National Boarding Week
A few weeks ago, the Boarders celebrated National Boarding Week. At SCEGGS there are eight boarders and we stay at St Vincent’s College in Potts Point.
Heavenly in Year 10, Naylise and Ebony in Year 9, and Annalise in Year 7, come from Wellington, a town near Dubbo. Tay, Cyndell, Secilia and I are from Sydney. You may have seen us all at the General Office in the morning or next to the school shop in the afternoon to get some afternoon tea. Boarding can sometimes be a challenging experience, living with girls from Years 7-12 everyday can occasionally get frustrating. Many of the Boarders come from all different parts of Australia and some as far as Darwin, which gives all of us the ability to learn about different life experiences and the opportunity to go to places we have never been before. After the past few years having to watch out for COVID in the Boarding House and having certain rules, we are all happy that we can go back to normal somewhat.
For National Boarding Week, we were hoping to have some of our friends stay over in boarding for one night to get the experience that we have, but unfortunately it had to be postponed due to COVID. In the next few weeks, each year will get to have the opportunity to learn more about boarding in year meetings.
Being a Boarder is not something everyone could do, but it is made easier with the help from the boarding co-ordinators including the St Vincent’s College Head of Boarding, Ms O’Donoghue, and our SCEGGS Boarding Co-ordinator Ms Tring. Another person who we could not get anywhere without is our bus driver Zoki. Without him we would not go to our early and late sports commitments, and we are so thankful that he picks us all up whenever he needs to and listens to all the events from the night before and karaoke so early in the morning. We thank all of these people for looking after us and being around us to help all of the Vinnies and SCEGGS boarders together. Their jobs mustn’t be easy, having to deal with teenage girls all the time so they are truly legends for doing so.
Ebony Colliss – Year 9 “Boarding is very enjoyable, a place to meet new people from different places and create new friendships”
Tay Georgetown – Year 11 “I had found boarding very scary at the start but once I had a support system to help me, I found it very fun and found my second home. I like boarding because of all the friendships I have made with everyone in the boarding house but also found my two closest friends who are the sweetest and kindest people you could meet.”
Secilia Mafi – Year 11 “Being a boarder is an incredible journey. Boarding school provides a safe, supportive and caring environment where the students can concentrate on their academics, mature, and prosper. The boarding house offers a welcoming and friendly setting. Being a boarder is enjoyable as it provides so many opportunities and allows you to develop lifelong friends and sisters. At boarding, all the teachers and staff are always looking out for your best interests. As you’ll be away from family at boarding school, you will learn to be ambitious and independent. I’ve really enjoyed boarding for the last 5 years.”
Molly Murray
Year 12 Boarder
