THE students themselves had a hand in a new-look boarding building at Scots All Saints College that had its official opening on Tuesday.
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Senior girl students met with head of college John Weeks regularly last year to discuss what they hoped could be included in Ives House, on the Scots campus, as it was renovated over the summer break.
"They came up with a gym, a specialist music room and an art room," Ives House head Lynne Woodlock said.
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Ives House now has all those features, as well as common areas and individual bedrooms, in what is described by boarding prefect Megan Davis as a "wonderful" building.
"They have done such a great job. It feels like a home away from home," she said.
Ives House was used as a boarding facility for years seven to 12 boys last year, but is now, after being gutted internally as part of the renovations, home to senior girls - years 11 and 12 primarily, though with some year 10s.
There are 22 girls, many of whom are from isolated western areas of the state, and five staff members living at Ives House.
Ms Woodlock said the college had been using "vertical boarding", in which years seven to 12 are in the one boarding house, but has changed its philosophy to "horizontal boarding", in which juniors and seniors are separated.
Having the senior students together, she said, allows for a more "focused academic" atmosphere.
New director of boarding Anthony Le Couteur, who joined the college this year, said boarding is a sacrifice - both for the boarders themselves and for their parents - so it is important to have an environment "that is as close to home as you can get".
"They can find their place," he said.
"They can find their place in the boarding house, they can find the subjects they like.
"The basis of our boarding is strong and meaningful relationships - when you have that, you get a sense of belonging.
"And once you feel that you belong, it gives you the opportunity to flourish and thrive."