Boarding Staff
Care for your son
Pastoral Relationship
Scotch College is not only a boarding facility but aspires to establish a ‘community’ atmosphere within the context of sound Christian principles. Such a community inevitably finds itself operating in a balance between discipline and individual freedoms, the needs of the individual and the needs of the community as a whole.
It also recognises that the student’s reason for being in the boarding community is to acquire the best education possible. To ensure that aim, every attempt possible is made to make the residence a ‘home-like’ atmosphere with accessibility to the staffby the boarding students for help with problems encountered during the year.
In their relationship with boarding students, the boarding staff will carry out their positions of responsibilities with understanding. The relationship is seen primarily as a pastoral relationship reflecting care and concern, balanced by firm discipline. The aim always is to build mutual respect and to develop maturity in your son. Staff will know each boy as an important individual who is part of our community.
Head of Boarding
The role of the Head of Boarding is to oversee all aspects of Boarding at Scotch College.
Boarding Administration
The role of the staff in Boarding Administration is to assist the Boarding Staff in managing the operational aspects of boarding and offer support to families with administrative requirements.
Head of Residence
The College has three Heads of Residence to support to Head of Boarding and boarding families. There is a Head of Middle School Residence (7/8) and two Heads of Senior School Residence (9-12). The Role of the Head of Residence, along with their staff, is primarily one of carer/mentor, with the emphasis on the notion of working together as a team – parents, boarder and staff – to meet the students’ needs.
It is the role of the Head of Residence to oversee the care, supervision and development of the students in their care, including social, spiritual, academic and physical aspects of life. Importantly, the Head of Residence works hard to develop a strong work ethic and a strong character within the boys, based on our boarding values. Staff also strive to create a positive environment, so that boarding students can gain the maximum from their stay in the boarding community, while providing appropriate role-modelling for boarding students.
The main functions and responsibilities of the Head of Residence include;
- Being the primary contact point for parents, the Head of Boarding, teachers and other staff on how each boy isprogressing in the boarding setting.
- Mentoring and giving boys feedback on the tasks that they undertake. Counselling them when required or whenasked to help them overcome difficulties, whether they be personal, social or academic.
- Developing a strong work ethic and strong values within the boys
- Ensuring that each boy is a positive and contributing member of the wider boarding community
- Ensuring a high level of discipline and respect is upheld within boarding
- Advocating for boarding and boarding families within the day school
- Managing Leave requests for families.
- Keeping parents informed and involved in all facets of the boarding community and their son’s well-being.
House Mother
The main role of the House Mother is a pastoral one and to complement the role of the Head of Residence and Head of Boarding. The House Mother provides a female presence around the House adding a balance to what is generally a male environment. The House Mother liaises closely with parents and Health Centre staff, as well as, uniform shop to ensure the boys are well organized and cared for.
Assistant Head of Residence
Each Head of Residence has an Assistant Head of Residence. The Assistant Head of Residence is tasked with the academic tracking, goal setting and support of boys in their boarding house. The Assistant Head of Residence is a senior member of the Boarding Team and works alongside the Head of Residence and the Head of Boarding to care for boys and feedback to families.
Boarding Mentors
The Boarding Mentors are the staff who supervise the boys on a daily basis and act on behalf of the Heads of Residence and Head of Boarding.
Boarding On-Call Staff
On every day of the week, whilst the boys are in residence, there will be a Senior Member (Head of Residence, Assistant Head of Residence, Senior Mentor or Head of Boarding) of staff who will be ‘On Call’.
On the weekends this person is the primary contact if you need to urgently speak with someone. The ‘On Call’ roster is available on the fortnightly Boarding Newsletter. If in doubt, call the Boarding House and duty staff will direct inquiries to the Senior staff member ‘On Call’ if required.
The Boarding Mentors are the staff who supervise the boys on a daily basis and act on behalf of the Heads of Residence and Head of Boarding. The Boarding Mentors should only be contacted in relation to daily events or activities that directly affect your son during that day. For example if you need to get an urgent message to him, change his leave or any item like these you should contact the Boarding House directly and speak to one of the Mentors.