A - Z of Important Information

Absences

If a boarder is unwell and cannot attend school, they will be looked after in the Health Centre by the school nurse. The Boarding House staff will notify the school of your daughter’s absence.

Activities

There are a range of exciting activities that take place in the Boarding House throughout the year. In addition, there are various socials hosted amongst Boarding Schools which provides an opportunity for Boarders to get to know each other.

Special weekend activities are planned by the Boarding House and include activities both inhouse and excursions outside such as ice-skating, shopping adventures and events in the city of Melbourne.

Bedrooms

Each room contains a bed, a wardrobe with lockable cupboards, a desk, shelves, a pinboard and an ergonomic desk chair.

All bedrooms have a controlled heating and cooling system which allows boarders to control their room temperature.

Sheets, pillows, pillow slips and towels are provided by the Boarding House. Boarders need to bring or buy their own duvet and duvet covers. Bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas in the Boarding House are cleaned each weekday morning by cleaning staff and all areas of the Boarding House are deep cleaned during each holiday break.

Students are responsible for the cleanliness and care of their rooms. This is an important life-skill, and an expectation in our community. If your daughter is not practiced in this, please help her by encouraging her to clean her room in the months prior to commencing at PLC.

Behaviour

Students are encouraged and expected to behave in a way that reflects care, consideration and respect for others. College policies reinforce values that guide students to be responsible, informed members of the community.

The following guidelines are intended to help boarders thrive in a boarding community.

Boarders are expected to:

• be considerate of each other in regard to personal space and personal belongings

• behave in a considerate manner in the day-today running of the Boarding House

• be polite to each other and to staff

• make their own bed each morning before going to school and keep their room tidy

• be punctual for meals, school and bed times

• adhere to the requirements for leaving the Boarding House

• use their technological devices responsibly

Bullying

Bullying in any form is not tolerated in the Boarding House.

Alcohol, Smoking and Drug Abuse

The purchase, possession, supply or consumption of cigarettes or e-cigarettes, alcohol, illicit drugs and/or illicit drug paraphernalia by students is strictly prohibited in the Boarding House, school environment, at functions, excursions, camps, trips, tours, when representing the College, when wearing College uniform and in transit to or from the Boarding House and school grounds.

While on College premises, at functions, excursions, trips, tours or when representing the College in any way, students are not permitted to smoke or be under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs.

Birthdays

Each term a birthday dinner is held to celebrate the birthdays of boarders that term. Each celebration has a theme and the dining room is decorated accordingly. Boarders celebrating their birthday that term get to choose the menu for the night. Birthday nights are a highlight for the boarders.

Boarders’ Parents’ Association

The Boarders’ Parents’ Association meets termly on the day prior to term commencing. It provides an ideal forum for parents/local support people to discuss issues relating to the Boarding House, offer suggestions for changes or projects, and contribute thoughts and ideas on how to improve life in the Boarding House. It also provides an opportunity for parents to meet each other.

We strongly encourage you to come along and be a part of these gatherings, to share experiences with other parents as well as hear more about the life of boarding at PLC.

Boarding House Captains and Committee

Each year, the boarders have the opportunity to elect two Boarding House Captains and eight Committee members. Eligible boarders are from the current Year 10 and Year 11 cohort. The Boarding House Committee regularly liaises with the Head of Boarding and works with them in supporting younger students, maintaining morale and organising special events.

Chapel

Boarders attend a Chapel service each Monday night. This provides an opportunity for reflection for both boarders and staff.

There are a number of common rooms throughout the Boarding House and they are each fitted with a fridge, kettle. microwave and supplies of milk, tea, coffee and Milo.

Games and jigsaw puzzles are available for the boarders.

There are two kitchens in the Boarding House available to boarders who wish to bake or cook.

English Language

Language should not be used to exclude others. As in the day school, boarders are expected to converse in English while they are in public spaces such as the common rooms and corridors. This demonstrates respect and consideration for others and encourages the development of a stronger sense of community. Boarders may converse in another language in their rooms or other spaces provided all students present speak the language. English must be spoken when other students or staff are present.

