A typical day in the life of a boarder at Pembroke...
- Starts with both boys and girls coming together to eat a healthy breakfast in the dining room from 7.30 am.
- This is followed by a busy day at school.
- If a boarder is unwell after waking they would speak to boarding staff. The school nurse would then visit the boarding house and assess the unwell boarder who would be in the boarding house infirmary. The local doctor surgery is a very short distance from the boarding house, should a sick boarder need a doctor’s consultation.
- Boarders take their musical instruments to school if they have an instrumental lesson that day and their Physical Education uniform is also taken if timetabled for Physical Education.
- A hot lunch is provided in respective campuses, either Middle or Senior School.
- Senior boarders may return back to the boarding house if they have a “free study period” in lesson 6 on any school day, much like a day school student may return home if they did not have a formal last lesson on a school day.
- After school, boarders return to the boarding house at 3.30 pm and enjoy a healthy afternoon snack.
- Time after school is spent involved in school sport, doing private study or relaxing with friends.
- Dinner is all together again in the dining room at 6 pm.
- Supervised evening “Prep” (homework) starts at 7pm (Sunday to Thursday inclusive), for at least one and half hours each night.
- Private study continues for senior students as they wish, with helpful tutors available until 10 pm.
- Wifi enabled devices are locked away in the evening for students in Years 7-11.
- Lights out are from 9.30 pm and bedtimes are staggered for the different age ranges.
I came to AusÂtralia in 2016, and I have spent three years at PemÂbroke as an interÂnaÂtionÂal stuÂdent and as a boardÂer in the boardÂing house. I was scared and frightÂened on my first day at PemÂbroke and I did not know anyÂthing about this new study enviÂronÂment, and I did not know anyÂone. NevÂerÂtheÂless, when I calmed down and went into the classÂroom, my teacher and classÂmates were so friendÂly that I got involved in the class much more quickÂly than I imagÂined before. After a while, I made some new friends and got familÂiar with PemÂbroke. LivÂing in the boardÂing house makes me feel like livÂing at home. There are many loveÂly house superÂviÂsors who help us with everyÂthing, and they are like our friends as well. Three years of boardÂing life has slipped away so fast and now I have to say goodÂbye to these unforÂgetÂtable experiences
A Day in the Life
The day I arrived at the PemÂbroke boardÂing house I had no idea what to expect. I knew nothÂing about boardÂing housÂes and how they operÂatÂed, or how I would carÂry out my norÂmal rouÂtine such as showÂerÂing, brushÂing my teeth, etc. So, when Dad dropped me off at school, I was set for a new chapter.
ThroughÂout my first week in the boardÂing house I disÂcovÂered that there was nothÂing more relaxed (although it may sound strange) than livÂing with more than 30 othÂer boys in the same house! To start off, it was amazÂing to me how each staff memÂber of the boardÂing house was so dedÂiÂcatÂed to the care of all stuÂdents. As well, as a comÂmuÂniÂty of boardÂers we all conÂstantÂly step up to help someÂone in need, even if it be for the litÂtle things like a spare tooth brush, some toothÂpaste or givÂing you the maths homeÂwork you forÂgot to do.
I rememÂber the two things that were said to all new boys at the first boardÂing house meetÂing I attendÂed;​“play as many sports as posÂsiÂble and abide always by the 4 Rs: responÂsiÂbilÂiÂties, resilience, relaÂtionÂships, and respect”. These 4Rs proÂvide the basic guideÂlines for anyÂone who lives and works in the boardÂing house. For me, boardÂing at PemÂbroke has proÂvidÂed a terÂrifÂic atmosÂphere of friendÂship and recreÂation, and one that I believe helps remove the stress of day-to-day responÂsiÂbilÂiÂties assoÂciÂatÂed with school.
