North London Collegiate School Jeju
Boarding at NLCS Jeju Start here. Go anywhere.
Boarding - The Future When North London Collegiate School Jeju opened in 2011 we were breaking new ground as the founding school in the newly established Global Education City here on this beautiful island. Our students were being given a very special opportunity to become global citizens of today and tomorrow here in Korea. We started as a very small school where almost all students boarded since then we have gone from strength to strength academically and pastorally and our numbers have swelled to almost 1500. We are changing and growing all the time and we embrace the second decade of NLCS Jeju! Boarding is at the heart of all we do and we want every student to have the opportunity to embrace boarding at some point in their life here. Whether they join us aged four or eleven or later in their school life. - It’s an option we would love you to consider.
So what does boarding at NLCS Jeju mean today?
Dear NLCS Jeju parents, Boarding at NLCS Jeju is a fantastic experience. Boarders benefit from being part of a very close community. They learn to live alongside others and they work, rest and play in world class facilities. When our boarders leave our School and move on to university they are thoroughly ready. They are independent, they are well versed in life skills and the practical realities of living away from parents. For generations, boarding has been a popular option for parents who want something very special for their child’s education. We would love you to consider this option of an enhanced exceptional British education. “ We are the leading boarding school in South Korea and, indeed, Asia. We offer a truly international boarding experience for both Korean and non-Korean passport holders. Our boarding students are valued, supported and inspired in our Boarding Homes. Truly a Home from Home. Lynne Oldfield Principal
The Value of Boarding Around the world there is an acceptance, a heritage and a preference for boarding. The UK, particularly, has a long history of boarding within its education system. Many of the UK’s most prestigious and elite schools employ the boarding model to promote and develop independence and character in their students. Boarders perform better in many studies and many students prefer the academic rigour, the access to facilities to libraries and the academic teaching and support offered within this system.
While we offer the option of Day and Boarding to all our students, we have seen many children in our care grow and flourish under the wings of our Residential teams. Our pastoral care is second to none and we offer every student - whatever their age or stage - the chance to reach their full potential and emerge independent and fully prepared for life at university as a young adult. We urge you to take a fresh look at boarding - NLCS Jeju Boarding. Look at how we’ve changed, updated, refreshed and grown. Give your child the chance to thrive in our redeveloped Homes. We are setting a standard which students will look back on with fondness throughout their lives. The world is changing and students are changing and, recognising that, our boarding provision is always changing.
An Enhanced Exceptional Education At NLCS Jeju we offer an Exceptional British Education. There is no doubt that all our students benefit from over 170 years of tradition, knowledge and teaching. All our students - both day or boarding - are stretched and challenged academically. They are cared for, supported and nurtured throughout the School day and they are recipients of a wonderful range of co-curricular activities. Our students are prepared and nutured from Day One till the day they leave - for lives as throughful and caring global citizens.
Our boarders have all of this and more. We like to say that they receive an Enhanced Exceptional British Education. For them the School day does not end with CCA. Rather, they return to the Boarding Homes with their friends and are greeted by their boarding team who know them well and can anticipate their needs. They have a comfortable room, private space and shared facilities. For our boarders the facilities do not close. We are able to support each and every need. Some students want to swim, others to race to the astro to play football with their friends. Some take advantage of the lovely atriums in the Homes and they relax before an evening’s supported Prep. The important thing is that it is all there for them and their use of facilities is monitored and supervised. Our students can fully explore all aspects of the creative arts - whether they prefer painting, fashion or design. If they are musical - and many are - they can sing, play, form bands, ensembles and relax with karaoke. Boarding students put on dance competitions, musicals, plays , debates and poetry readings.
Academic Support
One of the main reasons for choosing boarding for your son or daughter is likely to be for academic advantage. The majority of our students come from the mainland of the Republic of Korea and so living at our school is a convenient and reasonable option for the whole family. But parents want to know that the child will gain from their time here. For the majority of students who come to boarding they recognise the advantages of experiencing the benefits of a full NLCS Jeju education. Our boarders are not pressured into the hagwon culture - which we believe can be detrimental to the IGCSE and IB philosophy, and indeed can undermine the teaching and learning at NLCS Jeju. An NLCS Jeju education provides all a student requires to realise their greatest aspirations and ambitions. We know that rote learning can be - exhausting and confusing - and can undo the benefits of the School day.
