As the boarders start to return to school it is interesting to look back at how quickly we have all adapted to change. I would never have imagined running the Boarding House from my dining room table, and that all my communication would be through devices. I am very proud of all our boarders and how they have risen to the challenges this term. Our boarders are currently living with their families in all mainland Australian states and back home in Hong Kong, China and Malaysia.

From the first day of Term 2 the boarding community has kept in contact. As one of our Boarding Captains said “we are separate but connected”. Through a range of full house meetings, Level House meetings and homework sessions, the boarders have kept in contact and maintained some of their important boarding routines. Each evening at 7pm Boarders’ Prep is offered to all boarders in Years 7-10 to give them structure around their homework.

Our House Meetings have taken many different structures this term. It has provided different girls a voice and the opportunity to organise online activities such as KAHOOTS and a Just Dance routine to the song Rasputin. Our Boarding Captains have led meetings and together with a number of senior boarders have designed the 2020 Boarding Jumper. In recent weeks we have been joined by Boarding Assistant Leah Stamm who has organised craft and cooking opportunities for the girls. In particular, the competition between our Year 8 boarders in their geography challenges has been great fun. The highlight has definitely been the Baby Photo Quiz held during Week 6 where boarders and staff submitted photos that were shared on PowerPoint at a House Meeting. We have also celebrated all the boarders’ birthdays with a chocolate cake, candles, party poppers and singing. Two of our Year 12 boarders turned 18 in early May. We even commemorated ANZAC Day by sharing the recipe for ANZAC biscuits and talking about the significance of the day to Australians. 

Over the weeks we have learned a great deal about each other. We have shared our favourite and least popular meals at Illawarra and learned about everyone’s favourite study snacks. The most popular study snacks are Oreo cookies and Maltesers, whilst everyone has a different favourite meal. Many of the boarders have also shared photos of sunsets and paddocks from their home and also introduced us to their pets and farm animals.