Testimonials
Boarders Voices
Boarder Voices
My boarding buddy was brilliant – she wrote to me before I arrived and told me about sports activities with the Gappies, the Nurses who help if you are poorly, how many girls are in a dorm and how they store tuck/snacks. She’s been there for me ever since. U3, Europe
I love boarding because of the huge sense of a big happy family, it is always great to have all your friends around you, who you consider your family. Amelie, L5, London
Boarding is like a great big Sisterhood. Icy, L6, Hong Kong
The flexibility of weekly boarding – I can go home on Friday or choose to stay in school for a Saturday morning match or weekend activities. U4, Europe
The boarding housemistresses and boarding staff all work very hard organising weekend trips for us. You can widen your horizons and have a taste of all kinds of exciting activities, e.g. beach trips, go-karting, Winter Wonderland, London shopping trips and theatre performances. U3, Lagos
I enjoy boarding as it allows me more time to train and fit in homework around a busy schedule. We are given more freedom which allows us to have more control of our timetable and to manage our time how we wish. L5, China
We learn to be more considerate because we are living in a community and everyone is always thinking of others, making boarding a happy place to live in, just like a family. L6, Surrey
Parent Voices
All of the staff I have dealt with at St Catherine’s have been kind and supportive. I have most contact with my daughter’s Boarding Housemistress and I have found he to be fair, kind and firm. When I have raised any queries or concerns, I have found her eager to find the answer and provide support. She acts as a far-away mother figure and is polite band supportive words every girl in the Boarding House. Mrs C
I receive a weekly e-newsletter from Mrs Harrison updating me on Bronte’s activities – this is invaluable as my daughter is having far too much fun to ever phone me and share what she has been up to! Mrs W
We would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude towards St Catherine’s for providing such invaluable, rewarding and unforgettable opportunity and experience to our two girls as full boarders. We are so pleased about their good academic results as well as them both being very proactive in pursuing their interests in gymnastics and dance. Mr and Mrs M
I think it speaks to the high quality of care provided by the school and our daughter's increased maturity that she has taken this decision to board, especially whilst looking ahead to Sixth Form. Mr & Mrs Z
I’d encourage you to consider St Catherine’s boarding. The school is incredibly caring and the staff know the girls really well, so I know she is well looked after and has a shorter day than she would if she had to travel in each day. She is now more organised and independent, and her confidence has increased. Her day girl friends can visit the boarding house so she is able have a wide group of friends and more of a social life than she would have at home! Mrs A, 2021
Boarding works really well for us as a family. It allows my daughter to do all the activities she wants to without us having to juggle diaries to ensure she can make the most of opportunities. It has meant I can be far more flexible in my working hours, which as someone who is self-employed is incredibly helpful. It has made life less stressful, as we can manage work commitments and then have quality family life at the weekend, knowing the homework (and laundry!) is taken care of. Mrs T, 2021
Alumnae Voices
Fran Garvey
UK
(Class of 2012)
The St Cat’s boarding community became a second family to me in the years my own family were overseas. I will always keep fond memories of my time there, and of the friends I made who are as close as sisters to me even now as an adult.
Then
Fran studied Economics, Physics, French and Spanish for her A’ Levels. She was House Captain of Musgrave and enjoyed a variety of extra-curricular activities including playing lacrosse, participating in the Debating Society and completing the Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. She went on to study Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Edinburgh, followed by her GDL and LPC legal training.
Now
Fran is now an Associate with the law firm Norton Rose Fulbright based in London working in the Corporate Disputes and Investigations team.
Anna Glagoleva,
Russia
(Class of 2013)
Boarding helped me to adapt faster at my new school, since I had an opportunity to live and spend more time with my classmates. Its friendly ambiance made overseas students like me feel like at home - movie nights, trips during the weekends and just casual evenings in the common room.
Then
Anna took A’ Levels in Business Studies, Maths, Russian and Economics and always had a keen interest in business which led her to involvement as a business mentor during her time in the Sixth Form and she also enjoyed participating in the Young Enterprise Scheme where students are given the opportunity to set up a business and are involved in all aspects of the running of a company.
Anna went on to study Economics and Management with Spanish at the University of Exeter achieving a 2:1 in her degree.
Now
Anna is a Management Consultant for leading international Consultancy business, Accenture.
Charmaine Chan,
Hong Kong
(Class of 2015)
Boarding has taught me how to organise my time well and helped me focus on achieving my goals.
Then
Charmaine took A’ Levels in Maths, Economics, Biology and Chemistry and immersed herself in a variety of extra-curricular activities in addition to her academic studies. Charmaine has always had a love of music and played the piano and violin along with taking on the role of Music Prefect. Charmaine passed the Diploma Level in the violin during her time in the Upper Sixth. She was a maths mentor providing support with any queries and providing extra help with the subject. She was also a House Prefect and also found the time to complete the Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
Now
Charmaine went on to study medicine at the University of Nottingham and she is now a Doctor at Southampton General Hospital.
Remi Looi-Somoye,
UK
(Class of 2013)
Sixth form boarding was living with my best friends, being able to pop next door to get help with my homework, having easy access to early morning and after-school activities, and occassionally sleeping in until the bell for first period.
Then
Remi took A’ Levels in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Religious Studies. She enjoyed participating in music and learned to play the guitar along with developing a keen interest in outdoor pursuits going on to achieve her Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Remi’s interest in science led her to study Natural Sciences at the University of Bath where she achieved a First-Class Honours degree with a placement year at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital working as an International Research Scholar in the Pharmaceutical Sciences department.
Now
Remi is now a PhD student at University College London (UCL) Institute of Child Health working in conjunction with Great Ormond Street Hospital in London researching drug repurposing in leukaemia.