Meet the students
Name: Phillip
Home Community: Doon Doon, Western Australia
Go Away School: Peninsula Grammar
Year commenced: 2016
How has your life changed since attending your Go Away School?
I came from a community of 40 people to a school of 1400 students. I now have lots of friends, things to do and new experiences. This has made me more independent, doing things myself and making my own choices. There is always something to do and lots of people to do them with.
What have been some of the highlights of your time at the school?
Meeting people, going places and always learning more. I have seen some amazing places, met great people and have been a part of different families. I can now see what great opportunities there are out there for me. There is so much to choose from.
What has been the most challenging factor?
Being away from home is hard at times but l go home at the end of every term and at the end of the year. I’m always ready to come back to school. You get used to it. I can do so much more now.
How hard do you have to study?
I study every night and try as much as possible to stay on top of all my work. There is always a lot of help available if l need it.
Have you made friends?
I’ve made lots of friends. I have good friends that l hang out with on the weekend as well as after school. I spend time at their houses and have been away on holidays with them.
What would you say to anyone thinking about applying for a WEST scholarship?
Do it. Don’t be scared. Give it a go. It is a really good experience, very enjoyable and fun. It will give you lots of opportunities and lots of choices.
Name: Stevon
Home Community: Looma
Go Away School: Peninsula Grammar
Year commenced: 2017
How has your life changed since attending your Go Away School?
Since attending Peninsula Grammar I’ve been exposed to more opportunities here than what I would’ve gotten back home, as I live remote Western Australia. For one, I’ve been given the opportunity to travel abroad and meet new people as well as being exposed to a new culture other than my own. I’ve also become more independent with living away from home and making decisions for myself. I have been involved in different sports within the school and outside which helped me make new friends and helped me with my communication and teamwork skills. While attending a private boarding school in another state, I’ve been exposed to new subjects at school, some of which I have never studied before at my previous school as it had about 120 students ranging from Kindergarten to year 10 with 6 classrooms to cater for them all. While living on campus at the Heather Reilly Boarding House I’ve been given the experience to live with girls from different countries with different cultures.
What have been some of the highlights of your time at the school?
Some of my highlights while attending Peninsula has been making new friends whom of which are like my sisters, as well as travelling overseas to Thailand to do some community service work in a refugee camp. My other highlights while at school has been helping out at the Sudanese Homework Club in Frankston, going on camps, playing sports on Saturdays and Sundays (Netball, Basketball, Volleyball & Football), getting sports awards for Volleyball and Football, hanging out with my friends on the weekends, going to Phillip Island and skiing at Mount Buller but my overall highlight was winning the 2018 Under 16 Frankston District Junior Football League Grand Final alongside my teammates and getting acknowledged that I was best on ground.
What has been the most challenging factor?
One of the most challenging factors for me while attending boarding school would’ve probably been making the decision to leave my family behind in Australia for 10 days and live in remote Northern Thailand as this has been my first time travelling overseas, but I ended up overcoming this challenge with the help of my family and friends who supported me the whole way through.
How hard do you have to study?
I am generally a hard worker when I put my mind to something, because I believe you must study hard in order to do well in your subjects. The time I study the hardest are before tests and exams.
Have you made friends?
I’ve made a lot of friends while at Peninsula and playing sports outside of school. There are a lot of people to meet and it is easy to make friends.
What would you say to anyone thinking about applying for a WEST scholarship?
I would recommend that if you get the chance to apply for it, you go for it and give your all, as you may never get an opportunity like this again. By applying for the WEST scholarship, you will get a better education which will then benefit you with a brighter future so grab it with two hands and run with it.
Name: Caine
Home Community: Darwin
Go Away School: Peninsula Grammar
Year commenced: 2016
How has your life changed since attending your Go Away School?
My life has changed a lot. I’ve been able to do and learn things that l never would have before. If l stayed in Darwin l would have a completely different mental state. I’ve been able to go places and learn new things.
What have been some of the highlights of your time at the school?
