As our first students, our boarders sit at the heart of our school community, and we embrace every opportunity to place them front and centre. Each year, National Boarding Week provides a special chance to do exactly that, celebrating the unique spirit of our boarding community.

For best friends Emily P (Year 12) and Ismene H (Year 11), it is one of the highlights of the school year, a time when the entire school comes together to recognise the community they feel so lucky to be part of. “It’s really nice to celebrate all of us girls from different places, and also us as a community,” Emily shared. Ismene agreed, adding that “as we’re such an integral part of the school, it’s so special to have a whole week dedicated to celebrating that.”

We are genuinely one big family. We are so close to each other that we’re like sisters. It is amazing to have that support network here at school.

Emily P (Year 12)

The week began with a bake sale, where boarders worked together to prepare food and raise funds for charity. For Ismene, this was a standout moment of the week, not just for the cause, but for the collaboration it involved. “It was really nice to have everyone working so hard together to raise funds for our charity,” she said.

One of Emily’s favourite events was the inaugural Boarders Cup, held on Wednesday evening. Working in teams, students took part in a series of challenges, from relays to song contests, designed to encourage teamwork and creativity. “It was really fun to see all the girls come out of their shells and just be silly,” she said.

The girls also spoke together at our National Boarding Week Assembly on Tuesday, where we welcomed back former boarder Hally Baker (STC2020), who spoke warmly about her time in the Boarding House. Describing her experience as “hectic, busy and lovely,” Hally reflected on how boarding at St Cath’s helped to shape her into the person she is today. Now studying medicine, she credited boarding with teaching her independence and helping her build meaningful connections with a wide range of people, many of whom remain among her closest friends.

That sense of lifelong connection remains central to the boarding experience today. As Emily explained, “We are genuinely one big family. We are so close to each other that we’re like sisters. It is amazing to have that support network here at school.”