2021 Boarding Handbook About this Handbook The Guildford Grammar School Boarding Handbook is compiled for the benefit of the boarding community. The Handbook is designed to be a comprehensive directory of the life, work and organisation of junior and senior boarding at the School. It is also a formal statement of the expectations that the School has of all its boarders. 2021 Term Dates Term 1: Begins (Years K-12) Wednesday 27 January Ends Thursday 1 April (Mid-Term break: Friday 26 February – Monday 1 March inclusive) Term 2: Begins Tuesday 20 April Ends Friday 25 June (Mid-Term break: Friday 4 June – Monday 7 June inclusive) Term 3: Begins Monday 19 July Ends Friday, 24 September (Mid-Term break: Friday 20 August – Monday 23 August inclusive) Term 4: Begins (Years K-11) Monday 11 October (Year 12) Wednesday 13 October Ends (Years K-6) Thursday 2 December (Years 7-12) Friday 3 December Welcome Dear Boarders, Parents and Guardians, Matthew Weston I would like to take this opportunity to formally Director of Boarding welcome you to the Guildford Grammar School boarding community. This year we are embarking on a new and exciting era as our students move into one of the most modern with the philosophies, practices and principles that boarding facilities in the country. This year underpin the community your child will reside within we will have close to 120 male and female this year. boarders from Years 6-12 living under one roof Whilst we seek to nurture each child’s individual in a residence that is secure, safe and homely. talents and allow them to develop their own interests, It has state-of-the-art facilities from private bed boarders should understand that their own individual and bathroom areas, co-educational integration freedoms may sometimes need to be restricted in spaces for relaxing with friends and siblings, order to guarantee the rights and privileges of each and modern educational spaces for academic community member. It is also important for each growth. student to strike a balance between pursuing their Not only does Guildford Grammar School have one own goals and contributing to the happiness and the most advanced residential facilities, it has an harmony of the community. amazingly caring and supportive network of staff, We aim to make boarding as much like a home as we parents and friends. It is without doubt, the people of can. We provide a safe, caring and happy environment this community that make Guildford Grammar School where students find friendship in their work, sport and boarding such a positive and collegial environment. recreational activities. We hope that your child will We are consistently working towards maintaining a approach boarding positively and make the most of ‘boarding culture’, with a set of values, trademarks their time with us. Boarding is a unique opportunity to and behaviours and a clear set of expectations for learn to be caring, independent, resilient, thoughtful all members of the boarding community. This is now and respectful of others. well-established and we will include guidelines on how positive relationships can be fostered. As comprehensive as this Handbook is, we do not intend for it to become a replacement for yours or The purpose of boarding at Guildford Grammar your child’s own good judgement. We encourage School is: our students to develop qualities of consideration “To provide a home away from home, and respect for others, courtesy, good manners, giving boarders the opportunity of a first co-operation and responsibility. If the decisions our class education while building strong boarders make are informed by these values, their relationships and learning lifelong values” experience of boarding will be a positive one and will enrich the lives of those around them. Open communication with parents is one of our priorities, so if there are any boarding matters you Our co-educational boarding program is unlike any would like to discuss please do not hesitate to contact other. It is a home and a school where boys and girls us directly. I am available via email matthew. live and learn together, always sharing and living [email protected], mobile 0457 101 577 and our values. It is with much excitement we welcome office (08) 9377 8540. you and your children into our community as we Go Forward together into a ground-breaking new era of This Handbook contains information that will assist boarding. you in understanding the care we provide and the opportunities that exist for boarders at Guildford Matthew Weston Grammar School. To ensure you make the most of Director of Boarding your boarding experience, please familiarise yourself 3 Meet the Boarding Staff Director of Boarding – Year 12 Co-Ordinator Matthew Weston Deputy/Year 6-7 Co-ordinator Mrs Sophie Carroll Deputy/Year 8-9 Co-ordinator Mr Christopher Winters Year 10-11 Co-ordinator Mr Connor Toop Boarding House Co-ordinators Ms Mary O’Donovan See page 15 for Contact Details. 