Beat the Boarders – Bringing the Country to the City
National Boarding Week is our chance to pause and share what boarding life is really like at Santa Maria College, the moments, the memories, and the people who make it so special.
Our boarders don’t just live on campus, they shape the culture of our school. This year, we celebrated their spirit with a week-long, friendly showdown: Beat the Boarders!
From laughter-filled games to special events that honoured their rural roots, the week brought our community together in the best way.
A Week of Sport & School Spirit
Each day at lunch, a new year group took the stage for some classic boarders-versus-day-girls competition. The scoreboard? Important (let’s be honest). But the true victory was the energy, camaraderie, and pride on full display.
- Year 7 launched the week with Capture the Flag – and the boarders opened strong with a win!
- Year 8 brought their best to the soccer pitch, and it was a great match that ended in favour of the day girls.
- Year 9 brought the heat on the basketball court – another win for the day students.
- Year 10 showed off their skills in a fast and furious netball match.
- Year 11 had perhaps the most chaotic event – dodgeball. It was a close game, but the day girls took the win.
- Year 12 wrapped it up with a spirited game of volleyball and plenty of crowd support.
The games weren’t just sport; they were moments of confidence, connection, and a little healthy rivalry.
Addison, Head Boarder shared, “I felt like the atmosphere was very special throughout the week. Our boarding community became even closer, supporting, helping and cheering each other on.”
Behind the Scenes of Boarding Life
Throughout the week, students and staff had the chance to step inside the Boarding House and see what life is really like for our boarders. Many visitors were surprised to discover not just bedrooms and study spaces, but a warm, welcoming environment thoughtfully designed to foster connection, comfort and community. It’s a home away from home – with a whole lot of heart.
Then on Friday, we tipped our hat to our boarders’ country roots with a sheep shearing demonstration on the oval. Students gathered in amazement to watch it live, a truly memorable moment that brought rural life right into the heart of Attadale.
Why Boarding Matters
Boarders play a big role in the life of Santa Maria. They’re leaders, learners, and loyal friends. They’ve chosen opportunity over comfort, and in return, they grow in independence, self-belief and maturity.
Jane Murray, Director of Boarding, shared, “The highlight for me was seeing every year group give their absolute best in every challenge.
The boarders showed incredible determination from various sports to our fierce face-off with the day girls. Regardless of skill level, they brought effort, teamwork, camaraderie and pure grit to every event. I am incredibly proud of the three wins they earned.
Even though the overall result was a draw, boarders make up just 10% of our student population, so this outcome is statistically remarkable. It’s a shining example of the spirit and strength boarders bring to our community. Go boarders!”
Boarding at Santa Maria is more than just living on campus – it’s a chance to grow in ways that last a lifetime.
A Big Thank You
To our boarders – thank you. Your strength, kindness, and sense of fun add something truly special to our community.
To every student who joined in the ‘Beat the Boarders’ challenge, whether you walked away with a win or just a smile, you made this week one to remember.
Curious about life in the Boarding House?
Come and experience it for yourself. Book a tour, meet our warm and welcoming team, and hear from our boarders about what makes Santa Maria’s boarding community so unique
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Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
