Rosie Yates and her family in Yerong Creek, NSW
Rosie Yates and her family in Yerong Creek, NSW
Heading Home
Melbourne Girls Grammar has always been proud to provide a home away from home in our Boarding House, where rural, regional and international students feel comfortable and live within a supportive community. Just as our boarders were settling into boarding life for 2020, they were all sent home again! Our Director of Boarding, Amanda Haggie continues to check in with her ‘house mates’ as they adjust to life back at home with their families.
Staying connected with our boarders during their time away from the Boarding House was a priority for staff during the initial weeks of remote learning. We take our role of acting in ‘loco parentis’ very seriously, so while the girls were no longer physically in the House, school was still in session.
We know our students, and particularly our boarders, can adapt to new environments and make the most of any situation, so it was no surprise when the School offered remote learning, our girls were ready to go home and keep learning. Of course, there’s always an adjustment period. As one of our rural boarders Rosie said, “I haven’t had to do homework at home since I was in Year 8, so it is taking a bit of getting used to.”
Rosie, now in Year 12, is from a sheep stud in Yerong Creek in the Riverina area of NSW. When reflecting on what it was like to be at home, Rosie enthusiastically reported that she was loving having all five of her family members back together. “It’s been such a long time since we have been together as my sister Ruby is at University in Queensland and my brother Robert lives in Melbourne. It feels like normal life!” The family also unconsciously started a nightly routine of gathering on the verandah to throw the frisbees to the dog before dinner.
To stay motivated with her schoolwork, Rosie set up a remote learning schedule. She completed her Zoom lessons and after ‘virtual school’ she continued to study until 5.30pm. Rosie had some downtime and then continued with study or homework tasks. “I am so used to the schedule in the Boarding House that I found it easier to try and mimic this at home. It is harder to be motivated from home, but I have an end game of finishing Year 12 on a high. Exams are still going ahead so I can’t really afford NOT to be motivated.”
Rosie reports that while her internet is not the greatest, she still values the importance of connecting with her friends. She does this via Snapchat or phone calls and was recently part of a Zoom session to celebrate her friend's 18th birthday.
Keeping active has also been a focus for Rosie who along with her siblings likes to help out on the farm; pulling down fences, moving sheep and basically, “doing whatever dad tells us to.” Rosie has also been doing some boxing sessions with sister Ruby on the front lawn and walking the family dog.
Although Rosie is enjoying the time at home and being around family, this whole experience has made her realise how much she enjoys school and being around people. “The fact that I can’t go to school at the moment makes me want to even more!”
To stay motivated with her schoolwork, Rosie set up a remote learning schedule. She completed her Zoom lessons and after ‘virtual school’ she continued to study until 5.30pm. Rosie had some downtime and then continued with study or homework tasks. “I am so used to the schedule in the Boarding House that I found it easier to try and mimic this at home. It is harder to be motivated from home, but I have an end game of finishing Year 12 on a high. Exams are still going ahead so I can’t really afford NOT to be motivated.”
Rosie reports that while her internet is not the greatest, she still values the importance of connecting with her friends. She does this via Snapchat or phone calls and was recently part of a Zoom session to celebrate her friend's 18th birthday.
Keeping active has also been a focus for Rosie who along with her siblings likes to help out on the farm; pulling down fences, moving sheep and basically, “doing whatever dad tells us to.” Rosie has also been doing some boxing sessions with sister Ruby on the front lawn and walking the family dog.
Although Rosie is enjoying the time at home and being around family, this whole experience has made her realise how much she enjoys school and being around people. “The fact that I can’t go to school at the moment makes me want to even more!”
To stay motivated with her schoolwork, Rosie set up a remote learning schedule. She completed her Zoom lessons and after ‘virtual school’ she continued to study until 5.30pm. Rosie had some downtime and then continued with study or homework tasks. “I am so used to the schedule in the Boarding House that I found it easier to try and mimic this at home. It is harder to be motivated from home, but I have an end game of finishing Year 12 on a high. Exams are still going ahead so I can’t really afford NOT to be motivated.”
Rosie reports that while her internet is not the greatest, she still values the importance of connecting with her friends. She does this via Snapchat or phone calls and was recently part of a Zoom session to celebrate her friend's 18th birthday.
Keeping active has also been a focus for Rosie who along with her siblings likes to help out on the farm; pulling down fences, moving sheep and basically, “doing whatever dad tells us to.” Rosie has also been doing some boxing sessions with sister Ruby on the front lawn and walking the family dog.
Although Rosie is enjoying the time at home and being around family, this whole experience has made her realise how much she enjoys school and being around people. “The fact that I can’t go to school at the moment makes me want to even more!”
Rosie Yates and her brother Robert
Rosie Yates and her brother Robert
At another farm in Western Victoria, one of our new Year 9 boarders, Charlotte, only had a few short weeks of time in the Boarding House before she returned home to begin remote learning.
I first met Charlotte at Hamilton’s annual ‘Sheepvention’ in August 2019. Charlotte, together with her twin sisters Kate and Louise, approached me with her big smile. The confidence she displayed, before her mother even had a chance to greet me, revealed Charlotte to be mature beyond her years. It was obvious from the start that Charlotte would seamlessly transition into boarding life at MGGS. Since starting this year, she had already made such a positive contribution to our community, genuinely happy and ready to make new friends. I was keen to check in with this boarder from Willaura to see how she was managing remote learning.
