Our Boarders

What do you enjoy about Boarding at Westminster? 

In Boarding I enjoy the company of everyone around me. When you leave home, it feels like you are going to be by yourself, but really, you are just moving into a smaller community where everyone is fighting similar battles. I enjoy the opportunities that both Mrs Fiacchi and Mr Junge provide; they allow you to still feel like you are at home, and they love to watch us all grow as individuals. One thing I really enjoy about boarding is being around my mates. We have the ability to hang out with our best friends and live under the same roof for 40 out of the 52 weeks of the year. 

How have you grown as a person through Boarding? 

When you join a boarding community, you never know what to expect. Not only do you move to a new school knowing no one, but also a new home, and so many challenges come with it. You move far away from your family; you go from sleeping next door to your parents to sleeping hundreds of kilometres away from them. The age that majority of Boarders join is between 15 to 18, and in my opinion, this is where you grow from a kid to an adult. You learn to do things by yourself and become an independent individual. This includes doing your own washing, to taking the bins out, and overall, beginning to care for others around you. You learn that you are not going to like everyone, but you do have to respect them. Boarding has really showed me how to be independent and has prepared me for the real world. 

What advice would you give to fellow and future Boarders when battling with homesickness? 

My advice for future and fellow Boarders who battle with homesickness is, everyone does. Don't be scared to reach out to your friends. When you move away, it is normal to be homesick as you don't have home cooking and you are not in your own bed. Yet, the easiest way to try and overcome it is connecting with others. This gives you the ability to discuss how you are felling, and move past the obstacle together. 

What advice would you give to new Boarders?

If I was to give any advice to any student, it would be to have confidence in your ability to do anything you dream of. The first step to success is belief. If you don't believe, you won't succeed. So, when you have the opportunity to show your talents or to have a go at something, take it. The opportunities may never come around again. 

What legacy do you hope to leave as a Boarder of Westminster? 

The legacy that I wish to leave is the encouragement to give everything a go. Sometimes in Boarding, you take things for granted. Most weekends there are about four different excursions planned, and sometimes people don't go to any of them, without realising the amount of enjoyment they can get out of them. So, if I want other Boarders to have learnt anything from me, it would be to throw yourself out there and give everything a go, even if it is new to you. 

What do you enjoy about Boarding at Westminster? 

The thing I love most about Westminster Boarding, is the new connections that I have made with people from across South Australia, as well as other parts of Australia and around the world. I am also grateful for the experiences that Boarding has given me in the last five years, including the opportunity to participate in various sports, as well as having people around me, supporting me with my academic learning. 

How have you grown as a person through Boarding? 

Boarding has really shown me what true independence is. It has taught me how to live away from my parents, learning skills like doing my own washing or catching public transport. Now, I’m even confident going to the airport by myself and know exactly where to go, which is something that not every teenager would know how to do. One of the biggest experiences at Westminster Boarding has been living with girls. I only have two brothers at home, but now I feel as though I have many sisters of all ages in the Boarding House. 

What advice would you give to fellow and future Boarders when battling with homesickness? 

It's okay to be homesick. During Covid times, I couldn’t visit home for six months, and not being able to see my family was really hard. Know that you are not alone, as everyone goes through it at least once or twice. The Boarding community is really supportive, so surround yourself with these great people. Getting out of my room really helped me to get through those tough days. 

What advice would you give to new Boarders?

Take every opportunity that is given to you, because you never know – you might actually find something you love and want to pursue after you finish school. Put yourself out there and connect with others in Boarding as well as day students. Day students are often interested in the Boarding lifestyle and how it differs from theirs, but you will connect in more ways than you may have initially thought. Lastly, if you are feeling down or homesick, talk to your Year 11 and Year 12 girls as they know what you are going through. They will be there to talk, listen, or even just to give you a hug. To this day, I am still friends with the seniors that I had during my years in Boarding. Knowing I can still talk to these girls to this day is something that is very special to me. 

What legacy do you hope to leave as a Boarder of Westminster? 

When times get tough, you will get through it by surrounding yourself with good people in Boarding as they are all in the same boat. Leaving home can be hard, but look at the positives of Boarding School and know that it’s okay to have bad days. Ultimately, I hope my legacy is that without going home or seeing family for six months, you can still push through it by staying positive.  

What do you enjoy about Boarding at Westminster? 

I really enjoy Boarding at Westminster as I get heaps of different opportunities to help me grow as an individual within my school, sport and social life. Through having the change to move to a bigger school, I have had the opportunity to grow my social life and make many new friends. One of the best things about living in Boarding is essentially living with your mates 24/7,and getting to have the balance between living in the country in the holidays, and in the city during School. You get to experience the best of both worlds.  

How have you grown as a person through Boarding? 

Boarding at Westminster has enabled me to grow as an individual and become a more independent, self-disciplined, and motivated student. With gaining such great personal attributes, I have grown my personal and social life within the community, and through all the activities I take part in. I always have an amazing group of friends, peers, teachers, and coaches around me. Living away from home, I’ve been pushed outside of my comfort zone. Instead of always relying on my parents, I have become a more mature, independent person and have had the opportunity to gain many new experiences. Like the 2024 UK Cricket Tour, which would never have been an option if I had stayed at home.  

What advice would you give to fellow and future Boarders when battling with homesickness? 

