From Camperdown to PLC: Chloe’s rewarding boarding journey
Moving from Camperdown in south-west Victoria to board in Melbourne is a significant step, but for Year 9 student Chloe, it has been an adventure filled with rapid growth and lifelong memories.
Joining our PLC boarding community at the start of 2026, Chloe admits she initially felt a natural mix of excitement and nerves about leaving home, her pets, and familiar surroundings.
However, the reality of PLC boarding quickly eased her nerves and exceeded her expectations. While she anticipated sharing a room, Chloe was delighted to receive her own spacious single room, which she has decorated with photos of family and friends to make it feel just like home.
The greatest surprise, however, was the immediate sense of community. "I wasn't expecting everyone to be so close, but the whole house is like a bunch of sisters who all bring love and support when needed," Chloe says.
Chloe’s daily life is vibrant, balanced and highly active. "At the beginning of this year, I was the first boarder to sign up for the Gardiners Creek Parkrun every Saturday morning, and I have not missed one since!" she shares. Led by the Head of Boarding and staff, this running group has now grown across multiple year levels.
Weekends are packed with activities, ranging from campfire nights with s'mores and Peninsula Hot Springs excursions to shopping trips at Chadstone and socials with other Melbourne boarding schools. Monday nights kick off fun-filled weeks with house team quizzes. Combined with structured academic support and dedicated study time, Chloe feels thoroughly supported. "There is always someone around to do something, so you are never on your own," she says. "I'm making great friends with not just the students but also with our Boarding House mentors."
For her parents, watching Chloe thrive from afar has already proven a rewarding experience. "It is wonderful and reassuring to see that Chloe has settled in so well, and it has been lovely to watch her confidence and independence continue to grow in such a small amount of time," says her mother, Rachel.
As she looks to the future, Chloe is thrilled to be "creating lifetime memories" every day in her new home away from home.
Presbyterian Ladies’ College acknowledges the Wurundjeri, Woiwurrung and Boonwurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians, by God’s gracious providence, of the land on which our school stands.