4 The Aims of the School Guildford Grammar School is a co-educational Anglican school based on Christian values in the Anglican tradition. Our Purpose Our Values Inspiring students to achieve At Guildford Grammar School students and staff personal excellence and to be are guided by the following interlinked values: outstanding citizens who work to create a just, loving and • Excellence peaceful society. • Respect • Integrity • Spirituality • Teamwork • Compassion Principles of Boarding at Guildford Grammar School Guildford Grammar School was founded • Staff and boarders respect the right of each in 1896 as a boarding school. Boarding at other to privacy. Guildford Grammar School is based on the • The communication and living of values is following principles: vital to the greater good of the boarding community. • Boarding can only be based on open and honest trusting relationships and mutual • Opportunities are extended to all students respect for the individual. regardless of culture, religion, ethnicity and background. • The full realisation of the potential of each boarder in our care includes emotional, • The opportunity to serve others is embraced intellectual, moral, social, spiritual and through leadership. It is observed in physical development of the individual. boarders who genuinely take an interest in other members of the boarding • Every boarder and member of staff has community, are positive role models who are the right to work, relax, play and rest free approachable and who earn the respect of from harassment or bullying of any form. the community without privilege or favour. Every boarder has the right to develop their intellectual and academic endeavours • Boarding is an important partnership in an environment that is positive and between the School, boarders and parents, encouraging and in surroundings that are all working together for the best outcomes. favourable to learning. 5 National Principles for Child Safe Organisations Children and young people are Child safety and wellbeing is informed about their embedded in organisational rights, participate in decisions leadership, governance and affecting them and are taken culture. seriously. Families and communities is upheld and are and Equity diverse informed involved respected in policy and in promoting child safety and needs practice. wellbeing. People working with children and young people are suitable Processes to respond to and supported to reflect child complaints and concerns are safety and wellbeing values in child focused. practice. and are Staff volunteers and equipped with the knowledge, Physical online promote safety skills and awareness to keep environments and wellbeing while minimising children and young people safe the opportunity for children and through ongoing education young people to be harmed. and training. and Implementation of the national Policies procedures document how the organisation child safe principles is regularly is safe for children and young and . reviewed improved people. For more information, please visit https://pmc.gov.au/child-safety https://childsafe.humanrights.gov.au/ 6 Child Safe Statement Guildford Grammar School is committed Raising a Concern to the care, safety and protection of all Guildford Grammar School respects the rights students and has a zero tolerance of child of children and young people and encourages abuse. All allegations and safety concerns them to speak up. will be treated seriously and consistently, in line with the School’s robust policies and The school provides a number of avenues for procedures. Guildford Grammar School communicating concerns including: wants children to be safe, happy and empowered. To protect the safety of the • Email Child Safe Manager students in our care all members of the [email protected] school community must adhere to our • Complaints & Feedback Form Link Child Safe Program and Policies. External Feedback Guildford Grammar School has worked closely Child Protection Policy with Child Wise, one of Australia’s leading not- for-profit child abuse prevention organisations in Guildford Grammar Schools Child Safe Policy the development of our Child Safe Program and is available on the School’s website at policies, gaining accreditation as a Child Safer https://www.ggs.wa.edu.au/Our-School/ Organisation in 2015. Policies-and-Reports Guildford Grammar School recognises that efforts to prevent child abuse will only be effective when considering a child’s safety and wellbeing holistically and our Child Safe Policy not only focuses on the risks of abuse to children and young people, but how children’s voices are heard. Our Child Safe Program follows the 10 National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. 7 Guardianship It is a requirement of boarding at Guildford Grammar School, that every boarder has a local guardian based in Perth. Contact the Director of Boarding or the Registrar if you anticipate any difficulty with this requirement. Organisation of the Boarding House In 2021, all our boarders will reside under In-House noticeboards, weekly School Bulletins, one roof.