3.1 Travel Arrangements
3.2 Boarder Travel Days
3.3 International Boarders
3.4 Homestay during Holidays (Optional)
3.5 Communication
3.6 Contact Details
3.7 Discipline
3.8 Boarder Dress and Appearance Expectations
3.9 Preparing for Boarding
3.10 What to Bring - Checklist
3.11 What Not to Bring
3.12 Living Away from Home
3.13 The 'Settling In' Period
3.14 Villa
3.15 Security
3.16 Meals and Catering
3.17 Tidiness
3.18 Security
3.19 Laundry
3.20 Technology Devices and Internet
3.21 Health
3.1 Travel Arrangements
Boarders are to arrive at the College the day before the commencement of the term and depart on the last day of the term. These days are known as 'Boarder Travel Days'. Fenton Village will not generally be open any time before or after these days.
3.2 Boarder Travel Days
Are usually the day before each term commences and the day before each term concludes.
It is unusual for the College to organise travel for boarders, except in special circumstances. Boarders' travel plans must be made well in advance so that travel can occur on the designated Boarder Travel Day.
Boarders will not be permitted to leave early or return late unless there is an unavoidable circumstance, of which the Head of Boarding is made aware in advance so that the relevant Head of School can be informed.
Parents will be required to notify the College of their intentions.
Boarder Travel Day arrangements must be made no later than two weeks before the day of travel. Full details including flight information should be logged in REACH and should be provided to Boarding Reception at this time by contacting boarding@jpc.qld.edu.au or
07 3826 3366.
3.3 International Boarders
All passports and tickets must be given to the Head of Boarding so that they can be placed in the safe.
Boarders can only be transported by boarding staff to and from Brisbane Airports.
3.4 Homestay during Holidays (Optional)
All boarders are expected to vacate Fenton Village for vacation periods.
Overseas boarder parents are encouraged to arrange holiday care through guardians, family, or agents. If this is not possible, the College may assist with holiday homestay arrangements. However, there is limited availability.
3.5 Communication
Communication is a critical element in the successful operation of any boarding facility. This is particularly the case regarding leave or situations where boarders are unhappy or require support with some aspect of boarding life. Please refer to the Leave Process in Boarding Routines.
In the case where dissatisfaction is an issue, boarders should, in the first instance, raise their concern with boarding staff to solve the problem. If the issue is not resolved at this point, please contact the Head of Boarding.
REACH (online leave management system) should be used by parents who wish to provide details regarding leave for their child, add or remove Approved Hosts for their child.
Boarding staff will assist with boarder welfare issues, boarding operational matters, medical appointments, and information regarding boarder progress.
Boarding staff will assist with medical and health-related issues and should be contacted if a boarder has reported feeling unwell or before external appointments are booked.
3.6 Contact Details
3.7 Discipline
Boarding staff may personally deal with minor breaches of behaviour such as disruptive or uncooperative behaviour. More serious offences are dealt with by the Head or Deputy Head of Boarding and possibly the College Principal for offences that are inconsistent with our college and boarding values.
Consequences may include guided conversations, parental contact, gating, or extra duties. We would appreciate support from parents with these measures, particularly about time frame and the logistics of any 'gating' issues.
Our disciplinary system is based on care and mutual responsibility. Of equal importance is the process of reconciliation and restoration of good relations, mutual trust and respect following issues of misconduct which have attracted disciplinary measures, and which have been successfully worked through and resolved. Where possible we also try to focus on a Positive Behaviour model which is a person-centered approach to behaviour aimed at reducing behaviours of concern.
3.8 Boarder Dress and Appearance Expectations
Students should always be clean and tidy and wear their uniforms with pride. Boarder dress and appearance expectations are outlined below. These expectations are to be always met.
A comfortable style of attire for boarders, while managing personal safety, allows boarders to feel a sense of belonging to a boarding environment. The standard of dress and appearance required during a boarder's time in Fenton Village is guided by the following:
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General Dress Expectation
- During school hours and on School occasions boarders are to abide by the John Paul College expectations regarding uniform, hair, and jewellery policies.
