Boarding life

Boarding life

We offer your child a welcoming and nurturing home away from home while living in a rural community.

Fishing is a popular past time for Albany Residential College boarders.As a boarding student, your child can live and study with other young people from the Great Southern region and beyond. 

They will attend one of 6 local secondary schools and have the chance to enjoy the wonderful recreational and sporting amenities in Albany.

Albany Residential College boarding supervisor helping a student with homeworkWhether your child is preparing for entry into university, another tertiary or training institution, or the workforce, students are provided with high-level educational support while boarding at Albany Residential College.

Your child will be supported by qualified supervisors who guide and encourage students in their academic, sporting and social lives. Our supervisors work closely with the teaching and support staff at our local secondary schools, discussing strategies to enable continuity in your child’s academic and social development.

Students have access to supervised study nights 5 times a week and tutoring 2 nights a week. Private tutoring and group study to support your child’s progress are also available.

Students are provided with internet access and comprehensive learning resources and are encouraged to make the most of their study time.

Albany Residential College boarder studying on her laptop in private A boarding supervisor from Albany Residential College helping a student with their homework Boys working on a laptop at Albany Residential College

A boarding supervisor from Albany Residential College helping a boarder tie a fish hook onto a fishing rod.Albany Residential College is home to 61 students from surrounding country towns. Your child will feel safe in the college environment where we foster a culture of respect, tolerance, and inclusion. Each child in the college feels supported as we invest time and resources to meet their individual social and emotional needs.

Our supervisors develop strong relationships with students and treat them with respect and fairness. It is important to our staff that your child has a positive and happy experience at the college.

Happy student serving food at Albany Residential CollegeBeing physically and mentally healthy is important for your child to do well at school. To ensure they can reach their potential, we help to support them to live healthy lifestyles. We ensure they eat and sleep well, maintain a routine and have plenty of opportunities to exercise and be active. We also help them to access any health services they may need during their stay. 

At Albany Residential College, we provide 3 meals a day plus afternoon tea and supper. Our menu includes a variety of healthy home-style meals and provides for students with dietary needs. We have a 5-week menu rotation which ensures the meals are varied. Our meal plans are in line with the Fresh School Nutrition Advisory Program, FreshSNAP

Check out the delicious meals we have coming up in term 4, on our new menu planner.

We encourage students to be active and participate in group activities. Some of our students play for local cricket and football clubs. Others practice taekwondo or go to army cadets.

You can be assured that your child will be well looked after if they are unwell. We have 2 sick bays on site and general practitioners in town, while Albany Hospital is located nearby. Our supervisors are fully trained in first aid and are on campus 24 hours a day.

Albany Residential College boarder making pancakes Mexican Night Fiesta Feast for boarders at Albany Residential College Eating dinner on the balcony at Albany Residential College. Boarders can learn useful cooking skills in the kitchen at Albany Residential College

Boarders from Albany Residential College fishingAlbany is the perfect place for your child to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle. There are beautiful beaches nearby, a large leisure centre with swimming pools, indoor courts and a recreation centre, and a skate park. 

Our supervisors take students on town leave, visits to the cinema and college camps to provide relaxing time away from study.

As the college is adjacent to Albany Senior High School, the students can use the school oval and courts after school and on the weekends. They play games with their friends and they’re encouraged to participate in activities organised by our supervisors.

Check out all the activities we have planned for this term on our Term 4 2025 activity planner.

Albany Residential College boarding supervisors take boarders mountain biking Netball on the school courts next to Albany Residential College. Fun balance board activity organised by our Albany Residential College boarding supervisors Hockey on the school oval for our Albany Residential College boarders.​​

Pic of boy sitting in front of a mural of an outstretched handSome students may feel homesick when they board away from home. This usually happens when they first arrive and are settling in. We encourage students to speak with supervisors about their feelings or phone home for a chat. Supervisors also try to help students make new friends and feel more at home.

If your child has something on their mind and they would like to speak to someone other than a supervisor, parent or carer, they can seek support from the:

  • Kids Helpline
  • school psychologist
  • school chaplain
  • school nurse.

If you or your child has any concerns about the residential college, please speak with the college manager. If a student has any concerns they feel they cannot raise with the college manager, they can make a complaint using the Department's online form. Alternatively, they can email complaints@education.wa.edu.au.

 Albany Residential College boarders patting a horse at the WA College of Agriculture Denmark Open Day Boarding supervisor from Albany Residential College talking to a boarder holding a mountainbike One of our Albany Residential College boarders with an inflatable palm tree 

Check out Albany Residential College

Application for enrolment is open

Application for enrolment is open

Find out how to apply to board at Albany Residential College.

Apply now