2.1 Preparing for Boarding
2.2 What to Bring and What Not to Bring
2.3 Boarding Life and Routines
2.4 Term Time Daily Routine Overview
2.5 Room
2.6 Shared Areas
2.7 Breakages, Damage and Personal Belongings
2.8 Laundry
2.9 Technology Devices and Internet
2.10 Leave and Travel Arrangements
2.11 Homestay During Holidays (Optional)
2.12 Communication and Engagement with Families
2.13 Medical and Critical Information
2.14 Behaviour Management
2.15 Boarder Uniform and Personal Appearance
2.16 Boarding Security and Emergency
2.17 Catering and Nutrition
2.18 Student Drivers
2.1 Preparing for Boarding
Preparing to live away from home is an exciting and, at time, daunting prospect. Living in Boarding is a communal way of living.
2.2 What to Bring and What Not to Bring
To help students move into Boarding, we have created What to Bring to JPC: Students in Accomodation. This document details uniform, clothing, personal items and what not to bring.
2.3 Boarding Life and Routines
Full details of Boarding Routines and adjustments to these routines can be found in Boarding Routines.
John Paul College Boarders experience their day through routines which are designed to promote positive social, emotional and academic outcomes. A boarding environment uses routines to maintain consistent expectations and provide boarders with a structure to demonstrate personal management and care.
Variations may be implemented in response to specific situations.
2.4 Term Time Daily Routine Overview
Weekday Routine Monday to Friday
- Students wake up at 7:00am and are expected to be at school by 8:00am
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided at set times throughout the week, with late meals available to students participating in co-curricular activities.
- Study Sessions are provided throughout the week to support students academically.
Weekend Routine Friday to Sunday
The weekend routine enables students to participate in co-curricular activities and enjoy downtime after a busy week.
- A later wakeup call
- Weekend activities available
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided at set times, with late meals available to students participating in co-curricular activities.
- Study Sessions and a look towards the week on Sunday evenings.
Boarders have a unique opportunity to embrace the many pathways and co-curricular options the College provides.
Sport and Performing Arts are integral to a holistic John Paul College education and promote important values such as teamwork, commitment and perseverance.
These values reflect our SOARING model, and we will actively encourage our boarders to participate in the many performing arts ensembles, sports and activities available.
Our comprehensive performing arts program is dedicated to excellence. Through orchestras, ensembles, rock bands, choirs, cheerleading, dance companies and drama, we nurture talents, practise to perfection and create unforgettable experiences for every student. For more information, see Performing Arts | Secondary | JPC.
Our extensive and diverse sports programs have a proud and long history of success and contribution to the TAS competition. We offer all students the opportunity to participate, and those with aspirations for further success are encouraged and supported to pursue representative sporting pathways to realise their dreams. For more information, see Co-Curricular Sports | Secondary | JPC.
2.5 Room
Room tidiness is not negotiable! Your child will need to make their bed daily and ensure that their desk and floor are clear of any items to allow our cleaning staff to come through daily and maintain their personal space. Waste bins need to be emptied each day and any food items should be in airtight containers.
2.6 Shared Areas
Each boarder is responsible for ensuring that the tidiness of our shared common room areas, passageways, mini kitchens and bathrooms is always up to an acceptable standard. Boarders will occasionally be asked to do their part in cleaning these areas, and we expect that they will also contribute to its upkeep in addition to utilising the space.
2.7 Breakages, Damage and Personal Belongings
Breakage of or graffiti to any article or equipment in the boarding house must be reported to staff immediately. The cost of repairing or replacing boarding house equipment deliberately damaged by students will be charged to parents' accounts. When allocated to a room, boarders must immediately notify staff of any existing damage or graffiti to avoid confusion regarding responsibility. No materials are to be draped over lights due to potential fire hazards. Insurance to boarders' property is strongly recommended that parents check their insurance policies to ensure adequate personal items coverage. The college does not accept responsibility for expenses arising from loss of or damage to personal effects and property.
2.8 Laundry
John Paul College students take immense pride in wearing Burgundy and Blue, and as such, the laundering of clothes is paramount to meeting College standards of dress and appearance.
All clothing items must be clearly marked with the boarder's name, and it is best done with a laundry marker or sewn-on name labels.
Parents and guardians can purchase labels from a range of suppliers; here are some recommended websites:
My Name Label: http://www.mynamelabel.com.au Stuck on You: http://www.stuckonyou.com.au Tinyme: www.tinyme.com.au
As part of the broader boarder development program, John Paul College has embraced the concept that young people take a hands-on approach to organise their daily needs, including laundering their clothes. The Village has excellent facilities for students to wash, dry and iron their clothing. Our stand-alone laundry building houses six washing machines and dryers.
