BOARDING
AFTER THE LOCKDOWNS THE HILL SPRANG TO LIFE AGAIN
A GENUINE SENSE OF RENEWAL
The mood of the Hill follows a seasonal pattern
One of the many reasons I enjoy living in Melbourne , after having spent some time living overseas , is the weather . As we cycle through the seasons I find that each one is accompanied by a genuine sense of renewal . It is normal to appreciate a spring or summer day having endured a cold , wet winter . Many readers would be familiar with the common refrain from Melburnians , ‘ if you don ’ t like the weather , just wait for an hour ’.
Not unlike the weather , the mood of the Hill also follows a seasonal pattern . Term 4 is often a more relaxed term , strangely enough , with fewer weekend activities and a general feeling of nostalgia for the Year 12 boys as they face their final examinations and life beyond the Hill . Of course , this year has been very strange for all those connected to the Hill . Who would have thought , as we began 2020 , that we would spend several months with boarding closed , with boys unable to return from overseas or interstate ?
It was not long ago that the Hill was bereft of energy and activity , with boys dispersed far and wide . Now we are pulsing with life , and it is with great pleasure that senior staff once again grapple with the many small but important challenges of keeping a community of 200 people safe and content .
Gratitude for what we have returned to , albeit in a reduced format , is very strong among boys and staff . Having endured a COVID-enforced shutdown , we now embrace our opening through a new lens , one that has , at its core , appreciation of the special place the Hill is for boys and staff .
Some changes forced on us have proven to have a positive impact . Parent / teacher interviews for boarding families , conducted by Zoom , were one such benefit . On one occasion I was talking with a boarding father while he was in his ute in the paddock , with mum and son simultaneously logged in from different locations . Dad was able to proudly show off his crop in the background while we discussed their son ’ s progress .
Due to COVID restrictions the Hill continues to operate at a reduced capacity . It is unclear when such government restrictions will be lifted , allowing us to welcome back all boys to their Scotch home . We remain hopeful that , as Melbourne ’ s seasons march inexorably onwards , so too does the life of the Hill as we move into 2021 .
TIM BYRNES – DEAN OF BOARDING
52 Great Scot Issue 161 – December 2020