Hawkes Boarding

Boarding students have access to exceptional recreational facilities within the School and beyond, including access to ovals, the School’s gymnasium, indoor swimming pool, cricket nets and a purpose-built 2 km intermediate mountain bike track.

Within each boarding house there is a relaxed and comfortable lounge area, dedicated study spaces, and a student kitchen as well as a medical centre on site. There are also welcoming dining facilities where healthy meal options are available.

We support a balanced approach to study and recreation by offering weekend activities that take advantage of the stunning Tasmanian countryside, including mountain bike riding, trail walks and berry picking as well as city trips to local markets, parks, theatre, movies and specialised shopping.

The boarding houses are located on the Senior Campus, with transport to the Junior Campus provided to boarders in Grades 5 and 6.

The majority of Launceston Grammar boarding students come from regional and rural Tasmania.

Our international boarding students come from a wide range of locations across the globe, from Singapore to Malaysia, Indonesia to Hong Kong and China.

The range of students enables friendships and connections between students from different cultures and countries.

Yes, we offer Regional Boarding Scholarships to applicants entering Grades 5 to 12 and boarding on a full-time basis. The scholarship carries a rebate of up to 50% on boarding fees, as determined by the Principal.

Scholarships are available to students whose family resides in regional areas of Tasmania including Northern Midlands, East Coast, Northwest Coast, West Coast, Flinders Island, King Island and Southern Tasmania.

Read more about scholarships here.

In each dedicated male and female boarding house, junior students share a room between two to four students, while boarders in Grades 10-12 typically have their own room.

All our boarders return home for the mid-year break and summer holidays. During the other school holidays, there is an option to partner with other boarding schools in Hobart to share boarding accommodation. This option carries an additional fee.

Our Head Chef and kitchen staff provide a healthy, balanced diet for boarders to enjoy and work tirelessly to ensure particular needs and dietary requirements are met.

Hot items and cereals are provided for breakfast. Morning tea and lunch are eaten outside in the landscaped grounds after collecting from the dining hall and afternoon tea is served in the dining room. Morning tea and lunch are delivered to our Junior Campus boarders each day.

Dinner always includes a range of salads and multiple hot options, catering to all dietary requirements. Once per term, Hawkes Boarding hosts a fun, themed dinner where the boarding family celebrates the sense of community well-known at the School.

We are a nut aware school, with no nuts used for cooking in the boarding kitchen. Students with allergies are appropriately accommodated and we can easily cater for a wide range of tastes.

Homesickness is a very common and normal experience at the start of your child’s boarding journey. We have a number of orientation programs designed to help ease the transition into boarding life. We run Experience Launceston Grammar nights where students stay a night and then have a day at school to familiarise themselves with our boarding and school life.

We acknowledge that settling into boarding routines is complex and that it can take individuals different lengths of time. We support students on their own journey so that they see boarding as a positive aspect in their life. Our staff and older students are also here to help your child settle in.

One thing we can assure you of, is that almost all of our students outgrow this homesickness stage and often can’t wait to return to boarding life after school holiday periods. Our graduating Grade 12 students are often sad to be leaving.

Parents are always welcome, and we invite you to join us for dinner any time you are in town.

The boarding house regularly organises functions and events for boarding parents, including the welcome barbecue at the start of the year. We see the boarding journey as one that includes the whole family and parents are a key element of boarding house life. The essence of family remains vital to the boarding experience.

Staff are always present and have 24-hour access to medical care for boarders. A Registered Nurse operates the health centre during school hours and all boarding staff are trained in first aid.

Prep time (or study time) is held Monday - Thursday from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, depending on school level, and is intended to provide the opportunity for homework to be done as well as additional background reading, revision, and study for tests and exams. Our staff are available to assist and support students. Students are also advised which teachers are available in the Learning Hub each afternoon for support. Some specialist teachers visit and support boarders at busier times in the calendar.