In this discussion, we’ll explore the concerns many potential boarding school parents and students have when faced with the question of coping in a new academic environment. There is often a concern, particularly when a student is coming from a remote school situation where perhaps academic exercise isn’t as rigorous – will they be able to keep up? Will they be able to cope? What are the expectations? What will be the emotional impact? Are those concerns really warranted?
- Is parental concern warranted? Just how important is academic prowess to the emotional wellbeing of a new boarder?
- What support mechanisms are in place at boarding schools to lift our country students once they arrive?
- How best can parents prepare their child for the big step that is secondary education at boarding school?
- How do schools best identify what a student is capable of academically?
- How do schools and parents work together to give a student a love of learning?
Panellists:
- Jasmine Palmer, Abbotsleigh (Sydney, NSW), Acting Head of Boarding, Director of Co-Curricular
- Lisa Chalmers, Barker College (Sydney, NSW) Director of Health & Wellbeing
- Dr Lisa Fahey OAM, Psychologist and founding director of Quovus
- Ruby Riethmuller, Founder & Director of Womn-Kind
- Jennifer Cowley OAM, Facilitator
