Charlotte Rowe, 2023 Boarding Captain

2023 Boarding Captain, Charlotte Rowe

How long have you been a boarder at St Catherine’s? 

Five years. 

What do you enjoy most about the boarding experience at St Catherine’s? 

I enjoy the size of the Boarding House, being relatively smaller than most.  

This makes it easy to form connections with girls of different ages and backgrounds that extend through the Boarding House and at School. That was something I valued most when I was younger – being recognised and acknowledged by the older girls when walking around School. As well as this, I also really enjoy celebrating different traditions and cultures such as Chinese New Year and Thanksgiving. 

What are the biggest challenges you have faced during your time boarding at St Catherine’s? 

Time management! Especially in the last few years, post COVID. It has been easy to get sucked into the social side of boarding life, living with around 40 other girls. You want to make the most of the time spent with the girls since missing a year and a half of forming new connections over the 2020/2021 period. Therefore, I have had to develop my self-discipline, otherwise, it makes it very hard to get anything done! 

What have been your highlights so far during your time at St Catherine’s? 

Central Australia Camp in Year 8. This was during my first year at St Catherine’s and the Camp was pivotal to my transition to the school. Coming from a rural setting myself, I felt comfortable travelling to such a remote region of Australia and sharing that with my Year level. I formed many new friendships as well, both within my camp group and on the bus trips, where we played endless card games and sang karaoke on the longer stretches. It was a shame to miss the Fiji trip the following year, however Central Australia compensated well! 

Would you recommend boarding to other students? 

Yes, I believe I have grown and gained so much independence/resilience, which I know will help me later in life. 

What do you believe are the benefits you gain from a St Catherine’s education? 

Grit and determination. Not only in my learning but also beyond the classroom, through GSV Sport. Last year our Hockey Team won the grand final and the energy we had as a team was unmatched. There was so much support for each other with one common goal. We were fierce in play but respectful in spirit, which I think is a very powerful combination. 

What co-curricular activities are you involved in at St Catherine’s? 

I participate in GSV Sport every term, choir on Wednesday mornings, and Art Club every other Tuesday lunch time. Co-curricular activities are key in my day-to-day life. I have enjoyed meeting new girls/developing my leadership skills as I have gotten older. 

What are the benefits of participating in co-curricular programs at school? 

While co-curricular activities provide the ability to meet new girls from different age groups, and provide a break from studies, we are lucky to have access to so many different co-curriculars. We can explore our interests from Sport to Performing Arts, Debating and Public Speaking, or the wide range of student-led clubs. This is something not to take for granted as it may become more and more challenging to find time to participate in these programs, post-school. 

In what ways has the Boarding House and staff supported you? 

Despite the Boarding house being so close to School, both Mrs Collister and the Boarding House staff have made the House feel like a separation from school life to ‘home life.’ They offer an environment for relaxation and comfort within our busy lives.  

In what ways do your teachers support you during your time at School? 

My teachers are pro-active, willing to always help and take genuine care of our wellbeing while pushing us to do our best, which is so motivating. This was especially evident throughout the COVID lockdowns. They were able to adjust to each situation seamlessly, making our experience much easier despite the level of uncertainty. 

What do you plan to do following Year 12? 

I plan to attend university in Melbourne, studying animal/environmental science or international aid. However, next year I am keen on taking a gap year to explore my horizons, which will hopefully involve some travel both overseas and domestically, as well as gaining new experiences that will relate to the two courses, I am interested in.  

How has St Catherine’s assisted you in making decisions about your future? 

I think listening to a range of university presentations and Old Girls sharing their experiences has been a great help to understand what is out there in terms of university courses and other post-school programs.  

How has St Catherine’s wellbeing program supported you during your time at School? 

It has helped me feel safe and comfortable at School as I know that my concerns will be heard if I’m ever feeling uneasy about a situation. Specifically, through my support network such as my Head of Year, Mrs Morgan, Ms Latimour and Mrs Collister. 

How has boarding assisted you in studying well, becoming more independent, developing friendships, developing empathy for others? 

The structured homework sessions in the earlier years built a habit early on, giving me the discipline, in my independent study, to start work from 7:45 and finish at 8:15. This promoted efficient study, without impeding my sleep, even though it can be inevitable at times!  

