Boarding House Leadership Programme

A truly unique learning experience

Warren Durant Acting Headmaster

Leadership Programme

Medbury is the only Boys Preparatory School in the South Island and one of only a handful of Preparatory Boarding Schools for boys in New Zealand.

With this unique point of difference in mind, the question was how can we use these facilities to give Medbury boys a truly unique learning experience? In 2023, Year 6 boys in groups of approximately 10, will spend one week boarding. During this week in the Boarding House, the boys will take part in a Character and Leadership programme where a core focus will be on introducing them to the Medbury Community Service programme and developing leadership skills. According to Volunteering New Zealand’s State of Volunteering Report, a steady decline in volunteerism has been recorded since 2010 (interestingly, well before the pandemic) and cites an ageing volunteer force, volunteer availability and burnout as contributing factors.

“The best way to discover yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”

Mahatma Ghandi Teaching and Learning

Expected outcomes

Mahatma Ghandi said, “The best way to discover yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Medbury boys are privileged to be experiencing a Medbury education. Creating an awareness and empathy for others and identifying opportunities for our boys to serve in the community, will be central to this boarding and learning experience.

During their week in the Boarding House, the boys will be exposed to the daily routines of boarding life, while having no contact with home. The boys will have a series of evening workshops focusing on the following pillars of building character, namely: identifying and building on character strengths, goal setting, community service, and leadership.

Years 6 and 7 Boarders will take it in turns to join the Year 6 group and be part of this programme. This will allow Boarders and Day boys to connect on a social level, while at the same time acting as a good starting point for the Years 7 and 8 Boarders’ leadership programme.

Other outcomes expected from the Character and Leadership programme will be to build character and develop leadership whilst being immersed in the culture of Medbury School. There will also be associated social and emotional benefits that Day boys will be exposed to while spending a week away from home, including developing resilience.

Living away from home in a dormitory setting provides invaluable opportunities for personal growth. The boarding experience will also lead to a stronger sense of community between Day boys and Boarders. When you share life together outside of the constraints of a school day or setting, you build a sense of belonging and community that is unparalleled - not to mention, much more fun!

The Year 6 boys of 2023 will be the first to experience this exciting and unique opportunity as part of their learning journey. Year 5 parents will be provided with more details in the coming weeks.

Warren Durant Acting Headmaster