Boarders may have their own mobile phones, however, these cannot be used during prep time. Mobile phones for Year 7–10 students must be stored in the provided technology lockers overnight.

Boarders are also permitted to have laptops, tablets and other electronic devices in the Boarding House. Boarders are expected to adhere to the acceptable use of mobile devices policy at all times.

Electrical Goods

Upon arrival to the Boarding House, all electrical goods will be checked and tagged to ensure it meets Australian Safety Standards. Electrical goods with international plugs or international adaptors are not permitted and will be confiscated. Boarders therefore need to purchase electrical goods (including hair dryers, phone chargers, etc.) in Australia to ensure they meet Australian Safety Standards.

Health Centre

The Health Centre is located in the Boarding House and a registered nurse is available for consultation between 8.00am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Full time Boarding House staff members are first-aid trained and are available at any hour of the day or night for emergencies or other medical concerns. The Boarding House is close to a major hospital as well as several medical centres. The Boarding House staff and/or our registered nurse can assist with booking medical appointments and making necessary transport arrangements for boarders. Students can attend doctor or specialist appointments when approved by Head of Boarding.

Boarders who are unwell and cannot attend classes are admitted to the Health Centre and cared for by our registered nurse.

It is vital that the School receive any relevant allergy or asthma management plans for your daughter before she commences at PLC.

Please ensure that the nurse is notified of any changes to your daughter’s medical needs and immunisation record as well as details of any medication she is taking. This can be updated via the Family Details page on Wyse - the PLC intranet. It is also important to inform the nurse if your daughter has been unwell or has received medical treatment whilst away from the Boarding House.

Boarders are not permitted to keep any medication in their rooms without the consent of the nurse. All medication must be handed in to be kept in the dispensary as it is essential to record all medication and the dosage given. This includes paracetamol and other similar medication. Parents or the local support person will be notified if their daughter is not well enough to remain at the Boarding House and suitable alternative arrangements will need to be made for her care.

If your daughter has a Medicare card, it is helpful for this to be kept in the Boarding House so that it can be used if your daughter needs to visit a doctor.

It is also recommended that your daughter has ambulance cover, as not all private health funds include ambulance cover.

Homework

Homework time is referred to as “Prep” in the Boarding House.

Prep time commences after dinner at 7pm on Monday to Thursday. Staff actively supervise boarders during this time and are available to assist with questions.

Students in Years 7 to 10 do their Prep in the Year 12 Area in the Senior School, whilst boarders in Years 11 and 12 do Prep in their bedrooms. Boarders are not to use their mobile phones during this time.

Internet Use

PLC recognises its duty to students to provide a safe and positive learning environment which includes the responsible use of information and communication technology (ICT).

All students at PLC are required to read and sign the Student Information and Communication Technology Policy.

The PLC Boarding House provides boarders with access to the College network for educational purposes. After hours and on weekends, the network is also available for Boarders to use for entertainment and communicating with friends and family.

Boarders are required to connect all of their devices to the school network. This includes mobile phones, laptops, tablets and any other electronic devices.

Meals

All meals and snacks are prepared in the Boarding House kitchen by our caterers.

Breakfast is highly recommended as it is nutritious and a great way to set the boarders up for the rest of the day.

Lunch is served in the dining room. Boarders can choose to eat inside the dining room or to have a take away lunch and eat outside with their day school and boarding friends.

Bagged lunches will be prepared for any boarders unable to return to the dining room to collect lunch. For example, if attending an excursion.

Boarders are encouraged to exercise proper table manners but, at the same time, enjoy the evening meal in relaxed circumstances.

Meal times are an important time to enjoy conversations with each other. No mobile phones are permitted in the dining room during dinner.

Fresh fruit is available in the Boarding House at all times.

Members of the Boarding House committee meet with our catering manager each term to discuss and review the menu.

Money

Boarders are advised not to keep large amounts of cash in their rooms. Additional money should be kept in the Boarding House safe.

Boarders are encouraged to carry a bank card which can be used for payments and to withdraw cash if necessary.

