Boarding School Special:
Student insights from Singapore to Australia
Give us an insight into where your Singapore-based boarding students come from.
A small number of boarders have families residing in Hong Kong, and around 50 nationalities are represented in the boarding community as a whole. (In the entire student body we have around 90 nationalities!) So, our boarders not only gain insights into many different cultures, but also discover a deeper appreciation of what’s special about their own.
Life in the boarding community is enriched by the scholars who make up around 30 percent of our residential boarding community. These are students from all over the world who would not normally be able to access a UWCSEA education; they’re given a place based on academic ability and their commitment to UWC’s mission and values.
Can you tell us a bit about the boarding accommodation and facilities at the school?
Logistically, Singapore is easily accessible from all parts of the world. It’s a global city with a secure environment and an extensive transport network – an easy and safe place for our boarders to be given meaningful independence. Our residential life programme is carefully monitored to support students to develop important life skills on, and outside of, the campus.
As for accommodation, at both the East and Dover Campus student rooms are based on age and grade, and located in single gender areas. They can be four-bedded rooms, two-bedded rooms or single accommodation, depending on the campus and grade. Students are given hotel-style security key-card access to the boarding house and their particular floor.
How has UWCSEA coped with the added pressures of COVID-19 this year?
Our priority in providing the best possible care and support for boarders and their families hasn’t changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but we have been challenged to find alternate ways to offer that support. Our houseparents, who live in the boarding house with their families, and who are also teachers in the school, and day parents play a pivotal role in the care of our boarding students and families. For students who can’t be here in person due to travel restrictions, we continue to offer support for their socio-emotional wellbeing and academic development using online tools.
What are some elements that make for a successful boarding experience?
Our boarding programme prepares young people for university life and beyond. It’s a genuine pre-university residential experience, with opportunities for individual students to test the key skills of independence and selfmanagement in the “outside” world while still living in a nurturing community.
What do the students like most about boarding?
Undoubtedly, the lifelong friendships and relationships they form with peers and adults from an extraordinary range of backgrounds. There’s a special bond created by living in this kind of community, and each boarder is definitively moulded by the experience. The sense of community and support is very strong, and our boarders keep in touch with us and each other for many years after they leave.
Applications are now open for entry to UWCSEA in August 2021. To find out more, contact admissions@uwcsea.edu.sg. uwcsea.edu.sg uwcsea.edu.sg/community/boarding
What brought your family to Hong Kong?
My husband came here in 1999 and my workplace transferred me in 2000. We always thought we’d stay a few years before moving on… Well, we’ve now been here 20 years!
We chat with a current student of Wenona School and her family about boarding in Australia.
What made you decide on boarding for Zahra?
We’re both from Australia and had always planned for our three children to school there to help them build their own links with the country. They have understood from a young age that boarding would be a likely outcome if we were still based offshore. So, Zahra was mentally ready for it. We’re lucky she’s had the confidence to fully immerse herself with boarding and Wenona. She’s our oldest child and her success with boarding helps us better prepare our other two children when their turn comes.
Why Wenona?
Our nieces attend Wenona and we have friends who are current Wenonians. Having familiar faces at lunchtime makes a world of difference for a new boarder. In particular, Wenona’s vision and values that focus on transforming girls into empowered and confident young women really resonates with us.
Boarding has been fantastic for Zahra. She’s always been confident, but we’ve seen her become strongly motivated to participate fully in the school, set goals and work hard to succeed. Also, the structured nature of boarding has helped her develop discipline and time management skills.
What would you say to parents considering boarding in Sydney for their daughter?
Get to know the school as much as possible before you commit. Speak to past and present students and families. We found the Wenona Enrolments Team and, in particular, the Head of Boarding very welcoming, responsive and thoughtful when dealing with our frequent enquiries. This was a good indicator of how things would work once we committed, and it speaks volumes about the level of care and support we feel Zahra receives.
We miss having Zahra at home tremendously, but we ensure she’s here every holiday (if she’s not on a trip somewhere with fellow boarders!). We speak with her most afternoons. As time has gone on, she sometimes forgets to call, but we know this is because she is happy and thriving in her environment.
How would you describe the Wenona boarding house culture?
It’s very homely and welcoming to everyone. The first time I visited the boarding house during our orientation, all the girls were so kind and helped me feel less sad about going to boarding school. Even now, if we’re feeling homesick or not having a good day, we know there is always someone to talk to.
How are you supported at Wenona to reach your goals?
Evening supervised prep provides me with a distraction-free environment, so I can reach my goals of completing my work on time and thoroughly. Teachers from different faculties support students in the evening study centre, allowing us to get help when we need it.
Wenona’s location means I can try the many different sports on offer, and the day girls and their parents help me get to the trials and games. There are also lots of different clubs and groups to join. For example, The W is a student-led magazine that gives us an opportunity to write about topics and interests we’re passionate about. The fact that I’m on campus 24/7 means I can always get things like books for evening prep, even if I’ve accidentally left them in my locker!
To enquire about boarding at Wenona, contact the Director of Enrolments and Marketing, Belinda Stoneham, at +61 2 9409 4440 or bstoneham@wenona.nsw.edu.au.