24 / 164
24
Business View Oceania - October/November 2017
helping young adults to grow into the
best version of themselves,” said
Miss Fogarty.
“We involve them
in conversation and
reflection on how
their behaviour has
impacted others, and
then we help them to
find a way to seek a
better relationship,
or, in fact, gain
forgiveness.”
Miss Fogarty and
Mr Morriss believe
this approach is
a great way to
help students grow into better
adults. Such restorative practices
are used throughout the school
community. With people living
so closely together, especially
adolescents with their quirks and
challenges, knowing that the school
has a safety net of discussion and
calm consideration creates a more
conducive environment for people to
feel respected and valued.
Another thing that separates
Assumption’s boarding program from
others is that its boarding staff live
onsite. When Assumption talks of its
boarding community, it talks of its
student, their families and its staff.
Time spent with, and dedication to,
students by staff is what helps to
deliver that real and rare sense of
family.
“Our staff would not move their
entire family onsite unless they felt
living in a boarding residence would
be a joyful experience,” said Mr
Morriss.
And Miss Fogarty
added: “We offer
them great support,
with opportunities to
lead and be part of
decision making. Our
boarding staff get
all the professional
learning that our
day staff receive,
alongside
regular
pastoral
care
courses to help them
develop and enable them to do their
jobs in the best way possible.”
Staying true to its roots
In explaining how the school is
staying true to its Marist and rural
roots, Miss Fogarty returned to
the downsizing of the boarding
facilities, which was a large financial
investment for the school, one which
she felt was hugely courageous: “It
just showed that we’re not just about
taking kids because we can, but
because we’re staying true to our
values and to the rural families we
have always served.”
The school has even held back from
going after the international market
as many boarding schools have
and has stayed true to the original