Group interview: what does boarding do for children?

Karen's mum: For us, the commute between home and school takes about 90 minutes as we live far from school. As a result, she would face early mornings and late evenings if she were a day pupil, which would negatively impact her rest. Also, boarding allows her to know the school better and grants her a sense of belonging to the school community while building self-reliance. 

Kylie's mum: By exposing her to people from diverse backgrounds, boarding life cultivates social skills and fosters inclusiveness and empathy, equipping her with vital life skills. What I want is for her not just to be supervised; but for her to develop self-motivated learning and embrace the future with confidence and composure.  

Andy's mum: For me, the major reason is that I wanted to enhance his time management skills, independence, and daily interactions with peers and teachers beyond the classroom walls. Given the high number of single-child families, parents are inclined to inadvertently indulge their children at home. 

When he returns from boarding every week, my son shares his experiences with us. He shares both happy and unhappy stories with us, and we gain valuable perspectives on his social capabilities and areas for growth. It allows us to offer gentle guidance for his development, a discovery that might have eluded us had he remained a day pupil. 

Karen's mum: I think her experience with boarding has been exceptional. Beyond the structured study sessions in the evenings, there is a rich array of activities that keep her engaged. As parents, we are well-informed about these events through regular updates and snapshots from the boarding house. The best indicator of her happiness is the beaming smiles we see in the photos. 

Kylie's mum: She loves her time at the boarding school and always manages her daily life and learning meticulously. She can maintain a positive outlook even when confronted with challenges. Her dormitory reflects her cheerful disposition - bright, welcoming, and lovingly decorated with pictures of us together. 

Andy's mum: My son has been a boarder since grade 5, and he has eagerly embraced boarding life from the beginning. He has consistently expressed his satisfaction with the boarding experience. Although he occasionally has his moments of irritability, he does not require much reassurance from me. Soon enough, he is cheerfully eager to head back to the Boarding House. 

Kylie's mum: Yes, I am.  

Karen's mum: I agree. We saw quite a few student dormitories in the US not long ago during our visit to schools there, and we know the ones at Hiba are top-notch by any standard. 

Andy's mum: I am quite satisfied with the boarding facilities. Not only are the dormitories well-equipped with excellent hardware facilities, but they also offer plenty of spaces for recreation and study. Moreover, he can contact me every day if he chooses to. The medical facilities are also worth mentioning. If he feels under the weather or even has a minor injury like a scrape, the school nurses can inform me directly, which gives me great peace of mind. 

Karen’s mum: I believe that living in the boarding house is pivotal in developing her independence and self-reliance. It is different from being at home, where we as parents usually manage daily affairs, it encourages her to self-manage her routine. Additionally, being a boarder enhances her social skills and community spirit, as it necessitates teamwork, empathy and collaboration. Lastly, the absence of direct parental supervision sharpens her self-management, as she must organise her study and leisure time without assistance. 

Andy's mum: The school's structured routine, where teachers support pupils to plan and monitor their activities, instils a strong sense of time management and discipline. It also encourages children to interact with others, learn cooperation, articulate their own thoughts and requirements, and be considerate of others' needs. This cultivates a robust foundation for their future social engagement. 

Kylie's mum: Boarding school does indeed bring a wealth of benefits to children. It fosters self-reliance, as they learn to manage their after-school hours on their own. In times of adversity, they are given thoughtful support from teachers and the chance for conversations with peers, cultivating their independent thinking and eagerness to learn. Academically, they also have ample time to engage in a wide range of activities, ensuring their talents and interests are nurtured alongside their studies. Boarding life further presents children with the opportunity to address real-world challenges and interact with a diverse peer group. They step out of their homes nurturing environment to one that is more authentic and varied. This refines their adaptability and communication skills, fostering a greater sense of maturity and self-assurance in social exchanges. 

Karen's mum: The boarding staff are exceptionally kind and caring towards the children. It feels like they can interact with the children like friends, not imposing any extra pressure on them. 

Andy's mum: From what my son has described, the boarding staff are incredibly gentle with the children and respect their ideas. For example, when he joined Hiba in grade 5, he was still learning how to manage his time effectively. The staff patiently guided and taught him how to do this, helping him to strike a balance between his learning and personal life. They ensure that the children have ample freedom to cultivate and strengthen their friendships. 

Kylie's mum: Ming House has abandoned the traditional model where boarding pupils are overseen by an Ayi, and adopted a progressive approach from British boarding schools. Here, the boarding staff and mentors reside on campus, treating it as their home. They coexist with the boarders as educators and as companions. This is one of the main reasons why I decided to enroll my daughter in the Boarding House. I hold the Hiba staff in high regard for their unwavering commitment and professional excellence, consistently quickly finding solutions to any concerns that arise. 

Karen's mum: Yes, I would choose to have my child live in the Boarding House again. 

Kylie's mum: I would make the same decision again. 

Andy's mum: Yes, I am convinced that the decision to send my son to the Boarding House was the right one. Frankly, it is a given that children will eventually reside in dormitories, most notably when they attend university. They will have to adapt to a new setting and interact with strangers, which is certainly a challenging endeavour. Thus, the earlier they get used to such an environment, the more beneficial it is for them.  

Karen's mum: We enrolled our daughter in the Boarding House when she was in Grade 5. I was hesitant to let her go, considering her young age. However, after she had been boarding for a while, I saw that she had matured and developed a deeper sense of responsibility. She managed to achieve things we had doubted she could. Also, since she began boarding, my involvement in her academic supervision has been minimal. When she returns home for the weekends, she takes the initiative to manage her schedule independently. Over the course of five years, we have never received any negative comments from the school, which is a source of immense relief and pride for me. 

Kylie's mum: She is now assertive and resilient and has essentially mastered the art of mixing with people of various personalities and interests in harmony.   

Andy's mum: His time management and personal organisation skills have improved significantly. It can still take some time for him to build rapport with his classmates and teachers, but his communication and collaboration skills have improved notably, and he is no longer afraid of social interactions. 

Andy's mum: I believe that if a child is not against the idea of boarding, they should be encouraged to step out of their comfort zone. Boarding can serve as a platform for the development of a wide array of skills. It is beneficial to have a conversation with the child first, such as discussing what preparations might be needed and to help them envision the new environment, fostering a sense of excitement and adventure. Also, with a weekly boarding arrangement, children can return home every weekend, making the change more manageable for them. If a child expresses any unease, it is important to reassure them that they can always return home to get ready again, which can give them a greater sense of comfort and willingness to embrace the new experience. 

Karen's mum: Every child is an individual, and thus, my advice on boarding is to tailor the decision to the child's needs and choose a path that is best for them. Furthermore, allowing the child to experience boarding life when there is a chance can be positive for them. The decision to send my daughter to the Boarding House was not an easy one for us, yet the experience has significantly transformed her for the better. Encourage them to aim high, for the world is their oyster. As children will ultimately venture beyond our care into a wider world, it is character building for them to gain a taste of independence at the earliest opportunity. 

Kylie's mum: Despite varying family backgrounds and the unique personalities of our children, I believe we all share a common educational aspiration - to nurture children who are well-rounded in character, emotionally mature, self-reliant, independent, and capable of leading a fulfilling life. 

If you opt to introduce your child to the boarding lifestyle, I recommend using the holiday to first foster their sense of independence and the practice of self-directed learning. It is important to create a nurturing and supportive environment for your child, assisting them in understanding that independence is essential in their life journey and crucial for realising their personal value. The greatest expression of love is often found in the act of letting go, which empowers children to explore life's path on their own, with belief that the future ahead is promising.