Choosing a boarding school for you child is a big decision. With over 140 years of boarding experience, we are here to answer any questions you may have about Boarding at The Rockhampton Grammar School. If you cannot find the answer to a question here, or you want to learn more do not hesitate to contact us for more information.
RGS is home to over 315 boarders. There are between 30 and 70 boarders in each year level, spread across boys and girls. While the majority of our boarders hail from regional and remote Central Queensland, it is also home to students from Far North Queensland, the Northern Territory and overseas.
Students can board at The Rockhampton Grammar School from Year 6.
In each year level, both Girls and Boys boarding has a dedicated Head of Year. Heads of Year live on or near campus with their families, readily accessible to the boarders in their care. The Heads of Year are supported by Deans of Boarding, the Director of Boarding and a number of casual boarding staff, who each bring a unique skill set to the boarding community.
All boarders are required to complete ‘Prep’ (homework time) each evening from Sunday through to Thursday. Younger students are supervised in classrooms at set times each evening. Older students work on a similar model, however, have the opportunity to study either in their own rooms or dedicated classroom spaces. For all boarders, a balance is found between their study and their co-curricular commitments. All Prep sessions are supervised by teaching and boarding staff who provide support with homework, assignments and preparation for exams.
All secondary students at RGS are issued with a tablet computer. Boarders are permitted to use these tablets outside school hours for Prep and recreational purposes. All school tablets are wirelessly connected to the School’s internet and shared drives, however there are restrictions on particular websites, including many social media platforms.
RGS is fortunate to have a state-of-the-art Health Centre on campus that is staffed by qualified and caring nurses. The Health Centre provides a 24 hour on-call service for all boarding students. The School also has its own appointed doctor and physiotherapist who regularly visit the School. Parents may direct their child to visit a medical professional of their choice, however all appointments must be made through the Health Centre. For infectious, severe or prolonged illness, it is recommended that the students be cared for at home. All medication must be coordinated through the Health Centre and not be kept by boarding students in dorms.
The School’s dining room has its own fully equipped industrial kitchen staffed by qualified chefs and catering staff. A nutritionally well-balanced diet is provided at all times and fresh fruit, salads, cold meats, breads and spreads are available at every meal. The dining room readily caters for boarders with food allergies or intolerances.
Boarders follow a structured daily routine designed to support their academic, social, and personal wellbeing. Wake-up and bedtime are set to ensure students get adequate rest and are ready for the day ahead. Wake-up typically allows enough time for personal preparation and breakfast before the start of the school day. Bedtime routines begin with wind-down activities, and lights-out is enforced to encourage healthy sleep habits. Specific times vary slightly depending on age, but all schedules are designed with student welfare in mind.
To support focus, wellbeing, and healthy routines, the use of electronic devices is carefully managed during study and bedtime. Younger boarders are not permitted to use their mobile phones during these times, helping them to stay focused during prep and establish good sleep habits. Older boarders may have access to their devices but must keep them at arm’s length and use them responsibly. All device use is guided by clear expectations to ensure it supports learning, limits distractions, and promotes a balanced lifestyle.
Absolutely! All reasonable requests for leave with parents will be approved. The only consideration we ask is that leave should not diminish the opportunity of the student to attain the highest outcomes which they are capable of, and maintain active participation in the boarding community. The first weekend of each term is a 'closed' boarding weekend, where we strongly encourage all boarders to remain on campus to help strengthen the vibrant and supportive community we enjoy in RGS Boarding.
The School operates a full laundry service at no extra cost to parents. Some older boarders may prefer to use the washing machines available to them in their dormitories.
Yes, boarders may hold part-time jobs; however, this is carefully managed to prioritise their wellbeing and ensure school, co-curricular, and boarding commitments remain the focus. Jobs are typically approved on a case-by-case basis, with boarding staff working closely with students and families to ensure the arrangement is successful.
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