It is no secret, transitioning to a new school can be tricky… add boarding to that and another layer of adjustment is introduced to our students’ lives.
Let’s think about it, not only are students grappling with the excitement and tensions of a new school, they are simultaneously attempting to establish themselves in a Boarding House community that provides many opportunities whilst also coming with a set of exciting and unique challenges. All this without the direct support of family can lead to levels of nervousness and trepidation.
Scotch Oakburn College’s Boarding HEADSTART program supports this transition into boarding life through a measured and systematic approach. We give students the confidence to celebrate, enjoy and step confidently through the doors of our Boarding House with positivity and realistic expectations.
Over many years of boarding, we have finetuned our approach and learnt how best to support these first steps. The introduction of the Boarding HEADSTART program is the formalisation of a set of experiences, processes, procedures and the introduction of technology that has existed at the College for some time.
Boarding HEADSTART helps transition our boarders into College life before they arrive.
It is a combination of on-campus learning, integration into boarding life and classrooms during term time, at home support and support developing key academic skills and mindsets.
Boarding HEADSTART supports the growth of the student, HEAD, HEART and SOUL.
Once your enrolment is finalised, you will immediately commence your journey at Scotch Oakburn College, beginning with the Boarding HEADSTART transition program while you are at your current school.
Hear from boarder May Wain as she talks about her experience of Boarding Headstart and how it made her start to boarding life a positive one.
A 3-PHASE TRANSITION PROGRAM
Phase 1 – Building Readiness and Resilience
Commencing in Term 3 of the year prior to arriving, the primary goal of this phase is to build those ‘essential blocks’ that allow for a successful transition from home to a new schooling and boarding environment. The focus will be on:
Building relationships through ‘The Dash’, Scotch Oakburn College’s student portal. Students will engage with weekly classes that promote relationships between key Boarding Staff and other transitioning students. Students will use a variety of platforms to engage with staff and the broader College community.
Further development of numeracy and literacy skills. Scotch Oakburn College will also provide additional support with learning and assessment while students are at their current school through a coaching/mentoring model.
Our goal is that your son/daughter will enter the College having already built relationships with key staff, as well as other boarders. By building these relationships, it allows key boarding staff to develop a deeper insight into their character and academic strengths, which then, in turn, allows for a smoother transition into boarding life at Scotch Oakburn College.
Effectively we are laying the foundation stones of a strong platform for them to step off when they arrive.
Phase 2 – Building Familiarity
Phase 2 takes place in Term 4 of the year prior to arriving. It includes two short term stays in the Boarding House and participation in the on-campus Penquite Campus Orientation Programs and the Senior School TCE HEADSTART program. It will also include the continuation of the weekly/fortnightly online academic mentoring sessions.
Live and Learn
Experience two short term stays in boarding in Term 4. These dates will be dependent on what year level they will be entering the school:
Long Weekend Friday 4 November – Monday 7 November 2022 (all year levels)
Your son/daughter will also participate in highly interactive on-campus learning sessions focusing on ‘learning through doing’ and building and designing rockets with several Scotch Oakburn College teachers. Parents will be welcome to join us for an evening meal this weekend.
The second stay with us varies based on year level:
Orientation to Middle School (Years 6 -8) – Monday 14 – Friday 18 November 2022
Orientation to Years 9 -10 – Tuesday 29 November – Friday 2 December 2022
TCE HEADSTART (Year 11 & 12) – Tuesday 22 November – Friday 2 December 2022
During these weeks, students will join our classes and fully immerse themselves into learning at Scotch Oakburn College. They will be ‘buddied up’ with an experienced boarder and participate in all elements of College and boarding life, providing them with an authentic opportunity to understand our approach to learning all whilst building stronger relationships with staff and peers.
Phase 3 – Transition Phase
Phase 3 of student transition takes place during their first semester at the College.
The focus during this period is on providing a ‘handover’ to other key boarding and teaching staff, helping each student to integrate into the Scotch Oakburn College approach to learning, to build their organisation and study skills through effective homework routines, monitor their wellbeing and academic outcomes and connect parents with support services as needed.
Primarily, this will take place each evening in the Boarding House and the continuity of relationships and regular support will be the driver behind a successful transition.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Any other questions?
Just reach out to us and we will explore how we can best support you.
NEXT STEPS
SPEAK TO US
Contact Nardia Deverell, our Community Liaison Coordinator to arrange a time to speak our Head of Boarding, Bo Power, or complete the form below to register your interest now.
P: (03) 6336 3407
E: enrolments@soc.tas.edu.au
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
Complete your details below and our Head of Boarding, Bo Power, will be in touch to discuss more details with you.