Medbury School - Independent School For Boys

Boarding

Enthusiasm, an awareness of others and their feelings, the development of independence, a sense of belonging, the growth of self-esteem are the aims of our boarding house.

When Medbury opened in 1923 there were more boarders than dayboys. Today about 13% of the school are boarders, yet their contribution plays a significant part in the overall life of the school.

Coming from a country school into the city is a big step for a boy. They are coming from a usually close-knit family and school community into an environment quite different from any they have experienced. Our role as a boarding school is to provide a caring community and one in which boys have support, companionship and opportunities that would not otherwise be available to them. Daily interaction with the dayboys, a busy and challenging academic environment, excellent cultural opportunities and plenty of sporting options all help to make this a busy happy time for our boarders.

The house is run by the Boarding Master (a resident teacher), the Matron, three to four House Masters and two House Tutors. The Headmaster and his wife complete the team. With so many adults working closely with the boys, we really can get to know the boys well and cater to their individual needs, both academic and social.

Medbury aims to provide stability and security for a boarder. He is in a caring, happy community with well-defined bounds. Here the boy has his first exposure to community life. He learns the need to integrate, and to become involved shining in one activity and blending into the crowd for another. He has to acquire both independence and a team spirit.

Boarding Life at Medbury
During the week the boy has a well established routine and timetable which allows space for “time-out” and relaxation as well as the formalities of mealtimes and prep. A less-formal programme is operated at the weekends.

All boys play sport for the school on Saturday mornings and after lunch they may enjoy free time to pursue their own activities or go out on weekend leave with their family. We have a number of boys staying in for a weekend and a special programme is set up for them.

On Saturday nights in summer they often have barbecues and in winter the meal may be fish and chips. After dinner they may have a film evening, an activity evening, a swim evening, or maybe simply watch television.

The Medbury Church Service at 9.00am on Sunday at St Barnabas Church has long been an integral part of Medbury life. Boys are expected to take part and this service does come to mean something, and it gives them the chance to become involved in a communal act of worship with their peers, parents and staff.

Each term the boys and staff have a formal dinner, where a guest speaker is usually invited. In the first and last term of the year the Boarding House hold a Boarders' Weekend where all the boys and boarding staff stay in. Activities include taking a picnic lunch, visiting a parent's farm, walking on the Port Hills, exploring the city of Christchurch, letting off steam on the beach, visiting the airport, learning to sail or engaging in any other activity which provides a change from the normal routines.

Canterbury is a feature-rich province and we make as much use of the city and its environs as possible to provide new experiences for the boys.

Dayboys sometimes join the Boarding House on a casual basis for a spell and this is an added stimulus for the boarders.

Leaves
Boys can go out with their families most weekends apart from Boarder Weekends. Boys may go out after sport on Saturday morning until either Sunday night or Monday morning.
Parents, grandparents and other family members are welcome to visit boys after school and take boys out occasionally on a tea leave during the week.

Communication