Life as a boarder

by Elise Walker Year 8 boarder

My parents decided to send me to Penrhos College when I started Secondary School – so, as soon as Year 7 began, I became a boarder. Penrhos College was the perfect choice for my family.

My dad attended Wesley College when he was young, and that always meant one day my brothers would enrol there too. Penrhos was then an obvious choice, as it was so close by and it was the sister school to Wesley.

Penrhos College is also very close to the house we stay at when we drive into Perth. Another benefit was that I already had many family members and friends already enrolled at Penrhos – who could tell me how much they were enjoying it … just as much as I do now!

When I first started at Penrhos College, I was very lucky to have my childhood best friend come with me, which made the transition a lot easier. At first, I was a little homesick and felt overwhelmed in taking such a big step on from Primary School – but I soon adjusted into a normal life, in our home-away-from-home.

The House Mothers and all the Penrhos staff were so comforting and made me feel so welcome and loved when I first arrived. All the girls are so friendly - we are so lucky to have a community that is always there for you if you need anything. My home is in Newdegate, which is four hours away from Penrhos College, so it is hard for me to get home often. But I do enjoy the long weekends and the holidays, when I have the opportunity to head back and help around the farm.

My grandparents and parents try to visit me on spare weekends when they can, but they have winter sport on at home and both my younger brothers play so they often can’t.

Last year, however, I was very lucky to have my grandparents up to visit me on most weekends - they would come to support my AFL and boarders’ netball.

One of the best parts about being a boarder at Penrhos College is definitely the tight-knit community that we have formed - everyone really is so close. Both the students and parents have a community bond like no other and I’m so lucky to be a part of it.