AIRY, modern and spacious facilities finally started to feel like home in St Patrick’s College new boarding house on Wednesday afternoon. The boys arrived.
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Doors officially opened for boarders and their families to get their first look inside the $6.7 million facility, the day before classes resumed.
It has taken two years to complete the first two stages in the new build, which brings all boarders together under one roof.
St Pat’s boarding captain James Richardson, from Rockhampton, said it was great to settle into such amazing facilities together.
“We’ve come from two boarding houses but now we’re all together it will help create such a stronger community,” Richardson said. “It’s also so much more spacious – I’m sure all the boys approve.
“I love boarding. It’s always hard leaving family, but the opportunities here are endless and it really can feel like a continuous sleep-over with your best mates.”
The college will officially reintroduce year seven and eight boarders to what has traditionally just been a program for seniors. There will full-time and weekly boarding and, for the first time, a flexi-boarding option.
Take a tour with St Pat’s boarding director Mike Silcock below
Boarders share bedrooms in pairs, compared to three to four boys each room in past St Pat’s boarding houses. Juniors have modified adjoining rooms, based on boarder feedback, to spend more time together.
There are specially designed areas for quiet spaces, activity and a mini-theatre in the three-storey house.
St Pat’s boarding director Mike Silcock boarded for 11 years, from the age of seven, during his schooling in the United Kingdom. He hoped the new St Pat’s boarding house would helped create the same sense of community right through high school that he enjoyed.
“All I want is for our boys to have that love of boarding I had – it’s why I’m still involved in boarding now. This space enables us to do that,” Mr Silcock said.
“No-one’s had the chance to see this building before today. It’s taken us two years to get to this point and has been missing one key thing – the boys – but now they’re finally living in it.”
St Pat’s will start the year with 62 boarders. The boarding house has 78 student beds in 39 bedrooms with plans to increase capacity to 90 beds and 45 bedrooms.
Stage three construction is underway for new kitchen and dining facilities with expected completion by July.
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