A day in the life of a Senior boarder

Journey is a boarder from North Canterbury. She chose to come to St Margaret’s College for its small class sizes. This year she is studying the Senior School Foundation Diploma.

7:00am

Rise and shine

I start my day with breakfast in the dining room with my friends, then go back to the boarding house for my school bag. I moved into boarding this year and it’s been really easy to get to know the other boarders and the staff. Everyone has been welcoming.

8:25am

Tutor time

We see our tutor groups every day. My tutor group really helped me to settle in when I joined SMC and to get to know lots of girls across the school. Having a tutor also makes you feel secure, you can talk to them about anything and everything, and they help you stay organised.

8:30am

Classes

In Year 11 we study the Senior School Foundation Diploma. We choose six subjects, and English, Maths and at least one science are compulsory. I enjoy geography, and learning about weather patterns and climate. I’d like to be a marine biologist and study the impact of climate change on the ocean, as I’ve already seen changes at my local beach.

12:40pm

Lunch

There is always something different to do at lunch time. I really like it that we don’t have our phones during the day so that we talk to one another. We might play rugby, or go to a core’n’more class. The food at the cafeteria is good. I’m mindful of nutrition and having the right fuel for all the sport I do, and I enjoy the variety on offer.

1:50pm

More Classes

I love the small class sizes at SMC, and that my classmates want to do well, and I’m so pleased I moved schools to be here. The Rite Journey programme in Year 10, a life-skills programme which helps us to become young adults, made the switch really easy, and helped me to find my people.

3:30pm

Pool

I’m training for a duathlon so it’s great to live on campus and go straight to the pool to train. I love the ocean and I just got my PADI certificate, and now I am working towards my bronze surf life saving. I then head back to the boarding house and catch up with my friends and the boarding staff before dinner.

6:45pm

Prep

We do our prep in the cafeteria after dinner, and a prep tutor is on hand if we have questions. Then we have free time before we hand in our tech at 9.30pm and start winding down. I really like the routine of boarding and that there are so many options available to us.