LYNETTE NEW

Why did you become a boarding supervisor and how long have you been one?
I became a housemother because the job sounded interesting, looking  after 38 girls. It was a change from most of my past jobs. My husband and I did a semester with Notre Dame a few years ago, and we enjoyed it. When the opportunity came up, I applied and got the job. I enjoy it, very much. I have been a housemother for six years.

What are some of the biggest challenges of being a boarding supervisor?
The biggest challenge is keeping checks on all the girls, making sure they are safe and happy. I enjoy watching the girls mature into young ladies, and to see them move on in their lives. There are some harder times to deal with (self harming, anxiety, sickness etc), but it is mostly a lot of laughs.

What makes you smile in the boarding house?
Some of the things we hear from the girls when they are talking to each other makes me smile, and conversations we have with them are often something to smile about also.

What is your favourite Movie?
My favourite movie is The Notebook.   
KAREN GOEMAN

Why did you become a boarding supervisor and how long have you been one?
I have been a Boarding Supervisor for almost 11 years and have spent that entire time in Ursula House. I decided I needed a change after many years working in both the State and Catholic Early Education sector and as a kindergarten co-ordinator for the community based kindergarten centres. The opportunity presented itself so I applied for the position.

What is one of your favourite memories from your time at boarding?
I have many favourite memories from my time in boarding so it’s difficult to think of just one. I would have to say that I love it when past boarders come back to visit. In the early years, I had the Year 8s, 9s and 10s, so those girls are now in their early and mid 20s. Just to sit and listen to them reminisce about their time in boarding is always a delight and the hilarious stories of what they got up to and how they tried and sometimes managed to out smart boarding staff, is always entertaining.

What makes the boarding girls special?
Boarding girls are special because they often form unbreakable friendships with fellow boarders and closely connect to boarding staff. The bond boarding students develop by living and learning together lasts a life time, as do the skills they acquire from independent living at such a young age.

What is your Favourite quote?
“Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you’ll look back and realise they were the big things”