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Letters from Home – Podcast

Letters from Home is our podcast sharing the real voices and lived experiences of boarding. Through honest conversations with parents, students and experts, we explore the challenges, the triumphs and the everyday realities of life beyond the places we call home. For families, it offers reassurance, strategies and connection. For schools, it’s a window into the hopes and concerns of rural communities, helping strengthen understanding and relationships. Each episode is a letter from the bush to the boarding world.

The Postie with the Mostie: The 600km Mail Run with Bec Climie

Remote postie Bec Climie shares how her 600km mail run across North Queensland delivers more than letters - building connection and community for isolated outback
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The Courage to Change Course: Parenting through a boarding journey that didn’t follow the plan with Geraldine Clark

When a boarding school isn’t the right fit, parents can change course. Geraldine Clark shares her family’s journey navigating school changes and finding belonging.
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Not in Our DNA: A Walgett Family’s Unexpected Journey to Boarding School with Daniel Bashford

Daniel Bashford shares his family’s unexpected decision to choose boarding school, navigating myths, finances and rural NSW schooling realities.
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Two Homes, One Heart – Boarding from the Top End with Anna Cochrane

Anna Cochrane, a Northern Territory mum shares the realities of boarding school for remote families and parenting from thousands of kilometres away.
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City Girl, Bush Life, Big Decisions with Amy Clark

Amy Clark shares the realities of rural family life in Walcha, NSW and the big decision to choose boarding school for her boys.
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Big Steps, Big Love with Lisa Green: A Single Mum’s Journey to Boarding School

A heartfelt conversation with Lisa Green about choosing boarding school, navigating scholarships, and the mix of excitement and grief that comes with letting go.
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The Spirit of Boarding with Tamara Nixon: Why Rural Kids Matter to City Schools

Tamara Nixon shares why boarding matters, the importance of rural students in city schools, and how belonging, community and culture can be rebuilt in boarding
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Around Australia with the ICPA – WA State President Jane Cunningham

In this episode, we are joined by Jane Cunningham, President of ICPA Western Australia, to unpack the realities of accessing education across one of the
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From Country Quiet to City Life: Phoebe’s Boarding Story

In this episode of Nailing Homesickness, Amanda Ferrari chats with Phoebe, a Year 10 boarder at Methodist Ladies’ College in Melbourne, who began boarding at
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Around Australia with the ICPA – SA State President Belinda Hatcher

Today we’re in South Australia with Belinda Hatcher, where engagement is surging - this year’s conference saw a record 29 motions.
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Finding Confidence, Consistency and Calm at Boarding School with Nouvelle M.

In this episode of Nailing Homesickness, we meet Nouvelle, a Year 8 boarder at ⁠Canberra Girls Grammar School⁠, whose upbringing in an Australian Defence Force
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A Leap of Faith, Kept Close to Home – Celebrating 10 Years of Boarding at Macquarie Anglican Grammar School

This episode takes us to ⁠Macquarie Anglican Grammar School (MAGS) ⁠in Dubbo for a milestone moment for them at the end of last year: the
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Finding Your Feet: Isla’s First Year of Boarding

In this episode of Nailing Homesickness, we hear from Isla, a Year 10 boarder who made the move from a farm near Dubbo to ⁠St
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From the Header to the Boarding House: Harry’s First Year at Scotch

Today on Nailing Homesickness, we’re heading to a little place near Oaklands in southern New South Wales, not far from Albury and Yarrawonga, to meet
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From Collie to the Classroom Paddock: Lara’s Leap to Boarding

In this episode of Nailing Homesickness, we’re heading northwest of Dubbo to chat with Lara, a Year 9 boarder at ⁠Hurlstone Agricultural High School⁠ -
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Around Australia with the ICPA – QLD State President Wendy Henning

Today we’re in Queensland, where advocacy runs like clockwork: State Council treks to Brisbane three times a year - August, November and March - to
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From Station Life to City School: How Clem Found Her Feet at Boarding School

In this episode of Nailing Homesickness, we’re heading a very long way from Brisbane - all the way to a cattle station in the Northern
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Around Australia with the ICPA – NT State President Moira Lanzarin

Today we’re heading to the ⁠Northern Territory⁠, where vast distances mean many kids must board interstate. As Moira Lanzarin so clearly puts it: if we
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The School of the EXPO Award celebrates genuine connection between families and schools. Voted on by families attending each event, the award recognises schools that stand out for their friendliness, presentation, and knowledge of boarding life. It’s a fun, interactive way for families – and their children – to engage with the schools in the room, while giving exhibitors valuable feedback on what resonates most. Each winning school receives a free registration for the following year’s Expo in recognition of their excellence.

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