We start from a perspective of trust, understanding and respect to develop an environment where girls can flourish and develop their natural independence, self-reliance and self-efficacy. The emphasis is on developing the three c's; confidence, connectedness and competence.
Our philosophy at Wilderness is to make the boarding community a second family for the girls. We understand the challenges and we try to make the transition as smooth, comfortable and reassuring as possible and maintain an environment that is friendly, accepting of difference, supportive and offers many and varied opportunities. The primary concern for staff is to provide a safe and happy environment so the girls can flourish. We understand that if the girls are happy in their home environment they have the greatest chance of learning success.
We also understand that teenagers will from time to time make errors of judgement and that this is a normal part of growing up. If and when this occurs we work with the girls to ensure they learn from the experience.
Year 9 and 10 boarders can apply to participate in a boarding exchange for four weeks with girls from Woodford House in New Zealand. The exchange is reciprocal.
The girls are encouraged to invite friends and family members to stay or drop in for dinner. Flexible leave arrangements ensure that close family and friendship ties are maintained while girls are living away from home.
The boarding community is made up of girls from regional, interstate and international locations and the broader school community values this diversity. The boarders form a tight community of remarkable young women who demonstrate a wide range of abilities.
Boarding is a unique experience providing an opportunity to live within and build a strong sense of community. Special bonds and characters are formed. Life-long friendships develop in an environment of mutual respect, warmth and sense of family.
The boarding community is extremely busy and we believe that an involvement in a wide variety of social and sporting activities serves to enhance each students boarding experience.
A combination of heritage buildings and purpose built contemporary accommodation provides girls with excellent study, computing, and recreational and dining facilities. There is a well-organised routine to enable girls to balance their commitments to study, sport and leisure activities.
Our bedrooms are furnished to give the House a domestic, friendly feel with small break out areas scattered throughout. The maximum per room is two and Year 12 students are always guaranteed a single room. Wireless internet connection is available throughout the House which complements the one to one laptop program in the school.
The girls have access to music practice rooms and a small gymnasium within the Boarding House. The girls are kept busy with a range of afterschool and weekend activities many of which are organised by the boarders' student leadership team.
What if I became a boarder?
A school day sees the girls rise to their own morning schedule. Some girls choose to have breakfast in their PJs others dress and shower and leave for school from the dining room. The girls take recess with them and return to the Boarding House for a smorgasbord lunch. Winter lunches with the 'hot' option are popular with the girls. Girls return to the Boarding House after school unless they have sport, music, drama or other co-curricular commitments. Girls have time to unwind until 6pm when they meet for dinner. After dinner the senior girls retire to their rooms to do homework until 8.30pm. The Year 7 – 9 boarders watch the 7pm news and then do homework from 7.30pm – 8.30pm. Tutors support the girls during homework time. Bedtimes vary depending on the age of the boarder.
Boarders have many opportunities to contribute ideas and participate in the organisational matters of the Boarding House. There are many leadership roles that distribute responsibilities to the girls. Regular family meetings provide all boarders with the opportunity to express their ideas and opinions.
Girls are encouraged to keep busy on weekends by playing sport and being involved in activities arranged by the Boarding House. Life as a boarder can be quite social with many formal and informal activities arranged for boarders such as visits to the theatre, AFL matches, ice-skating, surfing, netball matches against our neighbouring boys schools and interschool dinners and socials.
Rules are kept to a minimum but those we have in place are for the explicit safety and wellbeing of all girls. There is an expectation that these are respected.
The boarders are encouraged to take responsibility for their own actions on their journey to becoming kind, independent and resilient women. Our priority is to recognise and understand the needs, interests and personality of each girl in a safe, friendly environment allowing for the progressive development of her independence and confidence.
We are committed to providing the best education for our students, enabling them to follow their chosen careers
At Wilderness we place value on the global perspectives our international students bring to our community and respect the tremendous challenge the girls have embraced by choosing to study in their second language.
Wilderness Boarding House welcomes students from all cultural backgrounds and values the contribution each girl makes to ensure all our girls develop and appreciate cultural perspectives and become respectful global citizens. We have international students who have chosen to complete their study in Australia and also welcome students who wish to study for just 6 months or a year.
The city of Adelaide is one of the world's safest and most liveable cities. Wilderness School is located just ten minutes from the centre of the city. Located on the school grounds, the Boarding House provides a friendly, safe residence for both local and international students.
The Boarding House provides an exceptional standard of accommodation with newly refurbished bedrooms and bathrooms, spacious, modern indoor and outdoor recreation spaces and access to the latest technology. Keen to make our international girls feel at home, the Boarding House chefs enjoy preparing traditional style foods. The chefs encourage the international students to be involved in planning the menu and many of the international girls take pleasure in sharing their local recipes and helping in the preparation of some meals.
The Boarding House staff and local boarders are encouraged to learn about, respect and share the cultural backgrounds of our international students and we encourage our international students to visit Australian families and local attractions during exeats and holidays.
We appreciate the huge adjustment required to live and learn in a new country and the importance of our Boarding House having a true sense of home for our international girls. The Boarding House offers accommodation to international students over exeat periods so the girls do not feel pressured to find alternative accommodation throughout term time.
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Boarding |
$7,628 |
$150 |
$7,778 |
$23,334 |
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