BOARDING

Cribb House is home to a vibrant community of young women. The Cribb House team manage the day-to-day operation of the boarding house, while providing a safe, supportive environment for all students.

Recently renovated, Cribb House stands in the middle of our campus and overlooks the city of Ipswich and the School’s extensive, landscaped grounds.

Our girls eat healthy meals which are made fresh in our Dining Hall each day.

Your daughter’s health and well-being are paramount, and our dedicated teachers, psychologist, registered nurse, experienced boarding supervisors, and staff are all on hand to take good care of her.

An obvious aspect of an education at a boarding school is that students live away from their families. Contemporary boarding lifestyles are very different from their traditional counterparts, especially for boarders and parents who are new to the practice.

A little independence and routine can be helpful when preparing for boarding. A very effective way to prepare your daughter is to establish a daily routine such as waking up at a certain time, grooming herself, and packing her own lunch each morning. It is also helpful to learn how to sort and wash laundry (remember to wash light and dark colours separately!) as well as how to use the toaster and microwave. A transition plan that involves staying in touch with home will also be helpful.

New boarders, especially younger students, may find organisation of personal belongings to be a challenge. We understand that learning how to keep their wardrobe and drawers in a tidy condition can be daunting. We want to assure boarders that we are here to help them learn how to fold clothes and store belongings in an organised way. We also encourage them to try their hand at bed making, personal laundry and ironing.

Boarders are encouraged to immerse themselves in social activities and planned events in order to make friends and create a sense of belonging. We understand that it is important for children to feel reassured of parental love and support. At the same time, we also believe that allowing them some space and time to adjust to their new environment is beneficial for their growth and development.

During Prep, we support your daughter's academic welfare by providing access to tutors.

Every boarder is required to take part in supervised Prep on Sunday to Thursday nights. 

Prep is designed to encourage the development of lifelong, healthy study habits and maximise uninterrupted study time.

At Cribb House, we believe that good nutrition is critical for every child’s short and long-term health, including both their physical and cognitive development. Healthy eating habits learned during childhood are usually continued throughout life. Healthy eating can also help to reduce the risk of illness.

While on campus, boarders are expected to attend meals offered in the Dining Room. Boarders are grouped into ‘Family Tables’ during mealtimes which are a mixture of year-level groups, led by a Year 12 student. ‘Family Tables’ replicate a supportive, family environment for boarders.

We encourage our students to take this opportunity to connect with their peers and enjoy their meals together.

Boarders lead active lives and frequently attend social, cultural and co-curricular activities. Therefore, these details must be on our leave system and remain up to date to assist in enabling these leave opportunities.

At Cribb House, we use a Boarding Management System called REACH, which enables boarders and staff to manage leave arrangements and permissions at any given time. REACH is available through the student portal but is also an Android and Apple app. Boarders will receive a password and username to access their leave-request account upon arrival to boarding at Cribb House.

Boarders are encouraged to enjoy a balance of academic studies, co-curricular activities and rest and relaxation. Leisure time forms an important part of life at Cribb House. At the end of the school day, boarders have personal time to rest, play sport, read, talk with friends and wind down.

Ipswich is a dynamic town offering the feel of a small community while being close to major entertainment precincts and natural attractions. Boarders enjoy visiting Brisbane city, South Bank Parklands - home to many cultural spaces including the State Library, Queensland Museum, Queensland Art Gallery, Gallery of Modern Art and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre - and the Gold Coast. In our own backyard, there is also much to explore, with walking trails, local markets and shopping centres close by. Boarders are encouraged to immerse themselves in social activities and planned events to help build their sense of belonging.

While at Cribb House, students can relax and socialise with friends in common areas. These consist of lounges, TV, DVD player, fridge and microwave, as well as access to board games. Cribb House has access to Disney+, Netflix and Prime.

We understand that modern families need flexibility and convenience we and offer a variety of after-school care and overnight boarding options through our Grammar Plus program. 

Grammar Plus options include: 

• Grammar Plus study: Afternoon tea, shower, dinner with the boarders, two-hour supervised homework session, late pick-up at 9pm.
• Grammar Plus overnight: A popular option for girls with a heavy co-curricular program, during exam blocks or who may live outside a travelling radius of 30 minutes from the school.