Boarding FAQs

How many boarders are there at Wenona?

There are beds for 55 boarders at Wenona in the four boarding houses (Palmer, Pascoe, Woodstock and Allard). Boarders comprise about 10 per cent of the senior school population.

What type of accommodation do boarders have at Wenona?

We have four cottages, which give a homely-feel to the boarding community. The cottages, all on Ridge Street, have a lovely view over St Leonard's Park. The cottages have names associated with Wenona's history: Palmer, Pascoe, Woodstock and Allard. As the houses were originally family homes, and not purpose-built boarding houses, we have wonderful features in each room and corridor, such as marble fireplaces. Each room is a different size and shape. Each room houses between two and five girls. Typically, girls in Years 7-9 are in rooms of four or five, Year 10 girls in rooms of four, Year 11 girls in rooms of two or three, and Year 12 girls in rooms of two or three.

Where do Wenona boarders come from?

Most boarders come from NSW country areas, the Sydney metropolitan area or overseas. Many of our international students were born in Australia, but their parents work overseas. Boarding at Wenona means they can continue to enjoy the benefits of the NSW education system.

What is the percentage of full-time boarders?

Approximately two-thirds of our boarders board full-time.

How are girls supervised and cared for?

The Director of Boarding leads a team of dedicated and experienced staff who are responsible for the individual care and welfare of all girls. Boarding House staff are carefully chosen to support a home away from home for all boarders and to help with the individual needs of each girl.

We understand that communication with your daughter is very important while she is away from home, and we actively encourage contact with families. The Director of Boarding is in regular contact with boarders' parents and guardians by phone or email. She has weekly contact with the Boarding Representative in the Wenona Parents' Association. The Director of Boarding is also in regular contact with tutors, classroom teachers, Heads of House and School Counsellors, attending weekly meetings with key staff committees.

What kind of access do parents have? What leave arrangements are there?

Parents have access to their daughters by phone and email and, of course, are welcome to visit the Boarding House when they are in Sydney. Flexible leave arrangements give girls regular contact with family and friends. Leave arrangements are generous, having regard to Wenona's academic and extra-curricular program. However, as we take our duty of care very seriously, there are strict procedures regarding leave requests. These procedures are detailed clearly in the Boarders' Handbook.

Where do boarders do their homework? Can you tell me about homework supervision and extra tuition for boarders?

Years 7-12 have supervised homework time, or “prep” in the Library. Years 7-9 are supervised in a special room with a Prep Supervisor who can help them with their homework. Year 10 do their homework in the Library. These girls have the added benefit of access to the Evening Study Centre and the staff on duty there.

The individual Year Group prep times are:

Boarders have access to the Evening Study Centre on Monday to Thursday nights. Years 11 and 12 must attend the ESC at least once a week. Teachers staff the ESC on a rotational basis, to assist students with their studies.

Boarders can easily access the Wenona Information Centre and specialist rooms such as the Art Studio, Design and Technology Rooms, Music and Drama Rooms.

Language support by ESL staff is provided in the day school and during prep times.

Do girls have Internet access in the Boarding Houses?

The Boarding Houses have high-speed wireless broadband access. Wenona has a well-established wireless laptop environment.

Where do boarders eat? What is the food like?

The Boarders' Dining Room is in Messiter House. Girls must be in uniform for breakfast on school days. Smart casual dress is worn at dinner and at weekend meals. There are flexible breakfast arrangements for girls who have early lessons, early training sessions or other early activities.

On schooldays, lunch is collected from the Messiter Dining Room. It consists of a “make-your-own” sandwich, soup and a bread roll, or pasta and sauce (depending on the day and the season). After making lunch, boarders return to the day school to socialise with their friends.

At Wenona, the food is of high quality. Boarders enjoy a wide choice of food every day. A dietitian works with our Food Services Manager to ensure that a balanced diet is available to girls. Vegetarians and girls with special dietary needs are catered for. At dinner time, there is a meat dish, a carbohydrate dish (rice, noodles, pasta or potato), a vegetarian option, vegetables and salad. The menu is changed each term, and we often have nights with a special theme or national cuisine. In the summer terms, there are often barbecues. At the end of each term, boarders complete an audit of the previous term's menu and make requests for the next term.

What do boarders do after school?

Life as a boarder at Wenona is very busy. Music, drama and sporting activities take up much of boarders' free time after school.

On days when a boarder does not have extra-curricular commitments, she may take shopping leave to North Sydney. Girls in Years 7, 8 and 9 go in groups of four or are accompanied by senior girls. Year 10 girls go in pairs. Years 11 and 12 may go alone.

What time do boarders go to bed?

There are staggered bedtime arrangements for boarders, depending on year groups:

How do boarders do their laundry?

Laundry is packed on Sunday nights. All uniforms, personal clothing and linen go to an external laundry on Monday mornings and are returned on Thursday afternoons. All clothing and laundry bags should be labelled with owners' names, using an indelible marking pen.

What weekend activities are there for boarders?

Wenona Boarding Staff run a variety of weekend activities. Weekend activities are carefully chosen by the Director of Boarding, in consultation with boarders. Girls experience Sydney life through activities such as visits to the Aquarium, walking across the Harbour Bridge to the Rocks Markets, canoeing, horse riding in Centennial Park, and taking the ferry to Manly for some shopping.

Weekend activities depend on the weather and the number of girls in residence on any given weekend. They are compulsory for boarders in Years 7-9. On a closed weekend (i.e. a weekend when it is compulsory for all boarders, full-time and weekly, to stay in the boarding house), all girls must participate. As a guide, pocket money of $10 -$15 per trip is required. Some excursions are cheaper than others, depending on the venue.

What if my daughter is homesick?

The extent to which girls experience homesickness varies greatly. However, girls are often homesick when they first join the School. This is to be expected. Often it is parents who feel it worst! A strong help network is available both in the day school and from boarding house staff and senior girls. You should contact staff if you are concerned. But remember: while girls might sound very distressed on the phone, they are often much happier once they offload their worries on to you. While maintaining contact with your daughter in the first few weeks, you should minimise face-to-face contact, to assist the settling-in process. Encourage your daughter to speak to friends, older boarders or staff, and to keep busy.

What happens if my daughter doesn't get on with her room mates?

One of the exciting benefits of living in a community is that each girl has the opportunity to live and work with other girls from many backgrounds. Girls learn to understand and cope with differences. They learn cooperation and compromise. If there is conflict in a room, boarding staff put strategies in place to resolve conflicts and problems. Please contact the Director of Boarding if you have any concerns about rooming.

If you would like further information about boarding at Wenona, please contact the Registrar on (61 2) 94094440 or by email.