Academic support within our Boarding Homes offers a solution. Specialised academic support is available to boarders, complementing their studies in the school day. They will have sufficient time to study in boarding either in supervised study sessions and in the independent study times both during the week and at weekends. Students are given more guidance on how to study effectively. We believe in quality not quantity. We believe in extra support exactly when it is needed. Our students get all that they need to succeed within our campus. There is no need to go to outside institutions is normal circumstances. Our boarders profit from support from NLCS Jeju specialist school teachers. Every evening they are in the Boarding Homes, supported by our boarding staff. These are the residential BMs and ABMs who are all teachers as well as our specialist Graduate Assistants and Gap Assistants. These young adults are a fantastic support as they have successful study techniques, current knowledge of what universities want and can offer real, practical advice.
Of particular value to our boarders in Halla (Years 12 and 13) are the University Guidance Counsellors. They visit the Homes in the evening, assisting students with applications, essays, choices and many general matters. Their guidance is also available to other Senior students at different times of the year when the pressures of university application are lower. Our boarders have many opportunities for study either in supervised sessions, individual study times and also in collaborative group sessions. When they study with their friends it feels different! Many recent graduates and current Halla students cite the academic atmosphere and support as a reason for their success in acceptance at elite universities. The Halla home can feel like university halls of residence. “The schedules, the study opportunities and support network in Halla are really amazing. “ Na Young, Class 2021, Stanford University.
Pastoral Care When you entrust your child to us, you are giving us the care of your most precious possession. We want our students to have fun and live their best lives. This is their childhood and we don’t forget that. Our boarding staff are all trained in pastoral care and in particular in boarding provision. We also have the added benefit of emotional guidance counsellors on site at all times to support students. We understand that every student will need to talk through concerns at various times - whether it’s academic, friendship, homesickness or just growing pains. Our BMs are ready to be “in Loco parentis” at all times - should a child need physical, emotional, academic support. Like a parent they can be trusted, admired and be a role model. “One of my favourite parts of the day is chatting to the girls before study time in the evening.” BM. “I love talking to the boys and learning their plans for the day - and for life!” ABM.
We are always here to support boarders. At the heart of all we do is our commitment to safeguarding. In ensuring that we provide care of the highest quality we meet BSA standards. We ensure that our boarders have sufficient sleep. A normal healthy teenager needs 8 - 10 hours of sleep a night and we ensure that their schedules accommodate this. We encourage our boarders to take full advantage of the facilities on our campus • • • • • • • •
Indoor & Outdoor spaces, gardens, trees and green areas Libraries Table Tennis Playing fields Tennis, badminton, squash, netball, volleyball and basketball courts Fitness Suite, Yoga and Dance Studios, Spin Cycle Room Swimming Pool Chill out areas
Students who achieve the most academically are those who live healthy lifestyles.
WiFi and IT facilities We understand how important technology is to all students in all aspects of their lives. Our Homes are equipped with wifi and also computers . We are committed to regularly reducing the distractions of technology by switching off WiFi when students should be sleeping and reducing the time when students have personal devices. Our students are regularly given a chance to be free of technology so they can relax - yet everything is at their fingertips when they read it. students bring phones, iPads and other devices which are monitored by the Home Team. We turn off the Wifi at night to allow students to rest properly.
Food High quality, nutritious food is essential for our boarders. Our caterers, Quadra, prepare all meals and the snacks for our boarders. They have breakfast and lunches Monday to Saturday in the Dining Hall as well as a Sunday brunch and all evening meals. There is always a good choice of Asian and Western foods, salads, fruit, vegetables, yoghurt and more. All boarding homes have kitchen facilities, too so that students learn to prepare their own snacks. They can also bake, make drinks and share cakes and cookies. Boarding Homes also organise their own special evenings at weekends such as Pizza Nights, Dumpling-making sessions, BBQs and more.
Medical Care You can trust us with your children’s health needs. We have 24 hour nursing care with our Medical Centre. Our staff are well trained in First Aid and any incident is promptly and safely dealt with. The Medical Centre has qurantine rooms and sick beds. The medicines and treatments are professionally monitored.
