The Benefits of Boarding
At Dulwich International High School Suzhou, our rigorous academic standards are supported by emphasizing personal development and preparedness to graduate worldwise. Living away from home and residing in a dorm provides ample opportunities for independent personal growth. Boarding students have to develop life skills such as time management, work ethics, and respectful communal living. While students receive care and support from teaching and boarding staff, they have to take on an added level of responsibility for their learning. This agency helps boarders prepare for university life, where these skills are necessary for them to succeed.
“Boarding helps us prepare for university life, as it improves our ability to communicate with others and makes us more independent.” Anna M.
Living close to school has the enormous benefit that students don’t have to contend with the stress of the daily commute through heavy traffic to get to school on time. Students arrive at school with ample time to enjoy their daily breakfast with friends and prepare for their day ahead. The boarding day is a structured routine, and students learn how to maximize their learning and wellbeing time effectively.
“I find study hall helpful as it gives me focused time to do my homework. Handing in devices ensures I get enough sleep. If I stayed at home, I would stay up late playing on my phone, which is not good for studying.” Liya W.
When the busy school day is over and the day students have gone home, the school becomes a more relaxed hub for studying, practicing skills, and opportunities for group work. The school offers ample places for students to choose quiet spaces to continue their learning. These include music practice rooms, IT suites, the library, and small break-out spaces for collaborative discussions. During the evening, there are times when students can look after their wellbeing by using the sports facilities; basketball courts, the football pitch, fitness suite, and multipurpose indoor gym space for a wide range of activities, including badminton, table tennis, and Frisbee.
“Boarding gives me more time for playing football. Living in boarding is a very special experience”. Ian L.
In boarding, we take the issue of sleep very seriously and have many measures to maximize boarders’ sleep hygiene. Sleep studies consistently show that routine and a quiet setting are vital to a quality night’s sleep. Non-screen time at the end of the day gives our students busy brains time to calm down by reading, talking with friends, and preparing for the day ahead without the constant overload from social media and computer game distractions.
“The routine of boarding helps me feel prepared for my lessons. Going to sleep early helps me have a good mind and clear mood and prepares me for my studies” Ella Y.
Learning and living with peers takes practice. Boarding students learn how to live respectfully and cope with disagreements and sometimes difficult dynamics. Students learn valuable life lessons about conflict resolution, compromise, and supporting each other. Experienced boarding staff support our boarding students and help them learn valuable life lessons that prepare them socially so they are ready for university life and feel more able to cope with a world full of diverse personalities and contrasting views. Boarding life leads to a strong sense of community, and lifelong friendships are forged through shared living experiences. Our students experience a sense of unparalleled community and belonging during their time at Dulwich.
“I get along well with people in my dorm and that gives me a real sense of belonging.” Polly J.
Borders are supported by a boarding staff team and a boarding prefect team. Boarding tutors live on the same floor with boarders and are in close daily contact with them. Each boarding house is led by an experienced boarding parent who lives in boarding, many with their own families. The safety, wellbeing, and care of boarders is a priority for all boarding staff, and much like a family, we are on call 24 hours a day.
“Boarding staff are very supportive, they always carefully listen to my feedback about boarding life” Jeffrey W, Head Boy
“We try and balance what the parents want with what the students want, but most of all, we give our boarders a taste of independent living similar to the experience of university life.” Mrs. Crozier, Head of Boarding.
“I love the strong community and friendships that are formed in boarding. Students quickly adapt to the routines and enjoy the pressure it takes out of their day.” Mrs Gibson, Bancroft Boarding Parent
