Co-ed boarding: a unique advantage

Boarding the South Island’s only coeducational boarding environment is a special and unique experience, says the new director of boarding at St Andrew’s College, Matt Parr.

‘‘Before I came to St Andrew’s I wondered, as some parents may, whether boys might be a distraction to the girls in the boarding environment and vice versa. But I’ve been genuinely surprised to discover the opposite is true.

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‘‘It’s great to see the way the students in the two boys’ and one girls’ boarding houses interact, and the healthy relationships between different age groups within each house. It’s really impressive,’’ he says.

Head of girls’ boarding Loren Hay echoes these thoughts. She left her family’s dairy farm in Mid Canterbury to start boarding at St Andrew’s four years ago, when she was in Year 9, and has made many new friends along the way.

‘‘As I started this new chapter in my life and was introduced to so many new faces, little did I know these strangers would soon become like sisters and brothers to me. It has been a big, exciting journey, and we’ve made so many endless, special memories together.’’

Matt oversees a large team of caring and enthusiastic staff, including house managers, assistant house managers, and tutors in each of the three boarding houses at St Andrew’s College. His philosophy on supporting student wellbeing and achievement revolves around making decisions based on ‘‘what a great parent might do’’.

‘‘I believe great parents set the culture and tone of their family and foster a sense of belonging, protection and direction. We set the same intentions in our boarding family at St Andrew’s, as we support the students in their main objective for being here, to get a great education.’’

Boarders at St Andrew’s College enjoy state-of-the art, highly resourced facilities and a well-structured routine.

They are encouraged to strive for individual excellence in their academic, sporting and cultural pursuits, and to participate fully in boarding life.

Matt has a strong belief in what he calls ‘‘the boarders’ advantage’’.

‘‘Our boarders develop a wide range of life skills from communal living, such as socialisation, organisational skills and resourcefulness, which will help them to flourish in life well beyond secondary school.’’

Our boarders develop a wide range of life skills . . . which will help them to flourish in life well beyond secondary school. Matt Parr Director of boarding St Andrew’s College

St Andrew’s College director of boarding Matt Parr says co-educational boarding is not the distraction some parents might expect but instead contributes to the healthy interaction of students at the school.