DARRELL THATCHER College’s new Director of Boarding and The Centre for Character & Leadership
Darrell Thatcher has been a familiar face around College for the past 15 years, as a mathematics teacher and as the Housemaster of Jacobs House. This year, he was appointed to a new role as Director of Boarding and The Centre for Character & Leadership, which makes him an important advocate for evolving new programmes.
The role of Director of Boarding originated from a review of boarding undertaken last year. Darrell says the result of the review showed the current boarding experience was “Like a well-used chair. Nothing is broken, but some fine tuning would make something good, better.’’ appointed to help in the weekend when most House staff are busy with outside activities such as sport. There are now five staff in each boarding House. “As Director of Boarding, my role is to be the voice and advocate of boarding at Christ’s College across all areas,’’ says Darrell. “This includes students, parents, boarding staff, resources, marketing and promotion, strategic planning and administration. It’s a very wide brief. “We want to ensure all boarders have a common experience, while still retaining the unique and special character of each House.’’ Since the review, new non- residential tutors have been
This review has been looking at current practices such as duties, leave, discipline, prep, boarding programme and curriculum, and facilities. “Before the beginning of the year, we had meetings with Housemasters and House staff to look at areas we could improve, and everyone is motivated and positive to contribute to changes that will mean a better experience for the boys.’’ Darrell is keen to promote both the student and the parent voice, giving boys and their parents the opportunity to contribute to what is happening in boarding. Already he has established student committees in each House, led by the Head of House, along with boys from each age group. He says the main point of these groups is for boarders to: • Have a growth mindset, not a fixed mindset • Produce solutions rather than just identify problems
• Leave a legacy, so when they come back to College they can see boarding thriving and are able to say they contributed to the change • Encourage a new culture in the Houses where all seniors get alongside the juniors and really interact to make it a worthwhile relationship for both age groups. The parents’ voice will be reflected in the development of a Friends of Boarding group which will give parents the opportunity to have their say and to discuss issues that may arise. “This is the first year we are looking at introducing subtle changes and processes and it is really the nuts and bolts year,’’ Darrell says. “From then on, we will be looking at the bigger picture, such as the boarding curriculum, and how we can continue to encourage our boarders to grow into fine young men.’’
Christ’s College Canterbury
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