Busting boarding school myths

These are just a few of the common myths that surround boardings schools - and couldn’t be further from the truth. Education Central speaks to two families about their modern-day experiences of New Zealand boarding schools.

Boarding schools are just like Hogwarts.

Bullying is rife.

The food is bad.

They’re only for rich or rural kids.

Jenn n says wasn asmpe ec s on o senere even-year-o daughter and nine-year-old son two

. many would argue the Waipukurau farming family are spoilt for choice with numerous ualit rimar schools in the Hawke’s Ba region.

But once Jenni spoke with headmaster Sam Edwards, she knew the needed to take a tri to un ey n ar on.

“In our very first conversation with Sam he was very keen to hear what was important for to what our kids were interested in. Then when we visited I was struck by how engaged the children were, and what a safe, happy environment it was.” . describes a massive change in their children’s .

“We went from dropping off a shy, quiet girl at the start, to Charlotte”taking on the Head Girl

She credits the Huntley teaching team, many of whom live on site with their families, with creatin a ma ical famil environment.

“The relationship between staff and students whether it’s on sports field or cultural events is quite magical. There is a love, support and pr etat aven t seen etween sta an students at any other school.”

Like one big family

“It’s just like a big family living together inside a house that’s at school.”

That’s Mahanga Mitchell’s take on boarding school. The Year 11 student is in his second year of boarding at Carruth House at Whangarei Boys’

. ’ .

“I love it. The people that you live with – they’re like your brothers. And the staff are like your

arents. It’s like one bi famil .”

a an gas romeo anga,wce describes as “an at-risk area, with not a lot of opportunities and far away from good schools”. experiences of attending Whangarei Boys’ High School as boarders, Mahanga decided to check it out. Impressed with the academic programme

- articular l sorts andkaahak a-he decided that it was for him, too. He was fortunate to secure a full scholarshi to attend the school as a boarder and hasn’t looked back.

Director of Boarding at Whangarei Boys’ High School Ian Rowe says boarders often cite the key benefits of boarding.

“Carruth House is a place where the boarders

, , , their friends and build self-confidence and interpersonal skills.

“The life lessons and opportunities students recevewneoa rn go use ene em throughout their lives.”