Year 12 Boarders Reflect on Santa Maria College
As our Year 12 boarders prepare to close this chapter and step out into the world, we asked them to reflect on their time in boarding.
From hilarious hallway antics to heartfelt life lessons, their stories capture the spirit of boarding – friendship, resilience, and a whole lot of laughter.
Favourite Memories
Our boarders have created memories that will last a lifetime.
“Late-night chats after hand-in.” Macey
“The conversations in the hallway after school.” Hannah Kate
“Making all new friends and building relationships with the house mothers. I have friends for life.” Amber Grace
“Playing human dominoes with the whole year in Year 7.” Addison
“Spending afternoons with Miss Gamble, going to the beach for fish and chips and playing cards.” Zoe
“Dale’s great sense of humour and making me laugh.” Stephanie
“Hanging out in each other’s rooms in Year 7. Everyone was friends with everyone.” Amelia
“Sliding down the hill in soaped-up garbage bags.” Alivia
“Dinner on the lawn outside the dining hall in summer.” Clancy
“Sleepovers in the rec room with friends.” Hannah
“Slip and sliding down the bathroom floors.” Arabella
“Walking to Point Walter on weekends.” Meg
Advice to My Younger Self
Our Year 12s had plenty of wisdom to share with their younger selves, and future boarders too.
“Don’t stress about it too much, it gets better.” Macey
“It might be scary at first but you’ll love it. Take all the opportunities.” Hannah Kate
“Trust the process, everything works out.” Amber Grace
“Make the most of living away from home.” Addison
“Be patient, hard days pass, but the friendships are worth it.” Zoe
“Enjoy every moment, go to every rec.” Amelia
“Don’t worry, everyone’s in the same boat.” Alivia
“Don’t be afraid to talk to the house mothers.” Meg
“Relax and go with the flow… and get rid of my side part and red hair.” Tanisha
“Have fun in boarding and go on rec.” Clancy
“Don’t take everything too seriously.” Hannah
“Don’t be afraid to try things, they could become great memories.” Sienna
Favourite Boarding Meals
Boarding life is full of laughs, but it’s also full of good food and Dale’s creations were clear favourites.
Chicken parmi, butter chicken, Sunday brunch, lasagne, chips and gravy, roast pork and crackle, Raising Canes chicken, chicken wraps, and of course… ice cream every Saturday!
What Boarding Has Taught Me
More than anything, boarding has shaped these young women into confident, resilient and independent individuals.
“Independence.” Macey
“That doing things for yourself is easier than waiting for others.” Hannah Kate
“Confidence and how to handle things on my own.” Amber Grace
“The value of relationships and how to work through challenges.” Addison
“Resilience, independence and confidence.” Vashti
“How important a routine is, and time management.” Zoe
“Be grateful for what you have at home.” Stephanie
“How to live life by yourself and manage your money.” Amelia
“Adapt to change quickly.” Alivia
“Be independent but know people are there to help.” Emily
“How to live in a community and stick to a schedule.” Arabella
“Patience and how to live without my parents.” Tanisha
What’s Next
With school behind them, our boarders are looking forward to exciting new adventures.
“Work – figuring out what I want to do.” Macey
“Going to uni and camping trips with friends.” Hannah Kate
“Exploring the real world and growing even more.” Amber Grace
“Focusing on my sport.” Addison
“Meeting new people at uni.” Vashti
“Living in Perth, studying something I love and travelling.” Zoe
“Starting uni, saving up and travelling the world.” Stephanie
“Travelling without leave forms!” Amelia
“A gap semester before starting nursing.” Alivia
“Working as a flight attendant.” Emily
“Studying at uni and finding a job in Perth.” Gabrielle
“Time off and travelling.” Meg
“Doing things my own way.” Tanisha
“Studying the degree of my choice and living by myself.” Clancy
“Living independently and hopefully travelling.” Hannah
“Not having to go to school for hours and living independently.” Sienna
Farewell from All of Us
To our Year 12 boarders, thank you for the joy, laughter and energy you have brought to our Santa Maria and boarding. We are so proud of everything you have achieved and can’t wait to see where life takes you next.
Once a boarder, always part of the Santa Maria College family.
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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.
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