Real stories from rural and remote families navigating boarding school in Australia. From choosing the right boarding school and preparing your child to leave home, to homesickness, friendships and parenting from afar, discover honest experiences, practical insights and reassurance from parents and boarders who have lived the boarding school journey.
Choosing a boarding school isn’t just about fees, facilities or academic results. It’s about finding the right energy. Big Boarding School Energy is that feeling when you meet a school and think: these are our people. It’s subjective, personal and
Over 1,400 rural, regional and remote families have taken the time to share their experiences of boarding school, their hopes for their children, their financial pressures and the decisions they have made, or may yet have to make.
Using her family’s decision to send children to boarding school as an example, Amanda Ferrari contends that rural parents deserve the freedom to make educational choices without judgement.
For many country families, the school interview can feel intimidating. You might drive hundreds of kilometres, put your child in their best clothes and walk through gates wondering if your child is “good enough” for the school.
Oaklands mother Tamara Nixon believes boarding school gives country children the best of both worlds — strong rural roots alongside wider opportunities, lifelong friendships and the confidence to thrive beyond the farm.
I was so desperate to “do boarding school properly” that at times I followed the rules more than my gut. And my gut knew you needed softness before structure some days.
Sarah Hooke runs a merino sheep station on the Hay Plains near Wanganella, NSW – and like many bush families, boarding school is quietly coming into focus. She shares her family’s story, fears, and hopes.
Wondering what a Boarding Schools Expo is really like? Amanda Ferrari shares what families can expect – and why connection is at the heart of every event.
How do you say goodbye to a 64-year love story? Malcolm and Jane Scott’s journey began at boarding school and became a lifetime of love, family, and connection.
From boarding school connections to life on a Merino sheep station, Emily McLeod and Tom Riggs share how love, timing and country roots shaped their story.
Meet the O’Brien family from a mixed farm near Warren in Central Western New South Wales.
Three boarding school families share their favourite holiday destinations and why familiar places, slower days and time together matter most.
Katie Last shares her family’s rural life near Cootamundra, their boarding school journey, and the growth, resilience and pride she’s seen in her three daughters.
From their farm near Wagga Wagga, Jane Robertson shares an honest reflection on preparing her eldest for boarding school in 2026 and the emotions that come with letting go.
Katie shares her journey of sending her boys to boarding school, navigating distance, homesickness, and communication, while celebrating their growth, resilience, and opportunities.
Georgie Robertson from Coolamon shares her journey sending three daughters to boarding school, reflecting on the challenges, growth, independence, and lasting friendships each experienced.
Kirsty shares her journey raising four children in rural NSW, balancing distance, communication, and homesickness, while treasuring school holiday reunions and family traditions.
Expo activities
Vote for
your favourite school
at an Expo for a chance
to WIN $10,000!
From boarding school experts, to scholarship opportunities to prizes
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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Connect with fellow boarding school families, and share in a collective of wisdom, support and love.