Get to know our 2024 Boarding Co-Captains.

Jiarun (Karen) Ai, 2024 Boarding Co-Captain

How long have you been a boarder at St Catherine’s?   

I’ve been boarding since Year 7, so five years.  

What do you enjoy most about the boarding experience at St Catherine’s?   

Definitely the close friendships you make in the Boarding House! I have made some of the most amazing and supportive friends during my time boarding.   

What have been your highlights so far during your time at St Catherine’s?   

It was in the Boarding House during 2021, when I was in a room with two other girls. We developed a really close friendship, so coming back to the Boarding House everyday after school and getting to spend time with them in our room was my highlight.   

Would you recommend boarding to other students?   

Yes! I think boarding can really bring you out of your own shell in a lot of ways. I believe that boarding widens your perspective on the world, and makes you more open minded.    

What do you believe are the benefits you gain from a St Catherine’s education?  

Because St Catherine’s is a small school, the classes are smaller, and I think that allows for more caring and detailed help from our teachers. Also, the teachers are all so passionate and helpful about their subjects, allowing me to have the confidence to ask questions and seek support.   

What co-curricular activities are you involved in at St Catherine’s?   

I’m involved in School Debating and the student newsletter, Stentorian.   

What are the benefits of participating in co-curricular programs at school?  

It helps to take your mind off studying and enriches your school life.   

In what ways has the Boarding House and staff supported you?   

They have helped me by always being there and for helping whenever I need.   

In what ways do your teachers support you during your time at School?   

They are always willing to spare time to help you, whether that be after school, during their lunch and recess or even organising special clubs like ‘Maths Help,’ for students. This didn’t even change during online school. I’m very grateful that our teachers do this for us.  

What do you plan to do following Year 12?   

For now, I’m considering a Bachelor of Science at Melbourne University. I’m not too sure what major yet.    

How has St Catherine’s assisted you in making decisions about your future?   

St Catherine’s provides a lot of opportunities to broaden your perspectives on possible careers. Such as organising to meet Old Girls, or sessions online with scientists talking about their pathways into their jobs, or inviting guest speakers from all professions.   

How has St Catherine’s Wellbeing Program supported you during your time at School?   

It has allowed me to form a closer connection with my Year level peers and to know I am supported.  

How has boarding assisted you in studying well, becoming more independent, developing friendships, developing empathy for others?   

The study sessions from 6:45pm till 8.00pm in Years 7 to 9 definitely helped with my self-discipline and allowed me to develop good study habits.   

Overall I’d say living away from home allows for a lot of independence as you learn to get along with others sharing a same space and be responsible for your laundry and school work. 

Being in a room with other girls naturally deepened relationships and lets you be friends with people from all over the world, which I think also really deepened my empathy.  

Alexis Chew, Boarding Co-Captain

What do you enjoy most about the boarding experience at St Catherine’s?   

I enjoy being with my friends and having people around to talk to. School can get stressful sometimes, so having a good group of friends to watch movies with, chat about random things with, and even just to have fun with is great.   

What have been your highlights so far during your time at St Catherine’s?   

A highlight would definitely be Music Camp! Staying the night with many other music enthusiasts was so memorable and fun. I got to learn songs, try so many new things like playing the recorder and auditioning for a solo, and have one of the best meals with my friends.   

House Arts was also a highlight. Though I was very nervous to lead during the week, I slowly gained confidence and even became closer to the people in my House. I think my favourite part was hearing the harmonies of the set song come alive and everyone singing in unison, a really special moment for me.   

Would you recommend boarding to other students?   

Yes. Though some of the sacrifices include moving away from family and friends, maybe even going to a foreign country, I think it has helped me learn how to survive on my own.    

What do you believe are the benefits you gain from a St Catherine’s education?   

A really big advantage of the School is the small community. Everyone is really close and connected to one another, which has created a really warm and welcoming environment for me.   

Since the number of students here is small, the classes also feel more personal, as teachers have more time to spend with each student. I really think this has built up my confidence to consult my teachers more and to contribute to class discussions more often.   

What co-curricular activities are you involved in at St Catherine’s?   

Currently I participate in the School’s two choirs Viva Voci and Vox as well as the GSV Sports Program. I love going to choir the most, as I am passionate about singing.    

What are the benefits of participating in co-curricular programs at school?   

Since I joined the School relatively later than most students, it was difficult to make friends at first. The Co-curricular Program allowed me to meet so many new people from various Year levels and broaden my circle of friends. After joining more co-curriculars, I started to feel more connected with the School community.   

In what ways has the Boarding House and staff supported you?   

The staff are people that are easy to talk to! Whether I am having a bad day or an amazing day, they are always interested in knowing about my day. I always feel comfortable to share my achievements or something that I’m stressed out about with them too.    

In what ways do your teachers support you during your time at School?   

The teachers at School are always ready to help! They definitely do their best to support me and other students. I am thankful that they answer my last minute emails, mark practice tests quickly, and are patient with me whenever I ask questions.    

What do you plan to do following Year 12?   

I plan to do a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne and major in Psychology. I am also hoping to continue studying Chinese and not lose touch with the language.   

How has St Catherine’s assisted you in making decisions about your future?   

The Careers Expo that I attended at St Catherine’s was extremely helpful to me as I got to learn more about universities and what they offered. Talking to university representatives also gave me a feel of the culture there too and really made me think of what type of environment I wanted to learn in.   

How has St Catherine’s Wellbeing Program supported you during your time at School?  

The Wellbeing Program has provided me opportunities to reflect upon the method I use to manage my studies. From modules on time management to study techniques, I feel more prepared to take on whatever lies ahead. Furthermore, the reflections done after completing a module have helped me determine what works for me and what doesn’t. Overall, the Wellbeing Program has played a crucial role in shaping my study habits and mindset.   

How has boarding assisted you in studying well, becoming more independent, developing friendships, developing empathy for others?   

The Boarding House really developed my independence. Keeping my room tidy, doing my own laundry, and planning out my weekends were all things I needed to do for myself, and I think it was a good experience for me. Being really close to School, it was easy for me to go back to the Boarding House to study after school. I think my study habits have improved a lot because of this as I feel more motivated to do some work right after school.