong making, crafting, and treasure hunts. These activities are a crucial part of boarding life because they promote community and belonging, and through them, students forge connections that last a lifetime.

Fostering Confidence and Independence

Boarding students inevitably experience homesickness, yet a positive aspect of boarding is the opportunity for students to take on responsibilities and make decisions, fostering confidence and independence.

The support of the House staff, Housemother, and Student Support Officer in the evenings helps our youngest cope, maintain regular contact with home, and provide the safety and comfort that routines deliver.

Formative years in boarding tend to be characterised by regular contact with home by the Housemother or Head of House. Often, they reassure parents that their son or daughter’s lack of contact is because they are extremely busy enjoying themselves!

Individual House pages on the school parent portal, social media posts, and regular parental social events and sporting events also involve our families in their child’s journey.

Lifelong Journeys

The staff working in the School’s boarding community are responsible for welcoming, settling, guiding, and journeying alongside our youngest boarders. While the road can, at times, feel bumpy, the character traits of the young men and women who graduate are seeded and nurtured that very first day as they start the lifelong journey as members of the Kinross Wolaroi boarding community.

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