Try and keep active. When you are alone, by yourself, and not doing anything, are the times you will feel homesick. But if you keep yourself busy with doing homework, football or sport training, going to the gym or going for runs, you won’t have the time to miss home and feel homesick. Along with this, keeping active and focussed keeps your mind away from the things that don’t benefit you – like homesickness. Again, this helps you to grow as an individual, which is on the of the reasons you are at Boarding School.  

What advice would you give to new Boarders?

You are only young and in school once, so make the most of it and try your hardest, whilst pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. When you look back, you won’t remember the times when you were playing games on your phone or sitting in your room by yourself, but the times when you went out and socialised, played sport, or worked hard and did well in your studies. So, put yourself out there, or you will regret it.  

What legacy do you hope to leave as a Boarder of Westminster? 

I hope to leave a legacy as someone who is always self-disciplined, hardworking, and always striving to be the best version of myself that I can be within my studies, sports and social life. Showing people that there is always room for improvement; that there will always be a new goal in front of you to continue challenging and pushing yourself. Never cut yourself short with the easier subject because you won’t need it within the pathway you want to follow, but challenge yourself to show your full potential even though you might not necessarily need that subject.  

What do you enjoy about Boarding at Westminster? 

What I love most about Boarding at Westminster is the way our Boarding House operates and the routine we all follow. I appreciate how easily accessible the facilities are, like the pool on weekends, the ovals right outside, and the basketball, tennis, and netball courts just a short walk away. This routine perfectly balances my life, with just the right amount of study time, social time, and outdoor activities. Boarding at Westminster feels like being part of one big family. We can all chat with anyone, regardless of age, background, or gender. The acceptance and support among all the Boarders creates a safe and positive community where I always feel comfortable.

How have you grown as a person through Boarding? 

I have grown so much as a person from my Boarding experience at Westminster. Specifically, I have developed my communication skills, which have allowed me to form connections with all different people I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet if it weren't for Boarding. I have also grown so independent in living away from home in my unit by simply doing my dishes once I have used them, doing my own laundry, and generally cleaning up after myself. Living away from home has also allowed me to take on so many new challenges like a higher standard of sport and more in-depth learning opportunities.

What advice would you give to fellow and future Boarders when battling with homesickness? 

Some advice I’d give future and fellow Boarders to deal with homesickness, is to just take a deep breath and relax. Nothing will get better by stressing about it. Something I found that helped me was just talking to someone, whether it was my friends or a staff member. Talking about home can make you feel better. There is also a great community around you that is always supporting you and making you feel safe and at home in the Boarding House.

What advice would you give to new Boarders?

My advice for new Boarders coming into Westminster would be to make connections with everyone, whether it be staff or students, and step outside of your comfort zone. Try things you never thought you would,  whether it is studying Drama, learning an instrument, or even just trying a sport you’ve never played before. Another piece of advice is to take some time every once in a while to just enjoy where you are and who you’re with. Your Boarding experience goes so fast, so don't forget to cherish the little moments, including being able to be surrounded by the people you love constantly.

What legacy do you hope to leave as a Boarder of Westminster? 

The legacy I hope to leave for future Westminster Boarders is to appreciate the incredible opportunities they've been given and to make the most of everything here. Whether it's the tutors available during study, the unique access to new places, the top-notch education facilities and diverse lesson choices, the wide range of friends to make, or the excellent training facilities and coaches for sports. I want future Boarders to embrace it all and make the most of every moment.

What do you enjoy about Boarding at Westminster? 

I really enjoy the sense of community around the Boarding house. Even though there are over 160 Boarders, everyone feels like one big family. We all come from similar backgrounds and communities and I love how we can all learn each other stories. As a Boarder, the NUMBER of opportunities you are provided is astounding. Since coming to Westminster, I have had the chance to do so many new and exciting things which I never thought I'd be doing.

How have you grown as a person through Boarding? 

Since boarding at Westminster, I've become much more independent and feel ready to take on life beyond the School gates. In the short three years that I've spent as a Westminster Boarder, I have developed so many new skills which will follow me for life. If Year 10 me could see what I was achieving today, she wouldnt believe you.

What advice would you give to fellow and future Boarders when battling with homesickness? 

When battling homesickness, I think it's really important to take advantage of what's around you. As a Boarder, you automatically have so many connections with friends, staff and teachers, and really, they become your second family. It's important to stay connected to your home life, but I think it is also really beneficial to focus on this amazing opportunity you've been provided. It's also important to know that some days will be tougher than others but you'll get through it!

What advice would you give to new Boarders?

My advice to new Boarders would be to challenge yourself because that's where you truly grow. Westminster provides so many new and amazing opportunities that may seem a bit daunting at first, but there's nothing to be afraid of. As a boarder, we are so fortunate to have such a large community to lean on if you ever need help or someone to talk to. give everything a go and step outside of your comfort zone. That's where you'll meet some amazing peope who will become your lifeline friends.

What legacy do you hope to leave as a Boarder of Westminster? 

I hope that when I leave, the Westminster culture still continues to grow and give country kids a whole range of new opportunities and experiences. The School already has such an amazing culture and community which I am proud to be a part of. I really value the opportunities that Westminster has provided me and my fellow Boarders and hope that future students will feel the same way.