Our Homes We are very proud of our boarding homes at NLCS Jeju which opened in September 2011 as an integral, founding part of School and which we are currently redeveloping to further enhance our opportunities. On the right of our campus overlooking the Astro are(aged 9 - 16) three Homes for boys. We then have another recreational area and then beyond this are two Senior girls’ Homes opposite the Junior School. Next to this are the sixth form residences - Halla North - Boys and Halla East - Girls. We align ourselves with the standards of the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) which represents member boarding schools, provides staff training and promotes boarding education in both independent and state boarding schools in 35 countries across the world. We work to ensure the standards in our Boarding Homes exceed the minimum standards of the BSA.
Halla North [Boys] Halla East [Girls] Iho Pyoseon Medical Centre Yongduam
Aewol
Hyeopjae
BSA schools are subject to a variety of different sets of Standards, depending on their geographical location. These safeguard and promote the welfare of children for whom accommodation is provided by boarding schools. You can be sure that when these standards are met your child will be safe and happy. We are developing our accommodation all the time and always listening to feedback about what students want and need. Most Homes provide • • • • • •
Bedroom accommodation across three floors Spacious paired occupancy bedrooms. Some single occupancy rooms for students in the Sixth Form and Year 11 Designated and well-resourced communal studying and socialising areas on the ground floor En suite facilities for all boarders Kitchens and Brew Rooms on each floor
All bedroom areas and floors above the ground floor (first floor) are strictly gender defined and are for residents only. We ensure our Junior students and younger senior students are together and have their own areas. Arranging the accommodation to reflect our demographics and the journey students make from Junior School to Sixth Form prepares them for the different stages in their school life. Grouping all the Senior Homes by gender allows for there to be a greater numbers of students in particular year groups which means that students are helped in developing new friendship groups and sharing common interests. We can also ensure that the social and specialist rooms in each house reflect the requirements of the age groups and students. Boarding Homes, of course, are also home for our staff. Each house has a residential Boarding Master/Mistress, two Assistant Master/Mistresses and additional boarding staff including our Gap and Graduate assistants, as well as a Matron. They help with the boarder’s day to day organisation - including assisting with Wake-Up and making sure they have their daily equipment, books and kits.
Staff are there when students return from their days. They provide a friendly face, any updates and answers to organisational requests. They are there all evening until bedtime. Routine, regularity and familiarity are so important. Each Home has a dedicated Matron - they oversee all laundry, cleaning and housekeeping. Students washing is done promtly and returned the following day. Matrons feel a personal pride in their work and ensure that any contractors meet deadlines and standards.
Boarding Structure
The structure of our boarding teams has been created to ensure that all of our Homes have more dedicated teaching staff. They are all faculty supported and supportive. Boarding Leadership VP Pastoral - Overall AVP (Head of Boarding) Assistant Head of Boarding (Boys) Assistant Head of Boarding (Girls) AVP (Head of Sixth Form) AVP (Pastoral - Junior School) • • • •
3 Boys Homes (Year 7 - 11, one with supported dedicated Junior area Year 5 & 6) 2 Girls Homes (Year 7 - 11, one with supported dedicated Junior area Year 5 & 6) Each with 1 Boarding Master, 2 Assistant Boarding Master, Gaps & Grads 2 Sixth Form Homes ( Halla East - Girls / Halla North - Boys)
Additional Support: • 2 Grad Assistants working throughout the Senior Homes. • Academic support programme (All Teachers. All subjects). • Leadership presence across the Homes (Senior Team & Other School Leaders) • Constant Emotional Guidance Counselling available
*From August 2022
Young Boarding Students are very welcome to board at NLCS Jeju from Years 4, 5 and 6. Before Year 7 they can strongly benefit from it. We recognise that our younger boarders have different needs and requirements and these needs are met in special supported areas of Boys & Girls’ Homes. The children share rooms and form very close bonds early on, which stay with them all their School life. They follow routines as they would at home with sleep, diet, leisure and study tailored to their ages and ensuring that they make the most of their schooldays! The Homes have a lot of opportunities for play (for all ages but especially the younger ones) - with table tennis, pool table and board games as well as lots of outdoor space for basketball courts, bicycles and more. Access to all areas and to assigned specialist staff means their activities are endless!
