Meet Our Staff: Lil Barrie, College Nurse

How long have you worked at Santa Maria.

This is my 12th year at Santa Maria as a College nurse.  I work two days per week, on Thursdays and Fridays.

What is your role at the College and what does it entail.

The role is quite varied. I look after the health and wellbeing of students.  That includes:

• Offering assistance for a variety of needs from cuts, sprains, bruises and occasional broken bone
• Dealing with illness of girls presenting at the health centre
• Assisting girls with chronic health issues 
• Managing health issues arising from boarders
• Looking after boarders in sickbay if they are unwell and unable to attend school
• Providing emotional support
• Ensuring medical plans are in place with students with medical conditions
• Attending swimming and sporting events. 
• Attending school camps when required. 

How did you get into Nursing?

I come from a family of nurses.  My mum and my aunt were nurses, so for as long as I can remember, I was going to be a nurse. I also have two sisters who are nurses. 

When I started nursing it was a hospital training program.  It was an adventure moving out of home at 17 and living in the nurses’ quarters. That was a very attractive proposition.  I have no regrets and made lifelong friends from my training days. 

What is the best part of the job?

There are many good aspects to this job.  I love interacting with the girls and seeing them mature into young adults.  I also love working with the staff at Santa Maria.

What do you like doing in your spare time?

I am an avid windsurfer.  In summer I spend most afternoons windsurfing and go on at least one windsurfing holiday a year.  I cycle with a small group twice a week.  I also like bushwalking.  In winter I try to fit in a couple of three to five-day walks on the Bibbulmun Track.  In my spare time I enjoy painting, reading, cooking, photography, and doing cryptic crosswords.