Laurinda Ladies' College is a rich, private school for girls where money and power are very important. The students there are mostly from wealthy families. Lucy, who comes from a working-class, immigrant family, feels out of place at the school.
The school is fancy and full of luxury, which makes Lucy feel even more different because she is on a scholarship. The students at Laurinda care a lot about their social status.
There’s also a powerful group of girls called the Cabinet who control things at the school. Lucy’s experience with them shows how hard it is to fit in when everyone is focused on power and appearances.