Missing the bustling vibe of boarding, particularly her dormitory with other Year 9s, Charlotte acknowledges it is much quieter at home. What I loved hearing about most was Charlotte’s entrepreneurial and creative pursuits at home. With many regulars and some keen gardeners in her neighbourhood, Charlotte is making the most of the opportunity. Through her small business she is packaging up sheep manure to meet the demand and supplying it for just four dollars per bag. She pretty much sells out every time. Quite a different setting to her home away from home on Anderson Street in South Yarra!
At another farm in Western Victoria, one of our new Year 9 boarders, Charlotte, only had a few short weeks of time in the Boarding House before she returned home to begin remote learning.
I first met Charlotte at Hamilton’s annual ‘Sheepvention’ in August 2019. Charlotte, together with her twin sisters Kate and Louise, approached me with her big smile. The confidence she displayed, before her mother even had a chance to greet me, revealed Charlotte to be mature beyond her years. It was obvious from the start that Charlotte would seamlessly transition into boarding life at MGGS. Since starting this year, she had already made such a positive contribution to our community, genuinely happy and ready to make new friends. I was keen to check in with this boarder from Willaura to see how she was managing remote learning.
Missing the bustling vibe of boarding, particularly her dormitory with other Year 9s, Charlotte acknowledges it is much quieter at home. What I loved hearing about most was Charlotte’s entrepreneurial and creative pursuits at home. With many regulars and some keen gardeners in her neighbourhood, Charlotte is making the most of the opportunity. Through her small business she is packaging up sheep manure to meet the demand and supplying it for just four dollars per bag. She pretty much sells out every time. Quite a different setting to her home away from home on Anderson Street in South Yarra!
Charlotte and her new entrepreneurial pursuit
Charlotte and her new entrepreneurial pursuit
Charlotte and her new entrepreneurial pursuit
Finding New Companions
In the heart of Prom Country, Claudia is using her time at home to get ahead with her learning, but she’s also making the most of time with family. “It's been amazing. I hadn't seen my family all term and had been especially missing my little sister. I don't think I've been at home for this long since I started at Melbourne Girls Grammar last year.”
We know that our boarders are a fantastic group who provide empathy and care to one another during difficult times, and they’re all missing that amazing bond they have with the girls in the House. It’s been so great to hear about everything they’ve been doing to keep busy though. Claudia’s tips for her time at home include:
- Keep your workspace neat and full of things that inspire you
- Start a project
- Do something you’ve always wanted to, but didn’t have time for
- Stay active
Claudia has been loving the daily 'Find Your 30+' Videos uploaded by the Artemis team to stay active. “I think 'Find your 30+' is such a great idea. I normally stick to the strength classes because I find that it clears my head and helps me focus.”
Finding New Companions
In the heart of Prom Country, Claudia is using her time at home to get ahead with her learning, but she’s also making the most of time with family. “It's been amazing. I hadn't seen my family all term and had been especially missing my little sister. I don't think I've been at home for this long since I started at Melbourne Girls Grammar last year.”
We know that our boarders are a fantastic group who provide empathy and care to one another during difficult times, and they’re all missing that amazing bond they have with the girls in the House. It’s been so great to hear about everything they’ve been doing to keep busy though. Claudia’s tips for her time at home include:
- Keep your workspace neat and full of things that inspire you
- Start a project
- Do something you’ve always wanted to, but didn’t have time for
- Stay active
Claudia has been loving the daily 'Find Your 30+' Videos uploaded by the Artemis team to stay active. “I think 'Find your 30+' is such a great idea. I normally stick to the strength classes because I find that it clears my head and helps me focus.”
Finding New Companions
In the heart of Prom Country, Claudia is using her time at home to get ahead with her learning, but she’s also making the most of time with family. “It's been amazing. I hadn't seen my family all term and had been especially missing my little sister. I don't think I've been at home for this long since I started at Melbourne Girls Grammar last year.”
We know that our boarders are a fantastic group who provide empathy and care to one another during difficult times, and they’re all missing that amazing bond they have with the girls in the House. It’s been so great to hear about everything they’ve been doing to keep busy though. Claudia’s tips for her time at home include:
- Keep your workspace neat and full of things that inspire you
- Start a project
- Do something you’ve always wanted to, but didn’t have time for
- Stay active
Claudia has been loving the daily 'Find Your 30+' Videos uploaded by the Artemis team to stay active. “I think 'Find your 30+' is such a great idea. I normally stick to the strength classes because I find that it clears my head and helps me focus.”
We continue to be impressed by the adaptability of our girls to learning remotely at home and in making the most of this quite unusual new world order. We have been incredibly encouraged by the strength of character our boarders have shown and the time they have taken to stay connected by sharing photos, video conferencing and messaging each other. Our focus as a Boarding House, is to remain connected, because we all know that our friends and relationships are so important to our wellbeing.
"Our focus as a Boarding House, is to remain connected, because we all know that our friends and relationships are so important to our wellbeing."
We continue to be impressed by the adaptability of our girls to learning remotely at home and in making the most of this quite unusual new world order. We have been incredibly encouraged by the strength of character our boarders have shown and the time they have taken to stay connected by sharing photos, video conferencing and messaging each other. Our focus as a Boarding House, is to remain connected, because we all know that our friends and relationships are so important to our wellbeing.
"Our focus as a Boarding House, is to remain connected, because we all know that our friends and relationships are so important to our wellbeing."
We continue to be impressed by the adaptability of our girls to learning remotely at home and in making the most of this quite unusual new world order. We have been incredibly encouraged by the strength of character our boarders have shown and the time they have taken to stay connected by sharing photos, video conferencing and messaging each other. Our focus as a Boarding House, is to remain connected, because we all know that our friends and relationships are so important to our wellbeing.
"Our focus as a Boarding House, is to remain connected, because we all know that our friends and relationships are so important to our wellbeing."