- After school hours, boarders may change into "neat casual" clothing, but must not mix casuals with uniform. This includes when departing on any type of leave.
- "Neat Casual" dress is the expectation for all dining room meals.
- Footwear must be worn at all times around the village.
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Neat Casual - Elaborations
- Shirts or Tops are to have sleeves. Midriffs are not permitted.
- Dresses, Shorts and Skirts must be of a reasonable length. A reasonable length can be determined by the item ending mid-way between the thigh and knee.
- Inappropriate slogans or messages are prohibited.
- Fenton Village makeup, hair and jewellery expectations apply.
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Makeup and Jewellery Expectations
- Stud earrings are required when participating in a physical activity.
- A wristwatch, and a modest chain are permissible.
- Tasteful application of makeup is allowed, when dressing for host leave, boarding events, or outings. Makeup is not permissible when going to dinner or sharing time with fellow boarders in The Village.
3.9 Preparing for Boarding
Boarding offers a rich and rewarding educational experience. It enables students to develop maturity, independence, self-confidence, and resilience within a safe, caring, and nurturing family environment. Our boutique accommodation within a village atmosphere makes our boarding an extraordinary experience.
We look forward to welcoming to the John Paul College family, boarders and girls from regional, rural, and Indigenous communities, neighbouring states, and countries. Our holistic education for boarders will provide them with numerous opportunities to gain experience and learn in the academic, sporting, cultural and service domains of our college.
3.10 What to Bring - Checklist
Apart from College-related materials and sporting equipment, there are many other items a boarder will need to bring to Fenton Village. See below for a suggested list of clothing and other items. All College Uniform items can be purchased from the College Retail Centre and may be pre-ordered.
Suggested Clothing and Equipment List
LABELLING of clothes, linen, etc. is MOST IMPORTANT.
Responsibility cannot be accepted for unmarked articles.
Casual clothing should meet the standard of dress as outlined in the Boarders Dress and Appearance Expectations.
1 x College blazer
| 6 x Pairs underwear
| 2 x Sets single sheets
|
3 or 4 x College shirts
| 2 x Sets pyjamas
| 2 x Bath towels
|
2 x Pairs grey shorts
| 3 x Pairs of socks
| 1 x Beach Towel
|
2 x Pairs long grey trousers
| 2 x Collared shirts
| 2 - 4 x Pillowcases
|
3 x Dresses
| 2 x Tailored shorts
| 1 - 2 x Pillows
|
2 x College tie
| 2 x Tops with sleeves (girls)
| 2 x Doona covers
|
5 x Pairs College socks
| 2 x Shorts (girls)
| 1 x Doona or Comforter
|
1 x College Jumper
| 1 x Pair thongs/sandals
| Plastic coat hangers
|
1 x Pair black school shoes with laces
| 1 x Tracksuit (optional)
| 1 x Sleeping bag (for camps)
|
1 x College polo shirt
| 1 x Smart casual shoes
| 1 x Dirty Linen basket (small)
|
2 x House t/shirts
| 1 x Jjacket/jumper
| 2 x Boxes of tissues
|
2 x College cap
| 1 x Jjeans/long pants
| 1 x Shoe polish outfit
|
2 x Pairs sport shorts
| 2 x Hat/cap (washable)
| 'Safe cup' (reusable) for supper
|
4 x Pairs College sports socks
| Swimmers/shorts/bathers/Rashie/sun shirt
| Water bottles
|
Please aslo supply sunscreen lotion, deodorant (Pump spray or roll-on). No spray cans, soap/body wash, hygiene products, toothpaste and brush, hair ties/clips/bands/pins Etc.
