At Abbotsleigh, we make it our highest priority to ensure that all girls in our boarding school are nurtured and supported within a safe and secure environment. The boarding school staff aim to support the girls as they reach their academic, social and emotional potential, helping them to gain independence and success in a structured environment based on mutual respect and the Christian values of the School.
Abbotsleigh has all the advantages of a large city school but it is set on the leafy North Shore, on 12 hectares of land. Abbotsleigh is close to the end of the F3 freeway to the north and north-west and is 10 minutes from the end of the M7.
The School has approximately 170 boarders from Years 7 to 12. About 90% of boarders come from country and regional NSW with a sprinkling of students from overseas and greater Sydney. Boarders are an integral part of the School community, providing diversity and an added richness to the School.
Living in this tight-knit community helps the girls forge lifelong friendships and learn to understand the different views and aspirations of others. The 'Big Sister Program', whereby boarders in Year 12 take on a 'little sister' in Year 7 helps to quickly settle our youngest students into the boarding community.
In each of the
four boarding houses, the girls are supervised by a Boarding Coordinator who makes sure the daily needs of the girls are met.
After school, boarders have access to the
Abbotsleigh Research Centre and computer labs. The girls must attend a prep period where they can study and plan for the day ahead. Free tutoring is also provided to Middle School boarders, especially those in Year 7, as girls often enter Abbotsleigh from diverse academic backgrounds.
While we try to make boarding life as homely as possibly, we know that we will never replace parents, pets and home. To this end the boarding school allows
unlimited access to parents and family at any time. Family members are welcome to join boarders for dinner and parents may take their daughters out if they happen to be in town. Our resident guide dog puppy brings a family atmosphere to the boarding community.
The
City Family Scheme also exists for all new boarders. The city family is an Abbotsleigh family who helps a new boarder adjust to life away from home, to learn about the School and the city, to celebrate birthdays, give advice and to be a friend close by.