Elise Brown (Year 11) – Boarder from the Northern Territory.
I come from a cattle station in the heart of the Northern Territory, where the closest Woollies is three hours away, food deliveries come only once a fortnight, and the nearest airport is a seven-hour drive. Growing up, it was just me and my two younger brothers. School was by correspondence with the School of the Air, and we were taught by a governess in a schoolroom—very different from a traditional classroom.
Life on the station was never dull. Sometimes I’d miss afternoon classes to help move cattle, or on weekends, we’d have campdrafts to attend, so I’d spend afternoons practicing after school.
Whenever people ask me where I’m from, they’re often shocked and amazed when I say I live in the Northern Territory. Their next question is usually, “So why did you end up at Frensham?” I tell them the story of how my mum was chatting with one of the boys working in the yards, asking where all the nice girls come from. Without hesitation, he said, “Frensham.”
A New Chapter at Frensham
After visiting Frensham, Mum fell in love with the School. She loved that it was in the country but still close enough to the city to be convenient. She also appreciated how many of the girls came from farming backgrounds.
Even before stepping through Frensham’s iconic green gates, I couldn’t contain my excitement for boarding school. Coming from the School of the Air, where my closest friends lived three hours away, the idea of living with all my friends sounded perfect.
My Frensham journey began in 2020 as an eager Year 7 student, thrilled to start high school.
A Family of 360 Sisters
During my time at Frensham, I’ve built strong friendships that I’ll cherish for a lifetime. One of the aspects of boarding I’ve grown to love is the mixed dorms and mixed year group houses. These have allowed me to form close connections with girls I might not have otherwise gotten to know. This unique structure fosters a stronger school community, creating what feels like a family of 360 sisters.
Looking back on my Frensham experience, it feels like a whirlwind of emotional memories. From days of excitement to nights of homesickness, I’ve created countless moments and friendships that will stay with me forever.