Boarding in Australia’s Capital

Boarding is available for students in Years 7 to 12, providing a supportive and consistent pathway throughout the Senior School years.

Students join our boarding community at different stages of their education and are supported to settle in, build friendships and establish routines from the time they arrive. As they progress through the School, boarders develop greater independence and responsibility, with the continuity of the boarding community supporting them through to Year 12.

Yes. Canberra Grammar School offers co-educational boarding, with girls and boys living in separate boarding houses and each supported by a dedicated Head of Boarding.

Students come together as part of the wider boarding and School community for meals, activities and shared experiences, while their residential spaces provide dedicated environments appropriate to each boarding house.

Most boarders have their own room, giving students a personal space to study, relax and make their own. All girls have standalone rooms, while some Year 7 and 8 boys may share doors, depending on boarding numbers. Students are encouraged to make the space their own, and decorate as they please, within reason.
Each room has heating and air conditioning, with shared common and recreation spaces giving students plenty of opportunity to spend time together.

Boarders have dedicated evening study time, providing a consistent routine for homework, assessment and independent learning throughout the School week.

Academic tutors provide additional support within the boarding environment, while students can also access the broader academic support available across Canberra Grammar School, including their teachers and departmental tutorials. Living on campus also makes it easier for boarders to balance their academic commitments with sport, rehearsals and other co-curricular activities.

As students progress through Senior School, the structure of evening study supports them in developing greater independence, effective study habits and confidence in managing their own workload.

Students have the opportunity to become familiar with boarding before their first term. A Sleepover and Experience Day is held in the year prior to commencement, giving incoming boarders the chance to experience the environment, meet others and begin to understand what everyday boarding life will look like.

For girls, a buddy system provides another connection within the community, pairing newer boarders with an experienced boarder each term.

Distance from home shouldn’t mean distance from family.

Parents and students can remain in regular contact throughout their time in boarding, while boarding staff maintain an ongoing relationship with families. Parents are invited to an online meeting once each term and receive boarding newsletters twice each term, alongside regular communication by email and phone.

The Boarder Parent Committee Group also meets each term, providing families with an opportunity to share feedback, raise questions and contribute to boarding life. Families are invited to boarding events throughout the year, creating further opportunities to spend time within the community their child is becoming part of.

Weekends give students the opportunity to stay active, spend time together and experience more of Canberra and the surrounding region.

Boarders are offered three optional outings each weekend, with activities throughout the year ranging from Luna Park and surf trips to snowshoeing in the mountains.

Students are also encouraged to participate in a summer and winter sport, with support provided to attend training, games and other commitments throughout the year. Arrangements for weekly boarding can be discussed with families where appropriate.

Boarders have access to the School Health Clinic and registered nurses, with a visiting doctor and additional medical support available when required. The School’s counsellors and psychologists are also available to support students when needed.

Boarding staff can assist with external appointments and the practicalities of managing health needs while a student is away from home, helping families remain informed and involved in their child’s care.

Living on campus makes it easier for boarders to become part of the wider life of the School. Students can take part in the School’s extensive sporting and co-curricular programmes, making use of facilities across the Red Hill campus beyond the classroom day.

Boarders are encouraged to participate in summer and winter sport, with support provided to attend training, games and other commitments throughout the year. Opportunities can also extend further afield through School exchanges, tours and other programmes.

Yes. Canberra Grammar School welcomes international students into its boarding community, with the Registrar providing guidance to families throughout the enrolment process and in the arrangements required before commencing at the School.

This can include assistance with guardianship and accommodation matters, health insurance and visa requirements. Most overseas students seeking a boarding place will also undertake capability and achievement assessments to help the School understand their readiness for the courses offered and their English-language proficiency.

Fore more information on International Students, please click HERE.