The Boarding Experience

Students “live a bigger boarding life” at our unparalleled boarding school, Tiddeman House, situated on campus in the leafy suburb of Kew – just seven kilometres from the heart of Melbourne. Boarding students come from all around Australia and the world to experience everything MLC has to offer.

From the moment a new boarder arrives at Tiddeman House, she is always supported. The transition to boarding can be daunting, but our experienced and passionate staff are committed to delivering the best boarding experience for girls and young women from Year 7 to Year 12.

From academic support, scheduled Prep time, and subject tutoring, through to extensive wellbeing support through the Boarding House and the College, Tiddeman House is an extraordinary place for boarding students to learn, live and discover their true interests and passions. There’s nothing like boarding at MLC.

Our Boarding House upholds a strong sense of community spirit, making it a warm and friendly place to call home. We provide the perfect balance between flexibility and structure, privacy and connection, resulting in the best boarding experience for students in Melbourne.

Life at Tiddeman House is never boring; MLC Boarders have an array of organised weekend activities to choose from, an annual Boarders’ drama production and special event nights such as our annual Boarders' Birthday Night (a Boarding tradition dating back to 1889!)

Other activities include city excursions, visits to everything from the Zoo to escape rooms, and even a surf weekend in Geelong, a beach visit to Philip Island or a trip to the snow! Our supervised activities offer great camaraderie between all students and build lasting friendships.

Importantly, all students boarding at MLC are placed into one of four 'Tiddeman Houses', with their own dedicated student House Leader. The Houses provide a peer support network where students can learn from one another. Students also sit within their Houses for weekly Family Dinners, which fosters a strong sense of belonging.

Furthermore, through a different Service Learning activity each term, boarders can also engage in social justice and community fundraising activities, which form the basis of being an engaged global citizen.

Weekly Boarding allows students to access the best of Melbourne school opportunities, balanced with their family lifestyle.

Running from Sunday night to Friday afternoon, students boarding weekly at MLC get the best of both worlds, with support during the week to manage homework, study, assessment, and co-curricular activities while spending every weekend and the holidays at home with their family.

Weekly Boarding can benefit many: busy families dealing with co-curricular activities and clashing schedules, those who live on Melbourne’s fringe wanting to avoid daily commutes, or where families are an easy V-Line train trip away from the city.

For those already attending MLC, short stay options are available for two weeks up to one term. This is a flexible option for parents/guardians who may need to take an extended trip away, and ensures their daughter benefits from the community, routine and security of the boarding house during this time.

MLC offers an unparalleled breadth of learning and wellbeing experiences, designed to provide boarding students with world-class opportunities to achieve, explore and develop in both school and life.

Wellbeing

Our culture of community and care includes one-on-one wellbeing support, educators available around the clock, and a dedicated boarding wellbeing program (LACE program) that runs in conjunction with the comprehensive College wellbeing framework supporting all MLC students during the day.

Boarders are supported by our innovative LACE program, which equips them with crucial life skills related to their mental and physical health and wellbeing. LACE stands for Lifeskills, Activities, Community and Engagement and it underpins the holistic and pastoral care of all boarders, encouraging them to grow in confidence and independence and to develop a strong sense of belonging.

LACE invites renowned adolescent psychologists and health and fitness experts to provide workshops to our students throughout the Term and is an extra layer of care on top of the support delivered by our Boarding Staff and the College wellbeing programs, learning support and counselling services.

In Tiddeman House, an exceptional culture of care is proactively cultivated, with supervisors and staff all fully trained in ABSA's Duty of Care, Youth Mental Health First Aid, First Aid Level 2 and Anaphylaxis response.  

Academic Support

Boarding students are well-supported in their studies with dedicated preparation time in our well-resourced library, qualified teachers among our Boarding House staff, and access to external tutors.

To further enhance good study habits, MLC partners with specialist tutors who come in twice a week. They teach boarders revision techniques, essay writing skills, and how to undertake research free from distraction.

Boarders are encouraged to embrace life at MLC in order to enrich their learning, extend their friendships and improve their wellbeing.

MLC offers one of the largest and most varied curricula in Australia, and we enthusiastically encourage our boarders to embrace the diverse range of activities available - with 30 sports and a wide range of orchestras, ensembles, choirs, committees and clubs, there is something for everyone. They are all designed to enrich their learning, extend their friendships, and improve their wellbeing.

Our College facilities include our renowned Music School and Physical Education Centre for lessons and tuition, as well as dedicated Boarding sporting programs.

By living on-campus beside MLC's cutting-edge facilities our  boarding school empowers young women who demonstrate elite ability in sport to pursue their ambitions, increase their training regime and reduce travelling times.