Never too late to be pleasantly surprised!

After eighteen years supporting boys in a residential pastoral environment (boarding) I have only experienced a horizontal system.  A system across one year group only (horizontal).  Here at Shore it is a vertical system.  School House for example, has 60 boys, living in the house, ranging from Yr 7 to Yr 12.

If you’re told something often enough, you tend to believe it.  It’s interesting, when you live and exist in a particular world, how you can believe and reiterate, something that you have never questioned.  But when you step out of that comfort zone and immerse yourself in a different ‘world’, the fog lifts and you can’t believe how narrow minded you have been.  I must admit as I write this, I am shaking my head because the reality is, I’ve never given this much thought until now and the people who have been telling me that the horizontal system is the best, have only lived in a horizontal world, no experience in the vertical system.

So what are some myths that I can debunk:

• Horizontal system allows House staff to know the boys better. – The system doesn’t promote a better understanding of the boys.  This depends on the individual staff members. Anyone who is genuine ‘walking’ with the boys and supporting them will succeed in either system.
• Horizontal system allows you to target individuals better – This is not true.  I have been impressed with the way that the older boys in School House have taken ownership of acting as big brothers.  Although as Housemaster I appreciate the work of the House staff the older boys ensure that there are always other eyes looking out for the boys. It’s also comforting for the younger boys to communicate with older boys throughout the school day.
• Horizontal system negates bullying from older boys – Nonsense!  Back in the 1980’s when I was a boarder what is now called pastoral care did not exist.  We did the right thing (most of the time) because we would get punished, not because it was the right thing to do.  I remember if an older boy asked for a chip you very quickly handed over the whole packet!  Today as the staff of the House have become more understanding and constantly demonstrate empathy to the boys the boarders have followed with their relationships with each other. The interaction between the older and younger boys in School House is so genuine, it now becomes a constant reminder that we as adults can now learn much from the boys around us.
• The Vertical system creates a divide between boarders and day boys – Possibly.  I have seen no evidence of this at Shore.  Every day boarders take their lunch and eat it with the day boys. There is also a tremendous program in place where younger boarders are linked with city host families.  Boarders are constantly taking leave with their city host and during the holidays there are plenty of city folk enjoying their share of country hospitality.  The coming holidays are no exception with a number of city boys heading west to the Weston’s home, for an old fashion country get-together.