Walker House
Walker House Staff Profile | Pia Simonetto, Housekeeper
Pia's warmth, dedication, and compassionate nature shine through in everything she does, creating a positive and nurturing environment for everyone in the boarding house community.
1. When did you join The Friends' School?
I joined the school community in January 2024.
2. What inspired you to take on this role, and what do you enjoy most about working in a school boarding environment?
The idea of working in a nurturing, dynamic environment with such educated and thoughtful individuals drew me to this role. I’m constantly inspired by the kindness and dedication of Jason, Agneta, and all the staff here.
I find immense joy in the daily tasks of cleaning, organising, and creating a comfortable, welcoming space for our students. But what I love most is connecting with the students—getting to know their unique personalities and witnessing their growth. It reminds me that life isn’t black and white; every individual brings something special to the table.
3. Can you share a memorable moment or experience that has stood out during your time here?
One of the most touching moments happened recently when a Year 12 student left me a heartfelt card. It brought me to tears because it was such a beautiful reminder that kindness matters. Feeling that validation for simply being kind meant the world to me.
Another highlight this year was our Santa visit, where we handed out gifts. Seeing the joy and excitement on so many faces was a heartwarming reminder of how small gestures can have a big impact.
4. What do you believe is the most important part of your role in supporting the students and creating a welcoming home-away-from-home for them?
To me, the most important aspect of my role is being a compassionate, consistent, and reliable presence. I believe in greeting everyone with a smile because you never know the challenges they might be facing. A warm, positive interaction can be the lift someone needs to face their day.
5. Where is your favourite place in the world?
I’ve been fortunate to travel widely since I was 15, living in places like Geneva, Sydney, the USA, and London. But my heart holds a special place for the Greek Islands, particularly for the memories I’ve shared there with my sister. That said, returning to Tasmania in recent years has been a uniquely wonderful experience. There’s something so grounding and fulfilling about being back home.
Walker House has been busy busy in 2024 with lots happening. What a group our 2024 boarders are…
Thanks to Alex Syka, Ella Wood, Daniel O’Donnell and Robert Curry as the inaugural members of the Walker House Committee. They have been the driving force behind activities such as; draw a partner, donating warm clothes to a shelter during the winter months, the push-up challenge to raise awareness of mental health, Walker House sports night, rock climbing and a swimming night at the Aquatics Centre.
Due to Jason and his wife Agneta being on renewal leave in 2025 and not going to be here to see our Year 11s graduate, we decided to have a ‘Faux Formal’ where our Year 11s dressed up in their frocks and suits. Funny photos were made and we even had a disco in the large common room with strobe lighting!
Our Year 12 graduation was another milestone evening for our Leavers. Being the centre of attention at Walker one last time, our Year 12s embraced the evening, with many photos of them now and their past being put up onto the wall. A lovely ‘Walker’ photo was also taken at the School Leavers' Dinner.
Halloween was again a big hit with the boarders with many ‘spooky’ edible and non-edible treats to be wary of. Our boarders embraced the evening with some fun challenges along the way with ‘paint your own pumpkin’.
The inaugural Walker challenge this year has been a termly competition where boarders can accrue points over the course of the Term. This year we have had a Table Tennis challenge won by Alex Tran (Year 11), a Guess Who competition won be Ella Wood (Year 11) and an Eight Ball competition, yet to be decided in Term 4 with Daniel O’Donnell and Glenn Weeding battling it out to take the crown.
Our boarders love a birthday party and so do we! Our lovely kitchen staff allow our boarders to choose their own meal for their birthday dinner, along with dessert. They even get their own cake! It’s so nice to see messages written on the whiteboard on the day of their birthday from other boarders wishing them a happy birthday.
The Revell Sports Centre has been a popular destination on the weekends for our 7-day boarders. We are so lucky to have the use of this facility during the day on weekends and don’t our boarders love it! Three hours can pass and they still want more!
‘Draw a partner’ was an initiative from our Walker Committee this year where boarders picked a partner out of a hat and were given 30 minutes to draw their partner. The talent of some of our boarders is amazing!
At different times of the year, the boarders take a trip down to Mures for an ice-cream treat! Whether it be for participation in the Walker challenge, helping out in service or the winners of a prize, the ice-cream is divine!
When the weather is nice and treats of oysters are provided, getting out amongst our lovely rose garden is such a pleasant and relaxing spot.
Holidays allow more to scope to venture out and about and see different parts of Tasmania. In the April school holidays this year we spent 5 days/4 nights visiting Strahan and Stanley in Tasmania’s North West. Other popular holiday activities this year have been Hyperdrive in Kingston and the Escape Room in Moonah.
Jason Mcdonald - Director of Residence