Scotch College

Boarders' Transition Camp - a sneak preview of boarding life

The transition from a country primary or secondary school to a more demanding academic life can bring some challenges for new boarders, if they’re unprepared.

To set new entrants on the right path, last year Scotch introduced a weekend boarders’ transition camp in the September holidays prior to the boys’ first year at Scotch, and the results have been most favourable.

Designed for new boarders in reasonable proximity to Melbourne, the camp runs from Friday afternoon to Sunday, and includes a run-down on what to expect in academic, sport and extracurricular life at Scotch – in short, it’s a sneak preview so that the boys know what boarding life will be like when they arrive at the end of January in the following year.

‘So far the two camps we’ve run have more than met our expectations,’ said Mr Chris Braithwaite, Head of Arthur Robinson House, who coordinates the camps. ‘Twenty-eight boys have participated, and the feedback I’ve received suggests they’ve thoroughly enjoyed the camps, and have benefited from them,’ Mr Braithwaite told Great Scot.

Letters go out in August each year inviting the new boarders to the transition camp. ‘In the first year we only invited boys coming into Year 9, but this year we invited all boys from Year 7 to Year 10,’ Mr Braithwaite said. ‘The letters outline how the transition camp works, offer the boys help with Maths and Science ahead of their arrival at Scotch, and invite their questions about boarding house life.’

The boys arrive on a Friday afternoon in the September holidays. They’re met, introduced to each other, and settled in to Arthur Robinson House. But not for long – at 6pm it’s time for dinner in the dining hall, then after dinner a guided tour of the library. ‘This is an important part of the weekend,’ Mr Braithwaite said. ‘They need to know how to use the library properly, with its books, magazines, CDs, DVDs and other resources.’ Then it’s back to Arthur Rob for video and sleep.

Next morning a full day of learning and fun awaits the boys. It includes English, Maths and computer lessons, information about meals, prep and other important boarding information. The boys receive passwords to log-in to the school’s computer system and are trained on the intranet. Later there are sporting activities in the pool and gym, and tours of the boarding houses and the school – the Chapel, the James Forbes Academy, the Quadrangle, the Lithgow Centre and the grounds – and a presentation by Activities Officer Tim Bence on the Mansfield lodge and other weekend activities. By now the boys are getting the feel of the place, and friendships are forming.

On the final day of the camp there is a Maths lesson after breakfast, and then the boys’ parents arrive for a barbecue lunch and the chance to meet staff and other parents. After lunch, boys and parents set off for home, with plenty of chatter about the experiences of the weekend and what lies ahead next year.

Chris Braithwaite said the camps are still evolving, but the response from boys and parents has been very good. ‘We’re all taking notes: we’re learning about running the camps, while the boys are learning about school life,’ he said. ‘This year we asked Ben Elliott, a Year 11 boarder from Yea, to help us. He led tours of the boarding houses and mixed well with the boys. This is a feature we trialled last year as well and because of its success we now intend to make it a permanent fixture.

‘The important thing about the transition camps is that they create a real feeling of excitement about the challenges and fun that lie ahead in Scotch life, while helping to dispel many of the fears or uncertainties the boys may have. It means that the prospect of coming to Scotch as a boarder becomes something to look forward to with eagerness and anticipation, not apprehension.’

DAVID ASHTON