Unprecedented advantages to boarding experience
Canberra Grammar School (CGS) has a rich heritage and culture developed through boarding, woven into the fabric of the school. Boarders, Guy Campbell and Oliva Nolan share their story of what the boarding experience has been like for them.
Boarders have an unprecedented advantage of understanding the depth and diversity of different world cultures because of the make-up of the boarding school. – Guy Campbell
Guy Campbell, Year 11
Guy Campbell has spent the past four years as a boarder at CGS, seeing the culturally-diverse boarding environment as something unique, setting boarders apart from other students.
“Boarders have an unprecedented advantage of understanding the depth and diversity of different world cultures because of the make-up of the boarding school.
“I’ve also appreciated how central boarding is to all of the school activities…of being able to go to training in the afternoon alongside friends, and being able to have breakfast, lunch and dinner alongside people who I’ve developed strong friendships with.”
Being away from family encourages boarding students to assign more reliance and trust in other boarders, resulting in a boarding community where all students can feel comfortable and express themselves.
However, arguably the most integral part of boarding is strengthening the relationship between boarders.
“Organised boarder trips give boarding students the opportunity to bond, and develop a deeper appreciation of how fortunate we are.
“Boarding is an opportunity I’ll forever cherish. I’ve developed friendships that will last beyond high school, and I’ve grown to understand the importance of having people around you who you can always rely upon.”
Being a boarder at CGS is a very special thing… – Olivia Nolan
Olivia Nolan, Year 9
Part of the first intake of girls at CGS in 2019, boarding has offered Olivia new experiences, long-term friendships, and the feeling she’s part of something special.
“Coming to CGS for the first time was very nerve-wracking, as I was living away from home, away from my family and having to make new friends.
“It’s hard moving away from home, but you do get used to it. If you think about it, it is basically like having another family; your tutors become your parents and other boarders become siblings. Everyone here at CGS is so supportive and caring.”
As Olivia is discovering, every boarder will tell you it’s very normal to feel homesick, but it’s the support provided by those around you that makes the difference.
“Being a boarder at CGS is a very special thing – we have amazing relationships with everyone at school and in the boarding house, whether it be tutors, teachers, students or the school cleaner.
“For me coming to CGS was a big step outside of my comfort zone.
“I came from a small coastal town on the far South Coast of NSW called Pambula but I’m boarding at CGS because I play soccer in the Women’s National Premier league (WNPL). CGS have adapted extremely well to my needs of getting to and from soccer training and games.”
Meet the staff of Canberra Grammar School, along with 33 others schools from across NSW and the ACT, as well ICPA NSW, at the Dubbo Boarding Schools Expo on 17 and 18 May. Check the Dubbo Expo page for details and don’t forget to grab your copy of the new BOARDER e-mag by subscribing to our list.