Prizes

The Betty Caldwell Prize is a cash prize given to recognise a Year 11 boarder who has made a significant contribution to the wellbeing of others in both the College and the Boarding House. It was originally donated by the late Mr Ken Gifford in memory of his wife Betty Caldwell who was a PLC boarder from 1930–1934.

The Boarders’ Art Prize is a cash prize, awarded annually. The prize aims to encourage boarders in all forms of art and to establish a collection of boarders’ art. The winning piece is framed and becomes part of the art collection in the Boarding House.

Recreational Facilities

The Boarding House has a gym as well as three music practice rooms, where boarders can play their instruments. The gym has treadmills, exercise bikes, rowing machines, weights, pilates equipment and other items which boarders are welcome to use.

There are multiple common areas throughout the Boarding House where boarders can gather to hang out with friends. The main common room is used to host a range of games and activities and also has projector and large screen which is used for movie nights.

Sporting and games equipment, including tennis racquets and balls, badminton racquets and shuttles, table tennis paddles and balls, jigsaw puzzles and other games, is available for the boarders’ recreation. School facilities are available to boarders and can be accessed after school and during weekends. These include:

• 16 hectares of park-like grounds

• gymnasium

• tennis, netball and basketball courts

• badminton court

• heated swimming pool with diving boards

• soccer and hockey fields.

Secure Storage

There is a safe located in the Boarding House office. Any valuable items must be stored in the safe e.g. passport, cash, etc.

Each boarder also has lockable cupboards in their room which should always be kept locked. Any other valuable items should be stored in these locked cupboards. PLC does not accept responsibility for loss or theft of any valuable items.

Special Events

Special events are held in the Boarding House throughout the year and include termly birthday dinners, national boarding week celebrations, international week celebrations, weekend activities and excursions, and mentor group activities in year levels.

Storage

The luggage rooms, located in the basement of the Boarding House, are used for storing empty or partly empty suitcases or boxes. Suitcases and large boxes cannot be stored in bedrooms. Boarders are encouraged to take unnecessary items home with them over the holidays.

Taxis

With parent/guardian permission, staff will arrange a taxi for the boarders upon request. Taxi fares need to be paid for by the boarder. Ubers are not permitted to be used.

Tutoring

Any students who wish to engage an external tutor for extra assistance must provide details of their tutor prior to any tutoring taking place. All tutoring arrangements must be approved by parents/ guardians and the Head of Boarding. The Head of Boarding must be provided with full details of each tutor’s qualifications and other details.

Generally speaking, external tutoring is not required as abundant support is offered by the school. However, if a boarder wishes to employ a tutor, the tutor must have a current Working With Children Check employment status (WWCC) or a current Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) registration.

Boarders are not permitted to attend tutoring in a private home.

Vehicles

Boarders are not permitted to bring or keep vehicles on campus, nor are they allowed to transport other PLC students when they are staying with parents or guardians without the parental permission of all students involved.

Visitors

All visitors must:

• enter and leave by the front door

• sign in and out in the visitors’ book

• introduce themselves to a staff member on each occasion

• only access the Boarding House office foyer and common areas

Male visitors, including fathers and other male family members, are not permitted in corridors or bedrooms. However, an exception is made on the first and last days of term.

Weekends

The first weekend after the boarders return at the start of the school year is a closed weekend, compulsory for all boarding students. This means that all boarders stay in the Boarding House over the weekend for a special program of events which provides the opportunity to get to know other boarders as well as Boarding House routines.

Boarders are allowed to leave the Boarding House on weekends. They need to apply for leave via Orah, the online system used in the PLC Boarding House which is checked by the Head of Boarding before permission is given. Parents are also required to give permission for weekend outings and overnight leave. There are additional leave requirements for overnight leave for international students. An accommodation check must be completed and approved prior to overnight leave and Working With Children Checks must be provided for all individuals staying at the accommodation who are over 18 years old, as per Victorian Government Guidelines. These checks need to be conducted every 6 months. An adult is required to be present for all overnight stays.