Welcome
home
Cathy Kirkman and her team of duty deans are all part of the family at Innes House, Diocesan’s boarding facility, which Cathy has managed for the past five years.
History of Innes House Boarding first started at Diocesan School for Girls in 1903, with dormitories originally located in the main school house, and later expanding to include other buildings. After boarding facilities were closed in 1984, a group was formed to establish a small, independent boarding facility in a Clyde Street villa bought by Dio alumnae Margaret Tapper (Innes) and her mother Doris Innes (Inglis). Innes House opened for boarders at the start of 1988, with an additional two-storey building added four years later. Further expansion over the years increased it to the 57-bed boarding facility it is today. Innes House, which is a quick twominute walk from School, caters to Years 7-13 students and offers daily, weekly, monthly and annual boarding options. The facilities are available 24/7 during term time, and students have the option of staying in over the weekends, depending on their sporting and extracurricular commitments.
A day in the life of a boarder Innes House also offers non-boarding students the chance to experience boarding, with girls encouraged to come and stay for a couple of nights to see if it would suit them and their families. “Boarding appeals to those students who have a lot of sporting and extracurricular activities after school,” Cathy says. “It means they’re not having to travel home after evening practices and events, often for long distances.
“We work hard to create a family-like atmosphere at Innes House,” says Cathy. “Living as a boarder is like being with your siblings, and we want to make it a home away from home.” 26
DIO TODAY
“It provides a more relaxed schedule for both the girls and their parents, and they can get more out of the activities the School has to offer.” Cathy says clearly defined routines are an important part of hostel life, and girls
