education*
To BOARD or not to board?
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TODAY’S BOARDING EXPERIENCE IS A VASTLY DIFFERENT, INFINITELY NUANCED SCENARIO, FOCUSED ON FACILITATING A NURTURING SPACE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO ACQUIRE A RANGE AND DEPTH OF LIFE SKILLS, AND BECOME THE BEST VERSION OF THEMSELVES, WRITES ANNE SCHAUFFER
n almost every possible way, boarding establishments bear little relation to those of yesteryear. They go back centuries of course, initially to little cloistered religious institutions with students isolated from society, then evolving into military-type academies, and eventually, into more secular establishments. Consultation with the children wasn’t on the radar. “In the past, the decision to send a child to boarding school was born out of circumstance – no suitable ‘day’ option close to home,” says Peter Storrar, Director of Advancements at Hilton College. “Nowadays, many families have access to quality schooling on their doorstep so, in that sense, the necessity for boarding has (for some) diminished.” But necessity is by no means the only driver: “For many boys, boarding is more effective and appropriate than it has ever been,” says Peter. “Traffic, cellphones, social media, pollution, crime, malls and time-consuming commutes can undermine the quality of an adolescent’s education. Teenagers are far better served spending their time engaging with their
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peers face-to-face, enjoying the outdoors, and discovering more about themselves in a healthy and safe environment.” Clearly, life today is very different, with time being a scarce commodity, particularly for working parents. It’s often a massive challenge to protect children while still giving them freedom – elements like limiting screen and mall time isn’t easy when you aren’t there. Thomas Barry, Deputy Principal of
Teenagers are far better served spending their time engaging with their peers face-to-face Northwood, says, “Learners worldwide attend Northwood, but many families in the community want the option of sending their sons to a boarding school with the convenience of simultaneously playing a more hands-on role. The independence and responsibility that comes from being away from home encourages boys to solve their own problems and make their
own decisions.” Megan de Beer is an integrative psychologist who, for the past 20 years, has run her annual course ‘Strong Mothers, Strong Sons’ in top boys boarding schools countrywide: “Things have changed radically over the years. All boys’ boarding schools are far more sensitive and open to boys’ emotional intelligence.” For Megan, the huge positive is freedom and safety for South African children: “The powerful, natural teenage impulse for independence and freedom, to be separate from their parents, be their own person, discover who they are … is part of that experimentation heading into adulthood.” For many, boarding school is the perfect space in which that can play out “safely”. Is boarding school for every child? “No,” says Paul Bushell, educational psychologist and author: “The decision to send a child to boarding school needs careful consideration – every child is different. For many parents this means suspending their own hopes and dreams, and exploring how this decision will maximise their child’s holistic development. There is value in having conversations with the
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