Two Nights, Lifelong Lessons – Our Time in Boarding
The boarders at Santa Maria play a massive role in our community and in making the school what it is.
Annika, Head Girl and Scarlett, Deputy Head Girl, decided to spend two nights in boarding recently to understand what boarding life is truly like, and to get to know the boarders on a deeper level!
Below, they reflect on their time in Boarding!
The Idea Behind Our Visit
Over two nights, we didn’t just get a glimpse of life as a boarder, we formed real connections, learned new things, and left inspired by the girls and the strong community they’ve built.
We worked closely with Mrs Murray, Director of Boarding, Head Boarder Addison and Deputy Head Boarder Clancy to make our stay possible.
Experiencing Boarding Life
While we spent much of our time together, we stayed true to the boarding experience by being placed in separate houses, each with girls we hadn’t met before. One of us stayed in Sylvester and the other in Ursula. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warm smiles, fresh flowers, and handy whiteboards with everything we needed to know.
We joined Aquinas College for Chapel and dinner and followed the girls’ lead heading back to our houses. Despite not really knowing any of the boarders, our first night was full of door knocks to say goodnight, questions about how we were finding it all and of course, plenty of laughter.
Moments We’ll Never Forget
Breakfast and afternoon tea quickly became highlights, not just for the amazing food but for the people we shared it with.
On our second night, we joined the Year 7s for a very loud, very messy baking session. We haven’t laughed that much or smiled so hard in ages. But it wasn’t all just fun. We also had some deep and meaningful chats. While swapping stories about our hometowns, school lives and past experiences, we laughed at the funny ones and listened closely to the heartfelt ones that often go untold.
These conversations opened doors to new friendships and helped us understand the girls as people, beyond their lives as boarders.
A Personal Reflection from Annika
I moved to Santa Maria in Year 5 from Pinjarra. As the only country girl at the time, it was a tough move. Many of my childhood experiences and weekend activities were things others couldn’t relate to. Even now, I return to the farm often, so while I’m not a boarder, I found myself deeply connecting with the girls through shared stories, laughs, and memories of home.
I listened to the boarders talk about their lives, but they also listened to me. That mutual openness created something special. We shared things we usually don’t and realised we had more in common than we expected. I’m in awe of the girls, what they go through, what they’ve overcome, and who they are. I loved every moment and can’t wait to keep building on the connections we made.
Scarlett's Takeaway
The girls in boarding are not only kind and welcoming, but also incredibly inspiring. It takes real bravery to leave home at a young age to start something new. Their courage and honesty touched me deeply.
They shared the ups and downs of boarding, and through those conversations, they taught me so much about resilience, independence, and friendship. I’m grateful to the whole boarding community, Mrs Murray, the staff, and especially the girls, for showing me what strength and support look like. The warmth and sense of belonging I felt will stay with me for a long time.
Thank You to Our Boarding Community
We want to thank everyone who made this experience possible.
To the boarding girls, thank you for welcoming us with open hearts. We may never fully understand what life is like day-to-day in boarding, but you showed us a glimpse. You taught us more than we imagined. Your strength, discipline, and resilience left a lasting impression. We are honoured to have heard your stories and to be a part of your world, even for a short time.
To the staff – chefs, cleaners, housemothers – thank you for the care and energy you give. We felt looked after every step of the way. To Mrs Murray, thank you for your warmth and the passion you bring to boarding. It’s clear that your leadership makes boarding such a safe and special place.
We hope to keep working closely with Addison and Clancy and to continue growing the friendships and understanding we started on this visit. Boarding life is something special – and now, we see why.
- BoardingatSantaMaria, BoardingCommunity, BoardingLifeWA, Featured, friendship, GirlsEducation, Resilience, SantaMariaCollege, StudentReflections
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.
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