This year has been a rollercoaster, to say the least. After experiencing all that 2020 had to offer in the life of a boarder, we commenced 2021 with the optimism for a ‘normal’ year.

Although we were devastated to lose some of our boarding girls coming into the new year, we were so excited to start the year in each other’s company. However, it was not long before last year’s reality caught up with us again, yet our optimism never faded.

We were thrown back into online learning at Illawarra, but this year we were prepared for whatever obstacles came our way. We quickly re-established our routines to get us through lockdowns in one piece and were so thankful for Mrs Collister and the Boarding staff for their unconditional love and support.

In the last six months, St Catherine’s School has given us the opportunity to showcase Illawarra through the School’s social media platforms. Through this, we were able to highlight our lockdown activities and new traditions including yarning circles, takeaway dinners and movie nights.   

We are extremely grateful to be Illawarra’s 2021 Boarding Co-Captains despite how disruptive this year has been. We look forward to seeing how our home for the past four years will grow and develop as the future Co-captains take the reins and leave their legacy, just as we have done.