1. What do you see as the biggest hurdle for parents sending children to boarding school?
Apart from the obvious, which for many is financial, the actual emotional tussle is at times overwhelming. Whether you went to boarding school yourself, or you’re a ‘first generation’ boarding family the process of preparing your child, and then sending them to boarding school is one that will pull on your heart strings for a very long time. I really do empathise with families of new boarders – it takes me right back to organising, labelling, packing, the car journey and the drop off. It’s not easy but it’s a long game that will come with a host of rewards.
2. How is the high school experience different for a boarder (than a day student)?
Oh wow! Where do I begin. I was a day student that dreamed of being a boarder…. I could see the boarders’ sense of belonging, the depth of their friendships, their confident belief in their place in the world. A boarder (whether they know it or not) has consistency, routine, camaraderie, academic support at all hours, sporting opportunities at their fingertips… the experience is entirely different. I have seen day students become weekly boarders for these very reasons.
There are of course times when boarders need their space or feel overwhelmed with competing interests or negative relationships. Schools are so much better these days at supporting boarders through times like this – they recognise that boarders can’t just go home at the end of the day and ‘chill out’ alone. It can be a challenge at times to balance the emotional needs of the boarding student with communal living. Though, by far, the positives outweigh the negatives tenfold.
3. What are some of the unforeseen or unexpected benefits of a boarding school experience?
For the boarder themselves the development of independence sees them complete their schooling ready to transition and for country kids already adept at living away from home that makes further education a very realistic prospect. Be that university, apprenticeship, or a Gap year Overseas. I cannot ignore Resilience… capital ‘R’ Resilience. The word is bandied around often, but slot it in when discussing the development and education of a boarder. You’ll find it pretty apt. Boarders have to think on their feet, they have to solve issues that might normally be solved around the kitchen bench at home, they have to build tolerance of others, they play, study and live in a diverse community, they have to have difficult conversations at times …and they get up every morning and do it all again. That’s resilience building.
For the families, well, there’s the building of a community away from home. Lifelong friends will be made. The most amazing and fulfilling benefit of boarding school.
4. What are the critical steps to making a decision on where to send your kids?
- Listen to word of mouth but don’t make it your only measure. Everyone’s experience of a school is different – you can’t pick a year group that’s luck of the draw.
- Research, read, shortlist, visit – obviously our website is an amazing resource for families with almost 20 years of resources and over 165 Australian boarding schools profiled.
- Consider your financial situation – there are great boarding schools at a variety of budgets.
- The school you went to may not be the right school for your child please keep your options and your mindset open.
- Visit an Expo!
5. What drew you to start BSE?
The business was started 18 years ago by Meg Bennett and it was almost 10 years ago when I began talking to Meg about maybe one day taking over from her!
First and foremost the business began to give rural, regional and remote families options for their children’s education by bringing the schools out to the regions. In the past families may be invited to a luncheon at a private home where there would be connections between the school and host family. While that’s lovely it’s also somewhat exclusive. It relies on pre-existing connections.
The concept of Boarding Schools Expo relies on the schools coming to the regions, exhibiting under one roof where everybody is welcome to attend. Families feel comfortable closer to the place they call home, it doesn’t bank on pre-existing connections…. Walk in and feel welcome.
6. What is her vision for the business?
Simple really, we want to be the realestate.com of boarding schools. When you think of boarding schools in Australia you’ll think of us.
Boarding Schools Expo …… Australia’s biggest dorm room (that’s my dream)
We want to see boarding schools building more dorms to meet increased demand from families – be they country or urban.
We want to be part of the growth of well rounded, capital R Resilient, tolerant ex-boarders returning to our rural and regional towns.
