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Features




          WHAT TO EXPECT IN

                                                                                                              Safe Accommodation                        Students cultivate a positive attitude in a conducive
          A BOARDING SCHOOL                                                                                   Parents who are concerned about their children’s   learning arena by prioritising areas that matter. This

                                                                                                              safety do not need to worry because the security and   in turn gradually motivates them to achieve decent
                                                                                                                                                        grades in academic subjects and improvements
                                                                        Dion Ooi, Director                    comfort of students are our top-most priorities. The   in behaviour and attitude. Boarding does not
                                                                                                              school is safe and closely monitored with guards and
                                                                        of Marketing,                         CCTV monitoring at all times. Parents should be at   only promote quality education. Students also
                                                                                                                                                        get to discover more about themselves through
                                                                        Boarding and                          ease knowing their child is safe in a boarding school.   participation in extracurricular activities such as the
                                                                                                              Boarders are monitored and guided throughout
                                                                        Operations (MBO)                      their day- to-day activities. Depending on the school,   Duke of Edinburgh programme which highlights the
                                                                                                                                                        best qualities and hidden talents of students as well
                                                                        of Westlake                           boarders are provided double and single bedrooms   as giving them life-enriching memories. Students are
                                                                                                              with attached bathrooms and air-conditioning
                                                                        International                         in every unit. This is where they socialise, form   also encouraged to acquire multiple soft skills such
                                                                        School, shares his                    friendships, study or simply read peacefully.   as leadership, decision-making, social networking
                                                                                                                                                        and team-building to prepare them to step into the
                                                                        thoughts on what                      Constant Care and Support                 college lifestyle.
                                                                        to expect in a                        Parents may wonder whether their children’s needs   How Does Boarding Prepare Students
                                                                                                              are being attended to, especially during difficult
                                                                        boarding house.                       times. There should be no cause for concern.   for Life after School?
                                                                                                              The management and staff of the school are very   Students must expect a highly diverse life once
                                                                                                              attentive to the physical and emotional welfare of   they leave school as they will be surrounded by
              oarding Schools, in general, are purposed to   terms of food intake, hours of sleep and screen time   boarders at all times, whether it has to do with the   people from different backgrounds, in terms of
              train students, aged 12 to 18 years old, to be   to ensure they are in good shape and have sufficient   provision of food, organising bonding sessions and   the languages spoken and their cultural outlook.
          Bindependent by instilling in them the ideals   energy for other vital tasks.                       movie nights and just providing opportunities for   Fortunately, most boarding schools prepare students
          and principles needed for caring for themselves                                                     friendly interactions. Boarding provides pastoral care   for university life. Students will have learnt to think
          and others. Boarders get to dive into a pool of   Why Boarding is Best for Your Child?              to enhance the intellectual and emotional well-being   and act for themselves without biased assumptions
          opportunities which enable them to attain emotional   Every parent’s huge desire is to witness their children   of the students.              in most situations. They will also be able to hold their
          intelligence, savour independence and uphold   blossom into people with the best attributes and                                               own whilst adapting to different viewpoints others
          integrity alongside their fellow mates.    academic profile in life, and enrolling them in a        Boarding instils a family atmosphere. For example,   bring to the table during interactions.
                                                    boarding school is a small price to pay to achieve        boarders are able to share their feelings and
          Day to Day Boarding                       that. Although parents have to sacrifice witnessing       memories during meals and leisure pursuits.   Boarding helps students cultivate discipline. This
          Boarders rise early to plan and prepare for their day   their children grow every day, boarding happens   Students engage in the performing arts, vocal   enables them to manage their time better while
          ahead. They tidy their rooms and walk to school for   to be the persistent and favoured choice among   training, playing musical instruments, and other   leading a balanced lifestyle. The boarding experience
          breakfast at the school cafeteria. Boarding facilities   them. Boarding is an ideal choice for busy parents,   activities that sharpen life skills needed for future   fosters independence and helps the students to
          allow students to have enough time for themselves   juggling between career and home life. Boarding   prospects. The house parents are empathetic, and   stand out among others when applying for admission
          to be prepared for school. After school, they go   offers a balanced programme that aims to nurture   focused on ensuring that boarders are comfortable,   in universities. They will have no problem adapting
          back to their respective boarding houses for a rest   students especially in a multicultural environment.    excel academically, and are socially engaged.  to dorm lifestyle at university. Boarding also ensures
          before their evening sports. However, this varies                                                                                             students have the skills to manage their basic
          when parents make special arrangements for private   Boarding Fosters Independence                  What Do Students Gain from the            finances, food, needs, as well as to mingle with
          tutoring or music lessons after school. After their   Boarding is especially known for fostering    Boarding Experience?                      unique people who come from different places.
          evening sports and dinner, they head back to the   independence within students from a very young   One of the crucial benefits gained by students from
          boarding house for their preparatory time.  age as it is undeniable that one’s character is built   boarding is that they learn how to improve in terms   In short, students breathe in the essence of self-
                                                    through facing and overcoming challenges. That            of attitude, time management, and productivity.   reliance throughout their boarding experience.
          The boarders spend some time together with their   may sound difficult at first, but it is worth learning   Students gain the multi-tasking ability where they   They say confidence is the key to success and the
          housemates at the main chill-out area on completing   how to deal with hardship as the individual will   perform domestic chores and finish up school   boarding school experience equips the students with
          homework or revision. On weekdays, students have   reap the benefits in the long run. When boarders   assignments single-handedly. In doing so, they   the confidence and skills needed for university and
          the liberty to unwind or make calls after completing   are away from their comfort space, they will have   start believing in their own capabilities and efforts   for life.
          their preparatory work but are expected to have their   to make their own choices, be it right or wrong, on   and work towards becoming the best version of
          lights off by 10:30pm. A great aspect of Westlake   a daily basis. This experience inevitably fosters a   themselves, in every respect.       For more information, please visit
          International School (WIS) Boarding is that the House   culture of responsibility, maturity and competence                                    www.westlakeschool.edu.my
          Parents and certified on-campus nurse will keep an   and facilitates the transition towards a life beyond
          eye on the health and wellness of the boarders, in   education.



    30   www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com                                                                                                    EDUCATION DESTINATION MALAYSIA: Guide to International & Private Schools  31
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