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 refectory 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 Refectory 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 Australia in 2016, and I have spent three years at Pembroke as an international student and as a boarder in the boarding house. I was scared and frightened on my first day at Pembroke and I did not know anything about this new study environment, and I did not know anyone. Nevertheless, when I calmed down and went into the classroom, my teacher and classmates were so friendly that I got involved in the class much more quickly than I imagined before. After a while, I made some new friends and got familiar with Pembroke. Living in the boarding house makes me feel like living at home. There are many lovely house supervisors who help us with everything, and they are like our friends as well. Three years of boarding life has slipped away so fast and now I have to say goodbye to these unforgettable experiences
The day I arrived at the Pembroke boarding house I had no idea what to expect. I knew nothing about boarding houses and how they operated, or how I would carry out my normal routine such as showering, brushing my teeth, etc. So, when Dad dropped me off at school, I was set for a new chapter.
Throughout my first week in the boarding house I discovered that there was nothing more relaxed (although it may sound strange) than living with more than 30 other boys in the same house! To start off, it was amazing to me how each staff member of the boarding house was so dedicated to the care of all students. As well, as a community of boarders we all constantly step up to help someone in need, even if it be for the little things like a spare tooth brush, some toothpaste or giving you the maths homework you forgot to do.
I remember the two things that were said to all new boys at the first boarding house meeting I attended;“play as many sports as possible and abide always by the 4 Rs: responsibilities, resilience, relationships, and respect”. These 4Rs provide the basic guidelines for anyone who lives and works in the boarding house. For me, boarding at Pembroke has provided a terrific atmosphere of friendship and recreation, and one that I believe helps remove the stress of day-to-day responsibilities associated with school.
