Making the Transition to Boarding House Life At Seymour College we recognise that the transition from home to boarding school can be fraught with anxiety for both students and parents. We address this by offering new boarding students a special orientation to boarding. This program is designed to familiarise students and parents with boarding life and to answer their questions. Orientation takes place during the fourth term prior to the year of enrolment. Students are invited to the Boarding House to sleep over for one night and attend school the following day. On arrival at the Boarding House girls are paired with a "buddy", a student the same age as themselves, and they are shown around the Boarding House and the school grounds. After dinner the new girls join their parents for informative discussion sessions about Boarding House routine and expectations. Present boarders talk about their experiences and boarders' parents address some of the issues involved in long distance parenting. The school counsellor speaks about various aspects of managing change. This microcosm of boarding life has a very positive effect on every one involved. Rather than feel apprehensive about the transition they are soon to experience, students and their parents alike look forward to becoming part of the Seymour College community and cementing friendships briefly made. This comment from a boarder from Coober Pedy summarises the boarding experience well: "I have done correspondence schooling all my life and boarding school was such a big change. I enjoy the other girls' company and the great friendships I have made. It has been the experience of a lifetime." RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE