Boarding schools September for international pupils

[toughgetsgoing]

DD is currently at boarding school and we live in Hong Kong. It is very very difficult for her to come back if schools close - what's the likelihood of this come Winter and flu season? As we are on employment passes so she isn't a PR here.
What would you do? Is it worth sending her back and having her stranded out there potentially or better to start her at a new school in Hong Kong due to the risk - say if she gets Coronavirus and her guardian can't take her or where her guardian lives goes under lockdown? It's also very hard for either of us to go to her because we will be stuck unable to come back for the foreseeable future. She is starting sixth form so we are unsure because this is likely to drag on until next Winter and beyond? She's settled in school there and the schools are better, we also think preparation for uni is better as she wants to do a competitive course.
What does everyone think? Is it best to just forget going back and start her off here in September? Or send her or should we wait until November to see how the situation is - frankly I'm not hopeful?

Thanks in advanced.

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What does your DD say/think/feel about it all?

What does her housemistress say when you put these scenarios to her? I imagine most board schools have plans for exactly these situations unfurling.

Do you have any relatives/close friends who would step up for DD if necessary?

I think this is a decision you need to take as a family. Remember there is no right or wrong one - just one you all feel is the best in the circumstances now.

Thanks Cat,
She wants to go back but we're all a bit worried to be honest I suppose in the worst case I'd just have to go over there.
The school can't promise anything because it's government guidelines and they'll have to get everyone out if there is an outbreak they don't have a choice it's not their fault.
They aren't telling us much just that they'll open over half term for overseas pupils but not the Christmas stretch. Last time they said they'd stay open even in a national crisis but that obviously didn't happen so we can't put too much to their words really.

I would send her back. Between her guardian and school, she won't be homeless.

I believe if there's a second lockdown, stranded international students will be able to stay at school, similar to what they're doing now and offering quarantine for those who are unable to quarantine elsewhere

I can understand your worry as we're in a similar position though not as far away as HK!

No one knows what the chances are. My guess (and it is just a guess) is that she is not going to be left stranded - a place will be made for her at school or if not she would be able to go to her guardian, lockdown or not.

My worry would be if she developed "long covid". Of course the chances are she won't. But one of my son's teenage friends has been bedridden for several months with exhaustion & fatigue following a covid infection. It might be very difficult for someone who's in that position to fly. It depends not only on how likely you judge that there will be another lockdown, but also what your options are in a worst case scenario. Could one of you fly over, rent a flat and hole up with her if you absolutely had to?

Our school kept their (very small) boarding houses open because they have armed forces children whose parents are posted abroad.

Would your school do the same, even if the main school closed?

Just make sure her guardian is some suitable - if she gets covid her will have to go that day to her guardian so not good having for instance a granny who then says she can't have someone with covid in the house

DS1's school is very clear that everyone needs a guardian who can instantly remove anyone who tests positive

Thanks everyone. The school has said they'll keep a boarding house open but we aren't too convinced when last time they said they would 2 days before and then just didn't.
I suppose in the worst case I'd just have to go over.
Still thinking this through, not sure what to do.

I just wanted to say that I feel for you being in this position. We are in HK too and have friends who are sending their children back to boarding school. They are very worried about when they will see them again due to the quarantine situation here and I still remember the mad scramble to get them back on flights when the lockdown was just starting. I hope you manage to come to a decision. It's so hard.

@toughgetsgoing We are in a similar position although DD is just moving to boarding school in the U.K. after being at school locally where we live in Asia. I am currently in the U.K. and at the moment can't return to my husband because boarders are closed. For now at least I will stay in the U.K.

DS has finished school this year and like your experience there were plans in place to keep boarding houses open over Easter which then got changed at very short notice when schools had to close.

DD's new school have made building adjustments to the boarding houses and medical centre over the summer in order to be better prepared for isolation of pupils if required. The biggest issue back in March was that if anyone in a household had symptoms the whole household had to self isolate for 14 days. This was obviously unsustainable within a boarding house and I had hoped the ramped up testing process would mean that was no longer the case but I think it still is to a degree which could be a problem.

Is the nominated Guardian someone DD could stay with for a long period of time if required? Given that no one would have predicted the events of the last 5 months a year ago I don't think there is such a thing as being over prepared for all possible eventualities. I found February incredibly stressful being in a different country to DS and trying to plan for every eventuality.

*borders are closed, not boarders