Meet Our Staff: Lil Barrie, College Nurse
- May 26, 2020

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.
- Featured, Staff profile
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.