3.11 What Not to Bring
While we want our boarders to feel as if they are at home, some items should remain at home:
- Small fridges (large common room fridges are supplied)
- Skateboards and blades
- Electric heaters and fans (Reverse cycle air conditioners are used throughout the village)
- Sharps of any kind
- Offensive material, shirts, posters, or music
- Non-Australian standard electrical items [adaptors etc.]
- Candles, lighters etc.
3.12 Living Away from Home
One of the most apparent aspects of education in a boarding school is that the boarder is living away from home. However, all boarders and parents new to boarding should appreciate that the boarding lifestyle of the twenty-first century looks and feels nothing like its traditional predecessor.
Fenton Village staff aim to provide a caring, nurturing, and supportive environment that reflects the family qualities that boarders would be familiar with.
Some young people may have trouble adapting to the communal living situation; others relate to the number of other people continually surrounding them. Boarders learn to value tolerance and mutual respect, as they must share their living space with others. Please note that we still uphold the dignity and importance of the right to personal freedom and privacy.
It is our experience that boarders gain independent living skills while boarding. This is achieved by:
- Keeping bedrooms and cupboard areas clean and tidy
- Managing personal hygiene
- Ensuring that laundry is kept up to date.
- Developing study and time management skills
- Making the most of school resources by joining co-curricular activities and
- Managing leave.
Our boarding staff provides guidance in all these areas.
It also makes it much easier for your child during their settling in period if some basic preparation has been undertaken at home in these areas. Suggested pre-requisite life skills: operating a top loading washing machine, operating a dryer, ironing techniques, making a bed, washing dishes and vacuuming.
3.13 The 'Settling In' Period
Living away from home for the first time may be a daunting experience. Therefore, it is perfectly normal for young people to feel strange in entirely new surroundings and a necessarily institutionalised environment.
Parents may hear of or experience the worst of a child's homesickness. Some boarders will tend to email or ring when they are feeling at their lowest.
Please encourage your child to see resident staff with their concerns. Often discussing the problem with someone not directly involved is of great assistance.
It is also normal for parents to miss their child, particularly at the start of the year or term or in a first-time boarding situation. Having a child on the phone and telling you how much you are missed may multiply the very normal emotional commitment that parents have to their children. We suggest you follow the guidelines below to help alleviate your concerns.
- Limit your phone calls, Skype, or FaceTime to a specific time of the day and week, especially in the early part of the year or their boarding experience.
- >Call outside Prep/study, meal, and Recreation routine times or just before bedtime.
- Try to limit the extent that mobile phones are used between you and your child to lessen the emotional impact.
- Contact Boarding Reception if you are concerned that your child is really upset - there will be a staff member in Fenton Village who will be able to help your child immediately.
- Use email - this is an excellent way for you to make contact about the day-to-day events. Still, it removes the emotional impact of your voice when a child has been experiencing a difficult transition or period.
3.14 Villa
John Paul College is a co-educational Day and Boarding School with Fenton Village providing comfortable modern living space for up to 56 boarders from Years Seven to Twelve. The Village has six spacious and self-contained villas, each with up to eight boarders of similar age in twin share rooms with adjoining private ensuites. Every villa is equipped with its own kitchenette, dining, and lounge area, including an LCD television.
3.15 Security
Fenton Village is a secured community monitored and controlled by the John Paul College Security and Facilities Department 24 hours a day, via an infrared closed-circuit camera network and a set of electronic security networks linked to every villa and staff accommodation.
Access to the Village is through our front gates which require boarders to scan their student ID cards. We value our residential staff as they are an added support and security network for our boarders. Physical security is an essential characteristic of Fenton Village.
Security screens are also fitted to windows and doors to add to the safety of boarders. Each building also has a set of fire doors to enable easy evacuation of the buildings, should the need arise. Boarding staff complete thorough inspections of all these elements when the Village is closed for the night.
Personal valuables are the responsibility of the owner. Sums of money and technology items (iPhones, iPads, headphones, etc.) must be carefully maintained and secured in the lockable cupboards when not required.
