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Boarding
Boarding students heading off for class.
A HOME AWAY FROM Home
FOR MLC’S BOARDERS
Tiddeman Boarding House is the ‘home away from home’ for MLC’s boarders. The Boarding House is the original school building and has had various extensions and additions over time. It is now undergoing a process of renovation to further increase the sense of a large family home, while still paying respect to the heritage qualities of the building.
One of the main drivers for the renovation has been the desire to create open, freeflowing spaces where students can relax, chat with their friends, play games, watch TV, cook up a storm, go to the gym or play with the Boarding House guinea pigs. Most importantly, these open spaces create the opportunity for students to engage casually with Boarding staff, who are always available for support and advice.
Wellbeing is central to all that we do in Boarding, recognising that our students are a long way from home, from many different countries and cultures, and navigating their way through adolescence. Our Boarding House staff are all trained in mental health and wellbeing and have close and regular contact with day teachers and wellbeing staff.
To complement MLC’s day wellbeing programs, we have developed a Boarding House program called LACE (Life skills, Activities, Community, Excursions). In life skills we cover topics such as health, self-care away from home and personal budgeting. Our weekend program of inhouse activities includes jewellery-making, cooking, candle-making, gardening projects – the list goes on. We run at least one excursion per weekend – this could be anything from a trip to a market, trampolining, a theatre or gallery visit. The community area focuses on activities such as beach clean ups, making cloth face masks or contributing to community gardening projects.
We have recently been conducting Boarding Prefect interviews and the common theme from our senior students has been that the Boarding House feels like their second home and family:
“We are always supported in the Boarding House by staff and peers so whenever we need help or advice, it is never too far away.” Matisse Daniel, Year 11 boarder
Inside the Tiddeman Boarding House renovated spaces.
“Being a large community means that you never feel alone and always have someone to rely on.” Estelle Wollin, Year 11 boarder
Senior students also have a role to play in our wellbeing program, particularly through Family Groups. Family Groups have dinner together each Thursday evening and each Family Leader, a Year 12 boarder, organises an activity to stimulate table conversation. They also have a small budget to organise a mini excursion once per term. The highlight for Family Groups is on the Closed Weekend at the start of the year where the groups create their own t-shirt design and compete in the Great Race around Melbourne.
With a senior staff team supported by Year Level Supervisors, boarding students know who they can go to for help, are actively involved in learning new skills and developing their independence and, most importantly, have a sense of community and belonging to a wide reaching, multifaceted family.
Jane Shone, Head of Boarding
