A big decision to board, but ultimately the right one
It's National Boarding Week and we're excited to share more about one of our boarders, Tom. Tom is in Year 12 this year, but when he started looking at schools, boarding in another state wasn't something his family had initially considered. Now, they think it was the right decision to take that big step.
Tom’s mum, Karen, says, ‘We agreed to drive to Melbourne to look at several schools, but we thought Tom would be staying in Wagga. Our first visit to Wesley left us in awe. The facilities, the environment, the staff, everything was amazing. We spent the 4.5 hour drive home asking ourselves, “how are we going to make this work?”’
In the three years since he commenced boarding at Learning in Residence, Tom has become a well-liked and respected student not only in the boarding house but across the wider Senior School cohort. Now in his final year, he has impressed his peers and broader community sufficiently that they voted him School Captain for 2024.
Tom’s leadership first came to many students’ notice out on the football field, when he was voted Co-Captain of the Year 10A football team after just two matches. Tom will be playing his third season in the First XVIII this year, the school’s top-ranking team, and has enjoyed the close access to training grounds, and the campus’ gym and fitness facilities that comes with living on campus.
‘Learning to live with people who aren’t your family has allowed me to develop my interpersonal skills, and I’ve definitely been able to grow in confidence,’ Tom says. ‘My advice to anyone thinking about going to boarding school is to open yourself up to the experience, keep an open mind, and grab as many opportunities as you can. Boarding school, especially at Wesley, provides such a good chance to set yourself up for success. An opportunity too good to waste.’
‘The final years of school are a time of considerable growth and development, and our goal is to ensure our boarders are fully supported across all domains,’ Tom Giles, Head of Learning in Residence says. ‘Through our Learning in Residence and wellbeing programs, the academic curriculum, and cocurricular experiences, Wesley helps to prepare students for success in their final years of school and life after graduation.’
Boarders have access to a structured evening program of academic extension including small group tutorials and individual learning assistance provided by academic tutors, experienced College teaching staff and mentors. After school and on weekends, the residential curriculum also covers employment preparation and career coaching, life skills, community service, leadership, physical health and fitness and holistic wellbeing.
Find out more
Enrolments are now open for full-time and weekly boarding options. Scholarships are also available for rural and regional students (applications close in September 2024).