Doing laundry is another skill that boarders will develop to help them become independent adults. Of course, we will provide assistance when required.
When boarders commence their boarding journey, our professional staff will assist with every effort to establish a washing routine for every boarder. Be assured that boarding staff will monitor and help with laundry daily to ensure our boarders look their best.
2.9 Technology Devices and Internet
The entire boarding village is wirelessly networked, enabling boarders to connect to their school account and internet services. Boarders are afforded an additional data allowance to assist in studying, researching, and communicating with home or family.
The school network is a secure and safe place for boarders to access online content; there is no need for any personal Wi-Fi hotspot or similar devices to be used in the Village. After 11.30pm each evening, the network is limited to web browsing and email only; this ensures that boarders can continue studying and completing academic tasks - the Student Use of Mobile Phones Policy. Boarders are required to follow the Responsible Use of Technology Agreement.
2.10 Leave and Travel Arrangements
Full details of Boarding Leave and Travel arrangement can be found in the Boarding Leave Policy and Procedure.
Parents and students are requested to provide ample notice of leave. This will enable Boarding Staff time to assess and approve the request.
Boarders are expected to travel to and from Fenton Village on specified Boarder Travel Dates - available on the JPC Website.
2.11 Homestay During Holidays (Optional)
All boarders are expected to vacate Fenton Village for vacation periods.
Overseas boarder parents are encouraged to arrange holiday care through guardians, family, or agents. If this is not possible, the College may assist with holiday homestay arrangements. However, there is limited availability.
2.12 Communication and Engagement with Families
Communication is critical to the successful operation of any boarding facility. This is particularly true regarding leave or when boarders are unhappy or require support with some aspect of boarding life. Please refer to the Leave Process in Boarding Routines.
If boarders are dissatisfied, they should first raise their concerns with boarding staff to solve the problem. If the issue still needs to be resolved, they should contact the Head of Boarding.
REACH (online leave management system) should be used by parents who wish to provide details regarding leave for their child and add or remove Approved Hosts for their child.
Boarding staff will assist with boarder welfare issues, boarding operational matters, medical appointments, and information regarding boarder progress.
Boarding staff will assist with medical and health-related issues and should be contacted if a boarder has reported feeling unwell or before booking external appointments.
2.13 Medical and Critical Information
John Paul College is committed to providing an excellent Boarding experience that ensures the safety and well-being of students. Medical and Critical Information is collected, stored and used during admission and enrolment.
Medical information is any information related to an individual's health status, medical conditions, treatments and medications, and medical history (including physical and psychological).
The College has procedures for collecting, updating, storing and using student critical information. This information is collected, stored and maintained in boarding through Reach.
- Parents are required to complete a full critical information update annually at the start of every school year
- Every six months, the College will provide an opportunity for parents to communicate changes to critical information with the College
- Parents can provide updates about critical information at any point in time
- Only parents/legal guardians can update critical information
- Language support may be offered by staff, where appropriate, to support.
Critical information includes information the College considers essential to provide appropriate welfare arrangements for a student.
- Parents' home address, phone number and email address
- Students' Australian mobile number
- Student medical information (including historical information as required)
- Emergency contact information
- Consent to administer medication, including Over-the-counter (OTC) medication and Prescription Medication.
The medication administration in Boarding is as per the College JPC Medication Administration Policy. Parents and students should read this carefully. OTC and prescription medications can only be administered by Boarding as per this policy. In summary, current consent from parents is required for OTC and prescription medications. Prescription medication must be in the original packaging with a label.
Action Plans or Individual Care Plans for allergies, asthma, anaphylaxis or other conditions must be current and provided and discussed before entering Boarding.
Consent is sought from parents/legal guardians for a healthcare professional or designated school staff member to provide a student with medical treatment and care. This includes any tests, medicines, treatments or procedures agreed to. In general, if a person is under the age of 18 years, their parent or guardian gives consent on their behalf. However, there are some cases where young people under the age of 18 can give consent. To give informed consent, students/parents need to be given enough information about options to make decisions about healthcare.
JPC Health Centre
Students may present at the College's Health Centre from Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 3.30pm. In addition, a Boarding Nurse is available in the mornings on weekdays. Boarding Staff will help students receive the care they need outside these hours.
John Paul College is located a short distance from several medical centres. These facilities are our point of call for boarders requiring non-urgent medical consultation.
All boarders are expected to have money available to pay for any medical expenses incurred. The College cannot pay for appointments, medical treatments or pharmaceuticals.