Boarders will be required to supply their own locks to secure cupboards. Large sums of money, beyond pocket money, are not required. It is best practice for boarders and parents to use bank key cards and online banking to manage any large forms of money. If there is a reason for a boarder to have cash, they should hand it to the Head/Deputy Head of Boarding for safe keeping.
3.16 Meals and Catering
The Fenton Village Dining Hall plays the role of the kitchen table, one of the most important aspects of any boarder's home life. Meals are prepared by a dedicated team of JPC chefs with extensive hospitality experience.
The Dining Hall seats over 50 guests in air-conditioned comfort. It also features a hot buffet servery, salad bar, and breakfast bench.
Boarders are expected to be prompt and attend all boarding meals as scheduled in the Fenton Village Weekly Routine. The focus of mealtimes is to catch up with friends, peers and staff and enjoy a nutritionally prepared meal in a family setting. We appreciate feedback regarding this important aspect of boarding life and as such, we conduct formal and informal surveys throughout the year Please refer all dietary matters to the Head of Boarding. During the week, lunches are supplied at the College Tuck Shop.
Every effort is made to cater to special dietary conditions. Late Meals will be provided as required.
3.17 Tidiness
Room
Room tidiness is not negotiable! Your child will need to make their bed daily and ensure that their desk and floor are clear of any items to allow our cleaning staff to come through daily and maintain their personal space. Waste bins need to be emptied each day and any food items should be in airtight containers.
Common Areas
It is each boarder's responsibility to ensure that the tidiness of our shared common room areas, passageways, mini kitchens, and bathrooms is always up to an acceptable standard. Boarders will from time to time be asked to do their part in the cleaning of these areas, and we have an expectation that along with utilising the space, they will also contribute to its upkeep.
3.18 Breakages and Damage
Breakage of or graffiti to any article or piece of equipment in the boarding house must be reported to staff immediately. The cost for repairs or replacement of boarding house equipment deliberately damaged by students will be charged to parent's accounts. When allocated to a room, boarders must immediately notify staff of any existing damage or graffiti, to avoid confusion regarding responsibility. No materials are to be draped over lights due to potential fire hazards. Insurance to boarders' property is strongly recommended that parents check their insurance policies to ensure adequate coverage of personal items. The college does not accept responsibility for expenses arising from loss of or damage to personal effects and property.
3.19 Laundry
John Paul College students take immense pride in wearing the Burgundy and Blue, and as such, the laundering of clothes is paramount to meeting College standards of dress and appearance.
All clothing items must be clearly marked with the boarder's name; this is best done with a laundry marker or sewn-on name labels.
Parents and guardians can purchase labels from a range of suppliers; here are some recommended websites:
My Name Label: http://www.mynamelabel.com.au Stuck on You: http://www.stuckonyou.com.au Tinyme: www.tinyme.com.au
As part of the broader boarder development program, John Paul College has embraced the concept that young people take a hands-on approach to organise their daily needs, including laundering their clothes. The Village has excellent facilities for students to wash, dry and iron their clothing. Our stand-alone laundry building houses six washing machines and dryers.
Doing laundry is another set of skills that boarders will develop that will help them to become independent adults. We will of course provide assistance when required.
When boarders commence their boarding journey, our professional staff, will assist with every effort to establish a washing routine for every boarder. Be assured that boarding staff will monitor and help with laundry every day to ensure our boarders look their best.
3.20 Technology Devices and Internet
The entire boarding village is wirelessly networked, enabling boarders to connect to their school account and internet services. Boarders are afforded an additional data allowance to assist in studying, researching, and communicating with home or family.
Boarders have access to selected social media and gaming sites between 4.00pm and 9.00pm AEST.
The school network is a secure and safe place for boarders to access online content; there is no need for any personal Wi-Fi hotspot or similar devices to be used in the Village. After 9.00pm each evening, the network is limited to web browsing and email only; this ensures that boarders can continue studying and completing academic tasks - the Student Use of Mobile Phones Policy. Boarders are required to follow the Responsible Use of Technology Agreement.