Senior Boarding Our five Senior Boarding Homes are central to boarding life at NLCS Jeju. We match our academic diamond structure with Girls’ and Boys’ Homes. There lots of time for the students to socialise at their leisure. The boarding teams ensure there are competitions, concerts, trips and more for this to happen. There are three Boys’ Homes and two Girls’ Homes. Boarding masters and mistresses are all experienced in these roles and will be well supported by ABMs and Gap and Graduate Assistants. This ensures an even spread of teaching and pastoral support. The friendship posibilities are endless within this structure!
There is space and privacy as we have a maximum of three students sharing per room with the majority of older students in rooms for two students, only. Some Year 10 and 11 stduents are able to have their own rooms. The focus is on academic support with students having greater access to teachers during Prep time - making it easier to complete homework on time and in greater depth. The extensive study facilities reflect this commitment. Students may study alone or in one of the Study Rooms or they may choose to read quietly outside of Prep time. There are numerous nooks and crannies available to them to use their time wisely. In the evenings you often see impromts lessons & revision sessions in all subjects! In their leisure time our boarders have access to Arts and Music facilities. They challenge each other to karaoke, to pool, to table tennis. They can use the libraries and borrow what they need - and of course they can access the extensive grounds and facilities to run around with friends and enjoy their free time.
Sixth Form
Boarding in Sixth Form is a very popular choice. It is very common for day students to switch to boarding in Years 12 and 13. A Boys’ Sixth Form Home - Halla North and a Girls’ Sixth Form Home - Halla East are led by our teams who understand the perspective and the needs of the young adults in their care. Here students develop a wonderful sense of independence and learn life skills which will prove invaluable as they move on to universities around the world. They have numerous leadership opportunities. Our sixth formers personalise their rooms and their shared living spaces. It truly feels like a home as students congregate together as they return from a day in lessons. They support each other in their dedication to their studies. Again, there are many different areas where students can study. Their rooms are hives of activity and the boarding academic support programme ensures impromptu lessons and lectures and a sharing of skill and passion for each subject. We recognise that our older students need more freedom and our teams allow this while creating a secure support network and a schedule of activities which allows for relaxation in between studies. They have more freedom to explore the island and more privileges. “Boarding is amazing - I wouldn’t change a thing!” Class of 2022 Boarder “I wanted to move to boarding for the IBDP. It’s the right choice for me and for most students. It felt like I was deeply involved in academics and could move at my own pace with the support of my friends and teachers. I highly recommend it.” Class of 2020 Boarder
English Immersion An important benefit of boarding is the truly international atmosphere. Our boarders are encouraged to speak English at all times and can chat to their teachers, BMs and ABMs, the Gap and Grad assistants and to their friends in English. They broaden their vocabulary and have access to a wide range of reading materials to really help them with discussion, thought and ideas. Having English speaking teachers at hand, seven days a week, who truly know our NLCS Jeju curriculum, teaching methods and ethos is invaluable. “There are so many more opportunities for natural interactions with teachers - it’s really helped my language skills. “ James, Year 12 Boarder
Weekends Weekends are a precious time for our boarders whatever their age or stage. We provide a structure with our Bryant programme and trips, competitions and events organized by our boarding teams. There is also plenty of time for independent study, relaxation or exploration of the facilities within the homes and the campus. We offer every opportunity and all support for a healthy balanced lifestyle for our students. A weekend might look like this Saturday • Bryant • Home trip to nearby beach • Home Movie
Sunday • Brunch (after a lie - in) • Jigsaws & Table teniis with friends • Inter Home volleyball or rounders • BBQ Supper
Next Steps We believe that becoming a boarder is an ideal way to experience an Enhanced Exceptional British Education. If you’d like to talk about your child becoming a boarder in 2022 - 23 and joining our new Boarding Homea then we suggest • • • • •
Book a personal conversation with our Head Boys and Head of Girls Boarding Talk to one of our BMs and ABMs Book a Taster Session for your child - see what real life is really like Talk to an existing boarder and ask them what they think Stay tuned for updates and stories via NLCS Jeju Newsletter, social media, sessions and videos streamed via YouTube
CONTACT US AVP Boarding - Mr Peter Scargill - pscargill@nlcsjeju.kr
Start here. Go anywhere.