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YEAR 6 TO 12
BOARDING
HOUSE
At Scotch Oakburn College we are very proud of our strong boarding tradition and the warm, supportive environment our professional and compassionate staff create for our boarding family.
The College offers a variety of flexible boarding arrangements including full-time, part-time and casual boarding. These options allow boarders and their parents to choose a pattern of boarding that suits their needs.
Our Head of Boarding and Tutors are only a phone call or email away for parent queries and concerns, with two-way communications being frequent and encouraged.
Boarding is a unique experience and a wonderful opportunity to learn many important life skills such as independence, respect, compassion, empathy and leadership, as well as developing lifelong friendships. We hope that you can join us for what will be a happy, memorable and rewarding experience.
Our co-educational Boarding House provides spacious and recently renovated accommodation for up to 80 Year 6 to 12 students from across Tasmania´s country regions as well as from interstate and overseas. Located at the heart of the Elphin Campus in the original, historic Methodist Ladies’ College/Oakburn College buildings, and surrounded by beautiful gardens and century-old oak trees, the Scotch Oakburn College Boarding House is a special place indeed.
Boarders form a special part of the College community and our aim is for each student to develop a strong sense of belonging within the Boarding House as this will be their home during term times. Our staff are committed to ensuring the wellbeing and growth of the students by providing a supportive home away from home that addresses the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of each individual.
Every effort is made to duplicate the healthy eating standards parents would provide at home and our on-site chefs prepare delicious, balanced meals, with fruit and healthy snacks always available. We have in place, strict policies on study times, security and safety, and electronics and firewalls. Specialist tutors provide further academic support to help students achieve their ambitions and a communal study area, as well as personal workspaces, are available to all students.
Our safe and caring environment is a place where every boarder feels recognised, respected and valued. Boarding life provides many opportunities for fun and games with the students instigating dress up nights, cultural dinners, fundraiser pizza nights and charity events to bring everyone together. Optional weekend activities such as hiking, mountain bike riding, film nights, picnics, sightseeing and farm visits, provide all full-time boarders with the opportunity to get out and about with friends at the weekends.
We encourage each boarding student to have a balanced involvement in the academic, sporting and cultural life of the College but we understand that students also need space to relax and unwind. We have a games room including a table tennis table, pool table, piano, tv’s and lounges, and students have supervised access to the on-site pool and sporting facilities.
As well as promoting academic excellence amongst boarders, we continue to strongly emphasise our desire for each of them to become self-directed, well balanced and ethical people. Living in our boarding community helps students acquire important life skills such as empathy and respect for others, independence and organisational skills, and most importantly, confidence and life-long friendships.
A boarder’s week day is like that of of any other student – get up and get ready for school, eat breakfast, then head off for a normal school day. After school, boarders may attend sports training or another co-curricular activity, or come home for afternoon tea. They can spend some time relaxing with friends or get on with homework.
An outline of a standard school day for our boarders is shown below.
CATERING AND KITCHEN STAFF
The College employs a dedicated team of Catering and Kitchen Staff who play an essential role in supporting the boarding community and the wider College.
Their responsibilities are diverse, ranging from delivering high quality catering for formal functions to meeting the daily nutritional and dietary needs of our boarding community. Given the nature of their work, their hours may vary to accommodate demand. They operate within a registered commercial kitchen and rigorously comply with all relevant local health and safety regulations to ensure food safety and quality.
DUTY STAFF
Duty Staff, both residential and nonresidential, are the backbone of the Boarding House’s day-to-day operation. They are entrusted with maintaining the smooth running of the House on their rostered times / days and collaborate closely with other staff to consistently uphold the College and Boarding House’s processes,
expectations, rules, and values. Central to their role is fostering a supportive culture of guidance, compassion, and care that nurtures a strong sense of belonging and which positively supports and promotes the academic and personal growth of every boarder.
COLLEGE MEDIC
The College Medic provides comprehensive medical care to boarders, managing both acute illnesses and chronic health conditions from Monday to Friday. They prepare and administer medications in consultation with parents and healthcare professionals, and they help coordinate external medical appointments with doctors and specialists as needed. Maintaining open communication with families and key boarding staff regarding medical requirements is a fundamental part of this role, ensuring continuity of care and peace of mind.
BOARDING LIAISON OFFICER
This role serves as the first point of contact and ‘front of house’ for the boarding community. Responsibilities include welcoming visitors and parents, managing the leave system, coordinating exeats and holiday leave, and arranging homestays for international students. Additionally, this role at times supports the College Medic with first aid provision and plays a crucial role in maintaining clear and timely communication between the Boarding House and families, ensuring that the connection between the school and boarding house is strong and that parents remain informed and engaged with their child’s boarding experience.
DEPUTY HEAD OF BOARDING
The Deputy Head of Boarding supports the Head of Boarding in the leadership and management of the Boarding House. Their responsibilities include assisting with pastoral care, student welfare, academic support, and operational matters, ensuring the Boarding House runs smoothly and effectively, maintaining a strong alignment to the College Values, and supporting the Head of Boarding in upholding College and regulatory policies and procedures.
HEAD OF BOARDING
The Head of Boarding (HoB) is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the Boarding House, reporting directly to the Principal. This comprehensive role encompasses oversight of the academic, pastoral care, student welfare, sport and recreation, catering, laundry, marketing, and community
engagement. The HoB leads the Boarding Staff team, managing staff recruitment, development, and performance management. They also drive the culture of the house, ensuring alignment to College Values and adherence to College and regulatory policies and procedures.
Parents Always Welcome
Scotch Oakburn College understands the importance of family values such as nurture and care. It doesn’t matter where you live, parents and relatives are always encouraged to share in the Boarding House life of their children. Family members are regularly invited to Boarding House activities, including special events designed for parents. Regular news is sent home to families to keep them informed, aware, and connected to the Boarding House and the people who call it home.