Independence comes into play in a Boarding House as you must hold yourself accountable for your responsibilities/commitments. This can become challenging when sharing a room with more than two other girls regarding early morning alarms. There have been multiple occasions where I have had to sneak out as quietly as I can dodging each creak in the floorboards, as well being woken up by someone else’s alarm and having to creep over to their side to let them know that their alarm was going off.  

Some of my best friendships have been formed through the Boarding House. You can get to know a person very quickly when living with them, which is great! I have had role models both younger and older than me, which I am extremely grateful for and have gained/learnt so much from. Being exposed to so many different views on the world, separate from your own/family’s is something that I have learnt to be super valuable as well. 

Phoebe Russell, 2023 Boarding Captain

How long have you been a boarder at St Catherine’s? 

I started boarding at St Catherine’s at the start of Year 10 (2021). I have been boarding since I was 11 years old (2017).  

What do you enjoy most about the boarding experience at St Catherine’s? 

The ability to make friends and keep in touch with so many girls from all different Year levels 

What are the biggest challenges you have faced during your time boarding at St Catherine’s? 

The biggest challenge was the COVID lockdown during 2021. I had to stay in the Boarding House and away from home without seeing any of my family. The Boarding House staff supported me and kept me sane during a stressful period. 

What have been your highlights so far during your time at St Catherine’s? 

One highlight was House Arts last year when, as the Art Captain for my House, I was able to see all the hard work we had put in over the year finally begin to be created. It was stressful, but I loved the chance to lead a group and work so closely with the rest of my peers. 

Would you recommend boarding to others? 

Boarding has allowed me to develop and grow as a person. It also provides a supportive learning environment. I would recommend boarding to both younger and older students. 

What do you believe are the benefits you gain from a St Catherine’s education? 

The continuous support from my subject teachers, and their passion for teaching. Another benefit is the co-curricular activities, such as GSV Sport, Drama and Music. The School creates an environment where all students are welcome and encouraged to try and be involved in new things. 

What co-curricular activities are you involved in at St Catherine’s? 

I am currently involved in GSV Hockey and Soccer. I am also heavily involved in the Drama Program, specifically in the production department. I am also hoping to join the choir during this year. I also attend various club meetings at lunchtimes throughout the week.  

What are the benefits of participating in co-curricular programs at school? 

I have been able to meet many new people from different Year levels, as well as find a passion for activities that I never would have expected if I hadn’t had the chance to try them at St Cath’s.  

In what ways has the Boarding House and staff supported you during your time boarding? 

They have supported me through difficult and stressful times. Particularly during SAC and test weeks, where they have been there to chat with me and rationalise my situation. They are also great to ask advice from, on both schoolwork and just life in general. 

In what ways do your teachers support you during your time at School? 

I have been able to meet with teachers whenever I need it, and they are always happy to answer my questions, and provide advice. They always have questions and practice tests available to make sure that I have a proper understanding of all the content we are studying. 

What do you plan to do following Year 12? 

Currently, I am planning to go to RMIT, to do a Bachelor of Communications, and major in either advertising or journalism. I do also plan on working or learning overseas at some point as well. 

How has St Catherine’s assisted you in making decisions about your future? 

Specifically, the Visual Communication Design subject at St Catherine’s opened my eyes to an entire field of work that I did not know existed. This gave me a chance to pursue an interesting subject that might end up having a large influence in my future working life. 

How has St Catherine’s Wellbeing Program supported you during your time at School? 

The Wellbeing Program at St Catherine’s mostly helped me better develop my studying abilities, as I was able to concentrate and keep calm better when I was studying.  

How has boarding assisted you in studying well, becoming more independent, developing friendships and empathy for others? 

The structure of the Boarding House routine, particularly ‘prep’ each night, provides a quiet and studious environment that allows all students to develop good study habits and have support from their peers and the boarding staff.  

The main way boarding taught me to be independent was through organising my own travel and journeys to sport and other outside of school activities. It also made me develop an organised schedule that best suits me.  

I have been able to develop closer friendships with the girls in my own Year level, while making new friendships with girls from all different Year levels from living in the Boarding House. Living in such a close environment with other people, you become much closer to each other, and in turn learn to be more aware of the people around you, as well as being more empathetic to how other people are feeling.