A Home Away from Home
The Revd Peter Laurence OAM, CEO, AngliSchools
Esperance Anglican Community School has a special place within the AngliSchools family. Established in 2008 as the ninth AngliSchool, it remains the only non-government secondary school in Esperance. The School provides a co-educational Anglican education for day and boarding students from Years 7 to 12 and is AngliSchool’s only boarding school.
Its location in one of Western Australia’s most beautiful regional communities gives the School a character all of its own. Students enjoy many opportunities that come with living and learning close to Esperance’s beautiful beaches, national parks and coastline.
For boarding students, Esperance Anglican Community School offers something even more important: a home away from home
McVay House
McVay House opened on the School campus in 2015 with just three boarders. Since then, it has grown steadily and now welcomes up to 40 students from regional and remote communities across our state.
The boarding house was established to support rural and regional families who wanted a high-quality educational experience for their child who otherwise may have limited options for schooling near home. For some students, attending school means travelling a long way from their families and local communities.
Boarding can be a big transition for any young person and the dedicated staff at McVay House provide support in many different ways. They oversee each student’s academic progress, care for their wellbeing and help them manage the everyday responsibilities of living away from home, including taking care of their rooms and shared spaces.
The aim is to create a family environment in which boarders share meals, study together and participate in group activities. It’s equally important that each student has a space to call their own and they are encouraged to decorate their rooms and make them feel like home. Boarding is an experience that sees students learn independence and responsibility, as well as patience, consideration and looking out for one another.
McVay House is closely connected with School life. Boarders participate in worship, learning, sport, music, outdoor education, service and the big array of activities that make up a busy secondary school.
Boarders are also able to make the most out of living in Esperance. Trips to local beaches, national parks, sporting activities and community events help them feel connected to the town and enjoy the great outdoors of Esperance.
A strong partnership between the School and families is essential to boarding life. Parents place great trust in the School when their children are away from their families. McVay House staff work closely with families and teaching staff to provide a safe, caring and well-ordered home in which each student is known and supported.
We give thanks for the students, families and staff who make McVay House a genuine home away from home at Esperance Anglican Community School.
