International and regional students typically choose to board fulltime. Students live in the Boarding House throughout the whole School year, only departing for School holiday breaks and long weekends/exeats.
Boarding
Learn and live your possible.
Join a century-old community of resilient, capable and courageous women. Life at the Canberra Girls Grammar School Boarding House is experiencing a 100-year legacy of educational excellence, connection and opportunity—right on your doorstep.
Known affectionately as the BoHo, our Boarding House was the first in the ACT, and remains the only exclusively female option. Since 1926 students have enjoyed our charming building, on a picturesque corner of inner Canberra, with a calm and consistent educational environment, affording them the time and space to flourish. It’s within these historic walls that generations of women have learnt and led, navigated change and challenges and formed lifelong bonds to emerge empowered and independent.
At the BoHo, each boarder wakes up to a community that feels connected. It’s a female-focused home where kindness and compassion shape every interaction, and one in which everyone belongs. Our boarders come from all corners of the globe, so naturally, diversity is celebrated. Respect and harmony is championed and each individual is known and valued. With expert staff on hand and access to our premier school facilities onsite, the BoHo is a place where everyone is encouraged to lean into and hone their individual strengths.
A home in the heart of the nation's capital
Nestled in the picturesque foothills of Red Hill, our School is just one kilometre from Parliament House, and minutes to Australia’s national institutions, high-performance sport facilities, 100+ Embassies and High Commissions and Federal Government departments.
Be fully immersed in School life
Boarders make the most of every day in our supportive and nurturing learning environment, where they discover a sense of belonging and flourish as a valued member of our wider School community. Beyond a world-class educational setting, we provide extensive co-curricular program, designed for a wide and enriching experience. Every effort is made to offer opportunities for boarders to explore their passions, discover new talents and find what appeals to them personally.
From a heritage site in an urban setting, the Boarding House provides a connection to our century-old community, balanced with a progressive and dynamic education. Our boarders sit at the centre of School life, free to study, socialise and create, whilst also learning to become responsible for themselves and each other.
Scholarship and Bursary Program
Pivotal to the School’s 100-year legacy of educational excellence, connection, opportunity and commitment to diversity is our renowned Scholarship and Bursary Program.
Prospective boarders have access to the Program, which has two streams: the Scholarship stream, recognising student dedication and excellence in combination with high achievement in sport, music, artistic pursuits or across multiple disciplines; and the Bursary stream, which aims to provide a world-class education available for those for whom it may otherwise not be possible. The Bursary stream is open year-round to boarding students living in remote, regional and rural communities.
A choice of boarding options
We appreciate that every family is unique. CGGS is perfectly positioned to provide educational, co-curricular and pastoral consistency to support your family’s circumstances.
Our boarding options cater to your family’s needs in a modern world. Our various choices provide consistency and quality care.
Full-time boarding
Weekly boarding
Casual boarding
Full-time boarding
Weekly boarding
Weekly boarding can take some of the pressure off busy family life. Students stay four nights at School (Monday to Thursday) then three nights at home (Friday to Sunday). This is an excellent solution for families who live just across the ACT border, or parents/guardians who need to manage shift, extended, interstate or international work commitments.
Casual boarding
‘As required’ boarding is an attractive support option to back up families to meet their commitments, better manage short times of transition, or unexpected events. For example, a student may have sport or music or another activity after School. Rather than travel afterhours, they can stay in the Boarding House for one or two nights each week (subject to availability). Or, a fortnightly booking may help out parents/guardians who are called to travel for an unforeseen business trip or in times of illness or emergency.
The workings of our Boarding House
Located on the same grounds as the Senior School, a boarder makes the most of each day to bring out their best.
The day-to-day
Academic commitments
Co-curricular: Cygnus at CGGS
Health and wellbeing support
The day-to-day
Boarders typically share a room with one to two others, with Senior boarders allocated a single room. It’s primarily a space for rest, but also where they can bond and bring their creature comforts from home.
