Boarding School at UWCT | International school in Thailand

BOARDING AT UWC THAILAND

The Boarding House provides a ‘Home away from Home’ for all of our boarding school students from Grade 9 and above. Boarding life at UWCT is about growing together, bonding with friends from around the world, developing intercultural understanding, and pursuing personal growth under the supervision of teachers, coaches and mentors. The mentors are recruited from around the world for their commitment to nurture, guide and serve as role models. Many of our international mentors have a sports and outdoor education background, as well as their own subject specialism.

Boarding at UWC Thailand International School consists of a Boarding House with a maximum capacity of 84 students. Boarding staff live on campus or at the villas, and supervise students according to a rota. There is always a member of staff to contact in an emergency.

Boarding options are flexible and cater to each individual’s needs. Students can either enroll in full-time boarding seven days a week, or weekly boarding, where students stay Monday through Friday. Trial Boarding is available for students who want to get a flavour for the boarding programme at UWC Thailand before committing to a Weekly or Full Boarding programme. Trial Boarding is a maximum of two weeks. At the conclusion of the trial period, families may choose the Weekly or Full Boarding programme, or return to being a day student.

The purpose behind casual boarding is to assist in the occasional support of families who have no other option for child-care due to unforeseen circumstances. Requests must be approved in advance (a minimum of 72 hours is required unless special circumstances arise) and approvals are on a space-available basis. Casual boarding is limited to seven days per academic year, per student. Please contact the UWCT Admissions Office or the UWCT Head of Boarding, for more information and approval for Casual Boarding.

English is the Boarding House’s common language, although as an international community, it also celebrates the many cultures within.

Boarding School Programmes

Families must choose and commit to one boarding school option per term: either Full Boarding or Weekly Boarding. Trial and casual boarding options are also available to assist in the occasional support of families.

Full Boarding is a seven-day-a-week programme and includes school holidays and breaks. It does not include the long summer holiday break in June, July and early August.

Weekly Boarding is from Sunday evening (and includes the Sunday evening meal) to Friday morning. Weekly boarding does not include holidays or school breaks.

Trial Boarding is available for students who want to get a flavour for the boarding programme at UWC Thailand before committing to a Weekly or Full Boarding School programme. Trial Boarding is a maximum of two weeks. At the conclusion of the trial period, families may choose the Weekly or Full Boarding School programme, or return to being a day student.

Facilities

In the Boarding House and the villas there are large common areas that include lounge and study areas, in which all students are encouraged to share and interact. Students are also encouraged to use the facilities at Thanyapura; including the pools, tennis courts, track and gym. Some activities may require booking through Thanyapura and swimming is not allowed unless a lifeguard is present. Thanyapura Facilities are available from 6:00am to 9:00pm.

Rooms

Some rooms will have two students, most three, and some four. Rooms are furnished with beds, desks, lamps, shelves, closets, and wireless Internet. While all students share a common study area, entertainment rooms and kitchen, there are separate wings for male and female students. Consideration for roommates and respect for property and personal space is expected.

Whilst understanding that student privacy is very important, Boarding Staff reserve the right to check, inspect or search student rooms. Whenever possible, students will be present at that time.

Meals

At meal times our entire boarding school community come together. It is an opportunity to catch up with each other, learn about the events that happened that day, support each other, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company. Unless ill or engaged in school commitments, all boarders are expected to come to the cafeteria for their breakfast and evening meals. The kitchen provides a nutritious and varied menu. To encourage students to engage with each other, mobile phones are not used during meal times.

Key Boarding House Dates

There are 4 formal holidays/breaks plus summer during the UWC Thailand school year when the school is closed. Students may also have some long weekends while teachers and staff participate in professional development. Breaks are appropriate times for medical appointments, college visits, family vacations, etc. Parents are encouraged not to interrupt the student experience with these types of activities while school is in session due to the rigour of the IB programme.

After holidays or breaks, students should return on the day before classes resume, unless they are involved in Grade 11 and MYP boarding student orientation. We encourage families to make travel arrangements well in advance to ensure that students do not leave early or return late.

We expect students to attend all school days. Please be advised that arrival and departure dates are critically important as the Boarding House closes and students are unable to stay on campus at these times.

Weekend Activities

The boarding community comes together on a regular basis to develop a plan for new, fun and engaging activities. Each activity and event is arranged with students’ individual schedules considered and include outdoor activities, entertainment, cultural visits, or service. Some of these activities are free of charge while others may involve incidental costs. These activities are voluntary. We appreciate that at the end of a busy week, students may also need some rest and recovery. Options will be available for students to take some time out and enjoy their home and the facilities on campus.

VIRTUAL TOUR