3.21 Health
Medical Information
Boarder parents are expected to provide complete and accurate details of their child's medical history and circumstances at the commencement of every school year or when details have changed. This is done initially by completing the Medical Permission Form upon enrolment in the College. Any medical information is kept confidential (unless permission is granted by parent/s) and should only be discussed directly with the Head/Deputy Head of Boarding or Senior Supervisor.
Over the counter (OTC) medication permissions can be granted by parents using our online leave management system REACH.
Health Centre
Students may present at the College's Health Centre from Monday to Friday 8:00am to 3.30pm. If a boarder falls ill outside of these hours, the Head of Boarding and/or boarding staff will tend to their needs and consult with parents.
John Paul College is located a short distance from several medical centres. These facilities are our point of call for boarders requiring non-urgent medical consultation.
Our Medical
(07) 3177 7777
195-225 Bryants Road
Loganholme QLD 4129
All boarders are expected to have money available to pay for any medical expenses incurred. The College will not pay for appointments, medical treatments, or pharmaceuticals.
Medical Emergency
In the case of an emergency, students will be taken to Logan Hospital. This facility has a 24-hour Accident and Emergency Department. Boarder parents or guardians will be contacted immediately in any event that requires a boarder requires an ambulance and/or hospitalisation.
Medication
College policy states that all medication (clearly labelled) is handed to boarding staff upon arrival at Fenton Village. Boarders must never store their own medication.
When boarders keep their own medication, it can become accessible to others.
All medications are locked in the overnight medication box kept at the Boarding First Aid Room. Medication includes prescriptions, vitamins, cough mixture, pain relievers, antihistamines etc.
Medication can only be administered with a doctor's order (prescription medications) or written permission from a parent/legal guardian (Boarding Medical Permission Form).
Medical and Dental Appointments
All medical/dental appointments for boarders should be made through our appointed and designated first aid person. If a parent is taking their/her child to a medical appointment during school time, the parent will need to inform the College and notify the Boarding House.
Illness
Boarders who are contagious (with an excludable illness) will be withdrawn from residing in their villa and relocated into an isolated sleeping and living space in the First Aid building. This is located adjacent to the Boarding Administration and Reception building. If this is not suitable due to the boarder's illness, the boarder should then be placed into the care of the nominated Emergency Contact person. In consultation with the boarder's GP, the Head of Boarding will co-ordinate this event and inform the boarder's parents. If a boarder returns a positive Covid-19 result, they will be required, if possible, to isolate off-site. In consultation with their parents and emergency contact person, the Head of Boarding will organise these arrangements.
In general, a boarder who is ill will be assessed by a member of staff in the first aid room. If unwell and unable to attend school (high temp) they will remain in the first aid room without technological devices, to recover and recuperate. Parents will be kept well informed throughout this process. Regular updates will be provided.
Excludable Illness
Recommended minimum exclusion periods for infectious diseases for Schools (based on the National Health & Medical Research Council Guidelines) see Time Out website. Note: The NHMRC recommends that physically unwell children be excluded from attending the College.
Mental Health Issues
On occasions a boarder may present with a mental health issue. If this is the case the parent/guardian will be contacted by the Head or Deputy Head of Boarding to discuss the sequence of events. The Boarding Village may also seek assistance/guidance from the College counsellors and Health Centre staff regarding decision-making and management. Depending on the severity and frequency of the issue, the College and Boarding Village will work with the family and health professionals to devise and follow a Health Management Plan.
If the Boarding Village does not have the resources to effectively manage the mental health issue the boarder involved may be asked to seek alternative accommodation until such time they are assessed as ready to return to the Boarding Village. The Boarding Village and the College will work with the student and their family to ensure a smooth transition back to the boarding house. To enable this transition there must be a Health Management Plan in place. This may necessitate that the student continues to seek assistance from health professionals.