COLUMBA COLLEGE. Dear boarding families

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1 COLUMBA COLLEGE Dear boarding families I trust you have enjoyed the summer break and some precious family time. I extend a special welcome to our new boarding families and girls, and hope your association with Columba boarding is a very happy one. We begin 2016 with the excellent news that the Board of Governors has appointed a new Director of Boarding. Mrs Philippa Wright is an experienced teacher who is has been a senior Dean and has past experience in managing boarding. She is ready to begin with us for the new school year and is looking forward to getting to know the girls and families. Together we plan to focus on increasing opportunities for boarders to excel academically and to develop life skills and well-being. Mrs Wright can be contacted a pwright@columbacollege.school.nz or phone Mrs Julie Hill-Anderson has been appointed to the position of Day Manager and will be looking after the day-to-day operations of the boarding house. We also welcome a new live-in house tutor, Miss Kate McClintock, who is studying at Otago University and will be assisting with prep and other duties. Once again, Ace catering will be providing their excellent service for the kitchen. As you were informed at the end of 2015 by Judge Crosbie, there are exciting plans ahead for Columba s boarding programme. The early planning stages for such developments do take time to move forward, but we will certainly keep you informed as ideas take shape. I would like to take this opportunity to remind families and girls of the very high standards of behaviour and conduct expected from our boarders. Girls are expected to show the utmost respect to boarding and kitchen staff, and to conduct themselves in the community with decorum and manners, including in the weekends when they are on host leave. They are to treat the property and facilities with high regard, and to follow requirements of a safe, healthy and pleasant environment for everyone to live and learn in. We have introduced a new leave system which is intended to give girls, staff and parents control and transparency over the girls whereabouts. Correct and honest use of this system is expected from all students, from Years 8 to 13, as knowing where girls are at all times is essential for their well being. Misuse of the leave system will be treated as a significant transgression. Consequences for failing to uphold Columba boarding s standards of behaviour and conduct are to be expected by girls and their families. Mrs Wright and I hope there will be many opportunities for us to connect with families, both through events planned in Dunedin and during our visits to the Omakau and Wanaka shows and country visits. We welcome your feedback and ideas. The Boarding House Committee, as sub committee of the Board of Governors, also welcomes your feedback. The House Committee is: Mrs Donna La Hood (chair) sedonanz1@icloud.com, Mrs Fiona Nesbitt and Mr Alistair Saville. I wish you a very happy and successful year in boarding. Juliette Hayes Principal

2 Kia Ora, I am pleased to introduce myself as your new Director of Boarding. While my roots are in Christchurch since attending University I have chosen to live in Otago as Dunedin offers so much to those seeking a quality education. At Columba College, boarders learn, grow and develop in a supportive and dynamic environment that prepares them well for their diverse futures. Living in community adds considerable value to adolescent learners as they negotiate and share their journeys towards maturity. Boarding staff are privileged to create a positive home that meets each girls needs and encourages them to thrive. My vision is to lead a dedicated team who partner with parents to facilitate girls to develop as individuals while sharing the benefits of living in community. I look forward to working with you and encourage you to contact me if I can be of assistance. Kind regards Philippa Wright BdH:NslParBdHseM21Jan

3 Start of year arrangements Wednesday 27 th January (optional) Arrival time - after 4pm Year 13 boarders may sleep over in KBH prior to the Leadership Development programme beginning on Thursday morning. Information about the Leadership Development programme is being sent separately. Please let Mrs Wright know by 9am this Monday if you require a room for the night. Thursday 28 th January Year 13 Leadership Development at Knox College (over night). Any boarders will be transported to Knox for this. They require a sleeping bag and pillow case. NB: Girls will be transported back to Columba for course confirmation interviews and will be free to return home once their course confirmation is complete. Year 12 Course Confirmation Day. There will be an optional social dinner for all Year 12 day girls and boarders that evening. Please confirm your attendance by ing Mrs. Wright by Wednesday afternoon. Please meet at the entrance of KBH by 5pm. Year 12 boarders may sleep over in KBH if their wish to attend the dinner. Please let Mrs Wright know by 9am this Monday if you require a room for the night. Friday 29 th January Year 13 Course Confirmation Day. NB: Girls will be transported back to Columba for course confirmation interviews and will be free to return home once their course confirmation is complete. Sunday 31 st January Year 13 Boarders return between 2.30pm and 3.30pm to ensure they are available to welcome their Year 9 buddies. Year 9 Boarders and families are welcome from 3.30pm. Completed Registration and Health forms will be collected at this time. There will be a BBQ dinner for Year 9 and 13 families to meet each other and for the girls to meet their senior buddies. We hope you will join us for this event, from 5pm. Siblings of Year 9 and 13 girls may return on this evening if it is not convenient for them to arrive separately on Monday. A light programme of activities will be arranged for Monday for any Year 8, 10, 11 or 12 girls who are in for that day as the day school is not operating for them. For staffing purposes please let Mrs Wright know by 9am Monday 25 th if your daughter will be in the boarding house other than the scheduled arrival times. Monday 1 st February School orientation programme for Year 9 and 13 girls. Years 8, 10, 11 and 12 return to the boarding house between 2 and 4pm. Completed Registration and Health forms will be collected at this time. Afternoon tea will be available for families from 2pm. Tuesday 2 nd February School begins for everyone Waitangi Weekend The Boarding House is open this weekend. An activity day is planned with John McGlashan College on Monday 8 th February (Waitangi Day observed) and it is preferred that Year 13 and junior girls remain in for the weekend to participate in the events planned.

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