Positive Transitions

As I reflect on the orientation weekend, an integral element of BGS Boarding’s Positive Transitions program, I am left with one question: Why didn’t I introduce this initiative earlier??

Firstly, I have to confess that the program is based on a touch of smart borrowing. As Henry Ford once said, “Copying isn’t the issue. The issue is knowing what to copy”. I therefore readily share with you that at my previous school in England we would invite international students to join early and, having led aspects of that weekend, I could see the relevance and value of that experience to Brisbane Grammar School.?

Equally, the catalyst for me to introduce our orientation weekend lies firmly in seeing boys struggle to come to terms with leaving home. Often, with just half a day in boarding, and with the conflicting demands for staff of returning boarders, boys had to face the considerable challenge of adapting to both boarding and the classroom.?Four years later, the orientation weekend is now a very well-established aspect of the program. And, as term gets underway, I can readily see that most if not all our new boarders have, through the opportunities offered, built the foundations needed for a positive residential experience. They have formed strong bonds and relations to those who have also started in recent weeks, and they know the prefects and staff very well indeed. They are increasingly familiar with their surroundings and have assimilated well to the routines that exist in both Griffith and Harlin House.??

We know that boarding can be challenging and that the transition to living on campus has many layers. Supporting the boys in their journey by investing in a program that ensures connection, familiarity with a new environment – and being comfortable with new routines and processes – is at the heart of a smooth transition.????

As ever, there have been some real highlights along the way. Our Outdoor Education campus at Pepperina Hill once again delivered a wonderful backdrop to our Saturday team building and campfire experience, beneath what was an authentic and spectacular chandelier of stars.?That excursion was then complimented by our re-imagined Amazing Race, which ensured our boarders are now aware of the school’s key buildings and its history, including the somewhat more eclectic pieces of information such as the?number of stairs in Harlin House.?

There is of course of much more to the program than the orientation weekend. The hard work started in 2022 in connecting with families. That was built upon by the ‘Teams’ Pre-Orientations meeting and the first week of school has also been used to further assist new boys and to build relationships with our existing boarding population. From a recreation session on our school oval to a more formal House Family tug-of-war competition, to a twilight tour of Brisbane and Mt Coot-Tha and an Acknowledgement of Country on the Boarders’ Lawn, the raft of experiences has extended far beyond the weekend.????

This year has also seen us introduce the Positive Transitions Handbook. I am grateful to the current and former families, and indeed boarders, who so readily contributed to what became a treasure trove of information and insight for new families. Supplemented with a list of items to prepare, or actions to complete, it was as rewarding to compile as it was to share. At the very heart of Positive Transitions has been the relations that have been fostered and cemented. ?

I am especially grateful to the Boarding prefects who once again have set a strong agenda for the year ahead and the residential team for their willing contribution over a long weekend. ??

In closing, why didn’t I introduce this earlier? For me, a combination of factors delayed my using such a salient initiative. We needed students and staff to align and be ready for such a seismic change to the start of the year.?Having learned and seen at first hand the value of our efforts, the next question is what else we can do to assist our young men in adapting to life in their new ‘home away from home’???