Meet our Boarding Captains
Tessa Dann and Da Hyeon Lee, Boarding Captains for 2009
With parents living overseas, Tessa Dann (pictured at left in photo) and Da Hyeon Lee (pictured right) have embraced Boarding life at St Catherine's. We spoke to them about living in the Boarding House and what it is really like to live so close to School!
How long have you been a St Catherine's boarder?
Tessa: I have been a boarder since Year 5, so I have been around for a while! My parents are living in Singapore at the moment.
Da Hyeon: I grew up in South Korea and all my family lives there. I moved to Melbourne to start as a boarder in Year 9.
What is it like to live next door to your school?
Tessa: It's really great. Because we are so close to the School, teachers are always coming to visit the Boarding House and offering us support and guidance with our homework and study.
Da Hyeon: It is a lot of fun because you make some really close friends from all different year levels. I also participate in many afterschool activities such as soccer and music so it is great being right next door to School.
Do you miss home?
Tessa: Yes sometimes, but we have access to wireless internet at the Boarding House and we have telephones in all the corridors so I'm always in contact with my parents via email or phone. Year 12 boarders have their own rooms and we can put pictures up and set the room up the way we like, so the Boarding House really feels like a home away from home.
Da Hyeon: I do not have any family in Australia so I do miss home - the Boarding House feels like one big family though. Everyone knows one another and we take care of each other and I feel very supported. International students get to go home once or twice a year and on school holidays we can go to homestays with St Catherine's families.
What kind of social activities do you get up to?
Tessa: Well, we have the annual Closed Weekend, which is when all the new and old boarders stay in the house and participate in different activities and competitions. This year we went to Luna Park! It is a great way to ensure all the new boarders feel welcome. We also have socials with the local boys' schools and this year we are hoping to spend some more time in the city, showing the international boarders some of the sights of Melbourne.
Da Hyeon: Week to week we have a lot of spare time; some of the girls have part time jobs. Many of the girls also go on runs together or go to the gym locally. We watch TV and listen to music.