Medical Emergencies
In an emergency, students will be taken to Logan Hospital, which has a 24-hour Accident and Emergency Department. Boarder parents or guardians will be contacted immediately if a boarder requires an ambulance and/or hospitalisation.
Routine Medical Appointments
Dental appointments and visits to a general practitioner are best made during school breaks with parents. Boarding will support these routine medical appointments if they cannot be avoided during school term and we will make every effort to arrange them outside of school hours. Parents wishing to make these appointments should contact the Head of Boarding in advance.
Illness
Boarders who are contagious and have an excludable illness will be withdrawn from residing in their villa and relocated into an isolated sleeping and living space in the First Aid building. This is located adjacent to the Boarding Administration and Reception building. If this is not suitable due to the boarder's illness, the boarder should be placed into the care of the nominated Emergency Contact person. In consultation with the boarder's GP, the Head of Boarding will coordinate this event and inform the boarder's parents. The Head of Boarding will organise these arrangements in consultation with their parents and emergency contact person.
A staff member will assess a boarder who is ill in the first aid room. If unwell and unable to attend school (high temperature), they will remain in the first aid room without technological devices to recover and recuperate. Parents will be kept well-informed throughout this process. Regular updates will be provided.
Excludable Illness
Visit the Time Out website for the recommended minimum exclusion periods for infectious diseases in schools (based on the National Health & Medical Research Council Guidelines). Note: The NHMRC recommends that physically unwell children be excluded from attending the College.
Mental Health
On occasion, a boarder may present with a mental health issue. If this is the case, the parent/guardian will be contacted by the Head Head of Boarding to discuss the sequence of events. The Boarding Village may also seek assistance/guidance from the College counsellors and Health Centre staff regarding decision-making and management. Depending on the severity and frequency of the issue, the College and Boarding Village will work with the family and health professionals to devise and follow a Health Management Plan.
If the Boarding Village does not have the resources to manage a mental health issue, the boarder involved may be asked to seek alternative accommodation until they are assessed as ready to return to the Boarding Village. The Boarding Village and the College will work with the student and their family to ensure a smooth transition back to the boarding house. To enable this transition, a health management plan must be in place. This may necessitate that the student continues to seek assistance from health professionals.
2.14 Behaviour Management
John Paul College Boarders are expected to demonstrate the College values, adhering to the JPC Our College Values and Expectations during time in Boarding.
Every boarder takes personal responsibility for their own development by diligent and careful preparation for, and participation in, Boarding life and activities. Mutual respect requires all to be conscious of the needs of others and how our actions may affect other.
Full details of behaviour and consequences can be found in the Boarding Behaviour Management Policy.
Boarding staff are addressed minor breaches of behaviour such as disruptive or uncooperative behaviour. More serious behaviours are dealt with by the Head of Boarding.
2.15 Boarder Uniform and Personal Appearance
Boarding students are expected to adhere to the Uniform and Personal Appearance Policy. During non-school time in and out of Boarding, the Free Dress Guidelines of this policy apply to Boarders.
2.16 Boarding Security and Emergency
John Paul College has Emergency Procedures for fire, evacuation and student emergencies.
Students receive emergency procedure education at the start of every term.
A fire drill and lockdown drill are conducted every term.
Fenton Village is a secured community monitored by CCTV 24/7. Access to the Village is through the front gates, which require boarders to scan their student ID cards.
Some residential boarding staff live on-site, providing active supervision and are on-call overnight.
Personal valuables are the responsibility of the owner. Sums of money and technology items (iPhones, iPads, headphones, etc.) must be carefully maintained and secured in the lockable cupboards when not required.
Large sums of money, beyond pocket money, are optional. It is best practice for boarders and parents to use bank key cards and online banking to manage large amounts of money. If a boarder has a reason to have cash, they should hand it to the Head of Boarding for safekeeping.
2.17 Catering and Nutrition
Boarders are expected to be prompt and attend all boarding meals as scheduled in the Fenton Village Weekly Routine. Mealtimes are a time to catch up with friends, peers and staff and enjoy a nutritionally prepared meal in a family setting. We appreciate feedback regarding this important aspect of boarding life, and as such, we conduct formal and informal surveys throughout the year. Please refer all dietary matters to the Head of Boarding. During the week, lunches are supplied at The Piazza (canteen).
Every effort is made to cater to special dietary conditions. Late Meals will be provided as required.
2.18 Student Drivers
Senior students wishing to drive to Boarding must submit a completed application form and a copy of their driver's licence to the Head of boarding for approval. A new application is required each year.
Once approval has been granted, student drivers must lodge car keys with their Head of Boarding immediately upon arrival at the College. The use of boarder cars must be in accordance with the Boarding Leave Policy. Boarders cannot drive to school.
