Earlier in the year, a number of our boarding parents and carers came together by the sea to formed new friendships at our annual boarding parents lunch. Although spread near and far, our boarding families are always close to our hearts. We are conscious of the fact that each one of them has chosen to entrust us with their most precious gift: their daughters

Ms Chelsea Slade, our Director of Boarding, shared, “Between our parents, students and staff, anyone who has ever been part of St Cath’s boarding can attest that we are one big family. Our boarding parents lunch was an opportunity for us to acknowledge this incredible trust and bring everyone together to thank them for being part of our community. Although not everyone was able to make the journey to Sydney, we are so grateful to those who could join us.”

As our parents gathered by the beach in Coogee, there was something magical in the air. Some parents, having been part of the boarding community for years, were greeted by familiar faces, while others had joined us just days earlier. But it was immediately obvious that even those meeting for the first time shared a deep bond. Strangers greeted each other like old friends, connected by a deep understanding of the mixed emotions associated with sending a child away from home to attend boarding school.

“It felt like Kindy all over again. She’s my only daughter, my baby,” Tara, whose daughter Dee A (Year 9) began boarding this year, remarked. But she was quick to add that any apprehension has long since disappeared as she witnessed Dee come into her own at boarding school. “She’s really blossomed and come out of her shell. She’s more academically focused and actively exploring what she wants to do in life,” she said.

Fellow parent Jon was quick to echo these sentiments. He has watched his own daughter, Gracie F (Year 7), grow up tremendously since joining St Catherine’s at the beginning of this year. Currently living overseas as expats, Jon explained that sending Gracie back to Australia for school was a tough decision. “The week before she left, I was very emotional. It felt like the end of a phase, the end of her childhood,” he said, noting that it had all been worth it to see Gracie thrive at St Catherine’s. He is so proud of how “much more responsible and mature” she has become.

But even as our boarders grow up, they still have the capacity to surprise their parents, which is exactly what happened partway through the lunch. Arms laden with roses, the girls snuck into the room to greet their shocked parents. Incredibly, no one let it slip that they would be seeing their parents that day, with one girl even setting up a decoy by asking her mum to bring things from home to pass along to the boarding staff at the event.

As the girls presented their thrilled parents with flowers, the room soon filled with hugs, smiles and excited chatter. The warmth of the St Cath’s boarding family was palpable. The family atmosphere continued as everyone gathered around a large table to enjoy a meal together. The lunch was a perfect occasion, and we eagerly anticipate the next opportunity to bring our boarding families together again. We hope to see you all there!