The Armidale School’s bespoke new Junior Boarding precinct is proving to be a great success for students, staff and parents alike – with improved academic, social and mental health outcomes just a few of the tangible benefits.

Under the new structural arrangement introduced this year, Year 6 and 7 boarders reside in two adjacent but secure boarding houses, Dangar/Moyes – the girls in one, boys in the other – that share a common courtyard between.

Further, the new physical organisation of boarding arrangements is underpinned by academic and pastoral innovations that are making positive impacts.

Academically, students are supported during evening ‘prep’ (homework) time by teachers from the day school, as well as residential staff, with Maths and English a special focus.

At weekends, an organised recreation program engages students with activities as varied as ten-pin bowling, bushwalking, workshops or day-trips to nearby towns or even the coast.

And while all boarders have had limited access to technology out of class time, a ban on smart phones for Year 7 and below implemented this year has been so successful it will be rolled out to Year 8, from 2026.

“Junior boarders can only bring a basic phone with them, a tool to just call and text home. While parents were overwhelmingly supportive when it was introduced, a few did warn us there could be tantrums – however to our surprise and relief, this quickly subsided and the students found themselves having more meaningful conversations with their family and friends, both in-person and on the phone, rather than messaging on apps and scrolling through social media with all the potential negative effects that can have,” Head of Junior Boarding, Jordan Lane observed.

Other benefits have included increased activity in school recreational activities, healthy friendships between boarders and day students, students taking initiative to create their own fun and a generally more positive outlook on life.

TAS Director of Boarding David Drain said evidence-based research also supported the decision, as well as the Australian government introducing social media laws including a ban on social media account for children under the age of 16, from later this year.

“We are proud to have been one of the schools paving the way in this area and the knowledge that other schools are following the same path that also affirms our belief that we are on the right track regarding the best interests of our students,” he said.

So popular has been the interest in the Junior Boarding program at TAS that the School is funding new Regional Boarding Scholarships for Year 6 entry.

These scholarships, for all-round students committed to making the most of the opportunities on offer, will have tenure for Middle School (Year 6-8) and Senior School (9-12).

For more details, visit as.edu.au/enrolments/scholarships

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