A home away from home
THE boarding house at St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School continues to provide an excellent and unique experience for the 190 girls who call Anne Symington House their home during school term.
Living and learning together creates a rich and supportive experience for boarders and the modern boarding house, which is located in the centre of the 40- acre ( 16.2ha) campus, encompasses all their needs in a single building.
The girls also benefit from access to the beautifully landscaped school grounds, a 50- metre heated pool, gymnasium, exercise room, tennis courts, dance studio and music rooms.
Family- based values are at the core of all that are provided and the Head of Boarding lives on campus with her family to ensure consistency of care for the girls. She is assisted by well- trained boarding staff who are kind, nurturing, understanding and respectful of the girls in their care and have many years of experience, specifically in working with adolescent girls.
To support the girls academically, an extensive prep programme is offered, where individual and group tutoring is provided to support the different learning styles and needs of the girls.
A Boarding Academic Support teacher works alongside the girls to assist boarders to reach their full potential. The programme includes opportunities for tutoring by qualified teachers, past scholars, the teaching of study skills and collaborative learning experiences.
During weekends, the girls are encouraged to take part in a wide range of sports and recreational activities, as well as baking or sewing in the new state- of- the art boarders’ activity room. Each term boarder also takes part in a number of community events, such as movie nights and quiz nights.
Nutritious and tasty meals are served in the newly refurbished dining room and St Mary’s chefs ensure a balanced, home- style menu is provided throughout the term. Special diets can easily be catered for and the head chef meets with the girls regularly to allow them to have their input in the termly menu planners.
A medical centre at the boarding house provides 24- hour medical care for the girls. A night nurse is on duty every night supported by two full- time nurses and a doctor who visits weekly. The medical centre also provides physiotherapy and remedial massage on a weekly basis.
The boarders at St Mary’s form lifelong friendships that give them support and “sistership” throughout their school years and beyond. The wide range of experiences helps ensure St Mary’s boarders leave as well- rounded contributors to society. It truly is a “home away from home”.
To gain an insight into the St Mary’s boarding experience, you and your daughter are encouraged to meet principal Lynne Thomson, and head of boarding Tina Campbell, and find out more about the many exciting opportunities at one of Western Australia’s finest independent girls’ schools.
To make an appointment on Aug 23, contact the local representative, Matthew Gan, of ET Education Services at 03- 7932 4788 or 012- 218 6591.