TAS NEWS: The Benefits of Co-Educational Boarding Schools

THE BENEFITS OF CO-EDUCATIONAL BOARDING SCHOOLS

When parents make the difficult decision to send their child to boarding school, it is to give them a world of opportunity. How young people develop socially and emotionally is critical for their future success, so many parents are seeking to send their children to boarding schools where they can make valuable social connections.

At co-educational schools, girls and boys have valuable opportunities to learn from each other both socially and intellectually. By giving students the opportunity to work together in the classroom and through extra-curricular activities, students form bonds with both male and female students and are ultimately better prepared for the world beyond school.

There are a range of social, emotional and educational benefits of bringing girls and boys together in a boarding school environment. 

PROMOTES EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

Many Australians see co-ed learning settings as a better reflection of the world outside of the classroom. Working together in an environment that encourages collaboration rather than separation, allows students to gain a broader range of perspectives and develop a more well-rounded view of the world. By allowing students to learn this way at a young age, they’ll have more appreciation for equality and diversity – it simply will be the norm for students as they grow up.

Bringing students together in both a classroom space and living space strengthens respect for the opposite sex and breaks down gender stereotypes. Our young people will simply see each other for their qualities and abilities.

STUDENTS FEEL SAFER

There’s nothing parents think about more than the safety and happiness of their child, especially when they’re considering sending their child to boarding school. They want them to feel safe, secure, and cared for. Surveys conducted by Strategic Canada (2016), have shown that co-ed boarding schools offer children the greatest sense of personal safety. Boys and girls living together learn to develop brother-sister types of relationships where they look out for each other.

STUDENTS DEVELOP STRONGER SELF-CONFIDENCE & LEADERSHIP SKILLS

In a co-ed boarding school, students have a range of opportunities to communicate and collaborate with all kinds of people.

By learning to express themselves in diverse, supportive audiences, children develop confidence in themselves and their personal opinions. They’ll learn to share their ideas and become confident leaders in the process. Children will also be able to look up to both male and female teachers as role models with many varying leadership styles.

CO-ED BOARDING AT TAS IN 2022

In 2022, the structure of Bligh House will evolve to a shared coeducational model with both boys and girls from Years 1-7 living in the same house. In this house, the girls will reside on the lower floor and the boys on the top level. Both floors can be separated at certain times, but both boys and girls will have access to common areas. We will create a true family environment, where boys and girls grow to treat each other like brother and sister. The students will have loads of opportunities to go on excursions and participate in activities together on weekends. However, we will also offer some activities just for girls and just for boys exclusively.

As with all of our boarding houses, the Head of the House, Mr Damien Morey, will oversee the general running of the house assisted by both male and female teachers, who live in the boarding house too.

Our boarding staff will continue to ensure the children are protected from growing up too soon. The use of technology is monitored and regulated, and a range of fun wholesome weekend activities will let kids be kids and quite simply, enjoy each other’s company.

From 2022, we are thrilled to welcome our new Director of Boarding, Bianca Lingard. Ms Lingard has been part of the TAS family for 16 years – 11 of which she’s spent looking after boarding school students.

“We are truly one family and I hope to continue to grow this belonging and ensure that each boarder leaves having had a wonderful experience.

“As the world is built on a co-ed foundation, it’s within schools like TAS, we can provide opportunities for our students to mix with the other gender, feel confident in that space and learn skills to help in the real world,” says Ms. Lingard.

REFERENCES

4 Benefits of a Co-Educational Boarding School. (2022). Retrieved 4 January 2022, from https://blog.lcs.on.ca/2016/01/13/4-benefits-of-a-co-educational-boarding-school/