On the ground floor, the Boarders’ Sitting Room is a space to relax and socialise. With access to the courtyard, this large, light filled lounge space has board games, a TV, craft supplies and a small kitchenette. Throughout the BoHo are various common spaces and ‘relaxation zones’ in which the girls can mingle, socialise and have some down time.
Nearby are our three Study Prep rooms, which are always available for quiet, focused moments or deep study.
Boarders with a passion for music can store and practice their instruments in our onsite Music Room, which includes two pianos. It is common place to hear melodies echo down the halls of the house.
Meals are a communal time in the Dining Hall. The sweeping ceilings have looked over generations of women, who have long gathered to enjoy food and share stories in this space. A balanced hot and cold menu provides options for all dietary requirements. Produce is locally sourced and the menu changes seasonally and evolves according to boarder’s feedback.
All boarders have regular access to the Senior School facilities within a minute walk, including the School Library, the netball and tennis courts, oval, gym and indoor heated pool.
Academic commitments
Academic focus is intrinsic to a boarder’s daily life, well beyond when the School bell rings. Not only do they receive the highest quality education during the day, a boarder benefits from professional academic support by qualified tutors.
During designated Study Prep time—and in their own time—homework, revision, reading and research is encouraged, and importantly, prioritised. The structure ensures that homework is well managed, and assistance is provided to navigate assignments, assessments and in preparation for exams.
Years 7–10 boarders complete their Study Prep in designated spaces, Monday to Thursday evening, while supervised by tutors.
Years 11–12 boarders can complete their Study Prep in the dining room, Library, or their own rooms. Boarders can also attend after School tutoring in English, Mathematics and Science along with their peers in the Day School, or during Study Prep periods in the BoHo.
Co-curricular: Cygnus at CGGS
Integral to the educational experience at CGGS is Cygnus.
Cygnus at CGGS is our comprehensive co-curricular offering, designed to amplify and extend the rich learning that takes place in the CGGS academic and pastoral care programs.
Experience a constellation of programs and activities; Cygnus at CGGS encourages you to lean into your strengths, explore a myriad of opportunities and thrive. It makes way for all to contribute, engage, improve and excel, to reach your full potential.
Health and wellbeing support
If ever required, a network of formal frameworks and professional support are on hand to foster respectful relationships and individual growth, led by the Director (Student Care and Experience) with relevant care and interventions that may involve the Heads of House, Psychologists, Counsellors, Assistant Director of Boarding and the Chaplain.
The BoHo team include:
- Director of Boarding.
- Supervisors who have a variety of backgrounds in education and wellbeing.
- Academic tutors available for Prep times.
All facets of a boarder’s wellbeing is anticipated—our professional team is interested, involved and well-versed in adolescent needs and follow robust process and protocol. From managing important heath needs, to homesickness, to friendship dynamics, help and guidance is always on hand. The Boarding House is also the location of the Health Clinic, rostered by Registered Nurses, and for peace of mind, CGGS is situated within minutes to two major Hospitals.
This holistic approach is underpinned by a proactive and progressive Pastoral program that promotes a culture of care.
Meet Robin, Director of Boarding
Robin Bussenschutt oversees the complete CGGS boarding experience, managing the many facets of communal living in a learning setting.
With over 45 years of educational experience in teaching and boarding Robin has specialised in boarding at schools across the world. From India to the Netherlands to rural and city Australia, Robin has a deep understanding and respect of the boarding culture, and the importance of building a female-focused community.
Although the transition to boarding in a new city can be daunting, Robin and her tight-knit team of professionals swiftly work to settle boarders with routine, inclusive activities, collective expectations, set structures and of course, kindness. Within this framework boarders are encouraged to develop independence, tolerance and self-sufficiency and to ‘give it a go’.
The team often speak of the joy of being there when a boarder is embarking on life’s journey, and see it as a privilege to be a part of their formative years.
Wagga Wagga Boarding Schools Expo
20–21 June
Bolton Park Stadium, 50 Morgan Street, Wagga Wagga