Each year there have been highlights like camps, excursions, meeting new people and having different challenges. Year 9 City experience was great. This year l have started a School Based Apprenticeship with the Victorian Police Force. It is different to anything l’ve ever done before and it can lead to a career in law enforcement.
What has been the most challenging factor?
Leaving home and getting used to so many new things. I was scared l wouldn’t be able to keep up with everything, but l did. Everything that was a challenge (I’ve had) help with.
How hard do you have to study?
Sometimes l have to study hard, mainly for Maths and Science. Mostly l found the work okay and have managed it.
Have you made friends?
I’ve made life long friends with many different people. Without these people l would be a completely different person.
What would you say to anyone thinking about applying for a WEST scholarship?
That you need to take it on. Find what you like to do and go for it. Find people who you like being with and do your best.
Name: Phoenix
Home Community: Doon Doon, Western Australia
Go Away School: Peninsula Grammar
Year commenced: 2018
How has your life changed since attending your Go Away School?
I have friends now and because of them l have become more confident. I have learnt so much at this school.
What have been some of the highlights of your time at the school?
Some of the highlights at school have been the school camps, school sports, excursions, the Boarding House and my friends.
What has been the most challenging factor?
Meeting people when l fist arrived. I didn’t know how to converse with them and l was nervous. This didn’t last for very long. Pushing myself to be better was a challenge but l realised l could do it. Playing sports l was not good at was a challenge.
How hard do you have to study?
Not very hard but you have, like an average amount. My grades are pretty good and not below average. There is help if you need it.
Have you made friends?
I have made at least thirteen friends. It is not hard to find friends at Peninsula Grammar.
What would you say to anyone thinking about applying for a WEST scholarship?
That you should just go for it. It might be the one and only chance you get.
Name: Lane
Home Community: Looma, Western Australia
Go Away School: Peninsula Grammar
Year commenced: 2018
How has your life changed since attending your Go Away School?
My life has changed so much since l have been at Peninsula Grammar. It has helped me with my English skills and made me better and more efficient. When l am at Peninsula l am a role model to my family back home. Others want to be like me and grow up like me. They also encourage me to be at go away school. I’ve made lots of friends. People take good care of me and encourage me.
What have been some of the highlights of your time at the school?
Some of the highlights have been getting up at 6 AM for Saturday sport and being with my friends. Also, our Boarding House is really good and there are always things to do. Also making tonnes of friends.
What has been the most challenging factor?
Probably when l first came down l wanted to go home. I waited and soon settled in. This year l got bad news about my Grandma and that made me feel like a wanted to give up. I don’t need to because l can go home to be with my family.
How hard do you have to study?
It depends what subject you are doing and how much homework the teacher wants to give you. In the Boarding House we have Study time and you have to work in that time no matter what.
Have you made friends?
Yes, l have made lots of friends both in and out of school. Most are from school, but l also play for the local football club and have also made friends there.
What would you say to anyone thinking about applying for a WEST scholarship?
I thinks it is a good idea and that they should definitely apply for the scholarship. It would give them the opportunity to become whatever they want. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and you’ll definitely get a better education.
Name: Te’sharn
Home Community: Kalumburu
Go Away School: Peninsula Grammar
Year commenced: 2018
How has your life changed since attending your Go Away School?
Totally different to anything that l have experiences before. I do more work, l have to be more responsible and l can experience lots of different things that l couldn’t at home. I have lots of friends and there is always lots to do. I live in a Boarding House with other girls from different countries.
What have been some of the highlights of your time at the school?
Getting to know people. Doing activities that l am not used to or don’t want to do. Then l realise that l like them and l am glad that l tried them. Camps, excursions, travel, some of the learning and meeting different people.
What has been the most challenging factor?
Being away from home.
How hard do you have to study?
There are a lot of classes and work but l have plenty of time to do other things as well. It is different but not too hard and there is a lot of help if l need it.
Have you made friends?
I have made a lot of friends and they are really good. I have more than ten really god friends.
What would you say to anyone thinking about applying for a WEST scholarship?
Just go for it and never be scared.