The Ultimate Packing List for Boarding School (updated)
9 January, 2024
This is the 2022 revised edition. Compiled from the real-life experiences of families who have gone before.
This is the 2022 revised edition. Compiled from the real-life experiences of families who have gone before.
I imagine that as a parent, it’s with a heavy heart that you worry for your child’s wellbeing, it’s with angst that you wonder if
Dr Justin Coulson, from Happy Families, goes through a series of questions that will help you determine whether or not a boarding school aligns with
Dr Justin Coulson, from Happy Families, discusses the important topic of helping your child transition to boarding school. Key points include: Watch Justin’s video, where
Dr Justin Coulson answers the important question “what are some healthy habits that every student should know about before they start boarding school?”. He touches
Connection is critical for healthy relationships with our kids. But how do you maintain a strong relationship with your child when you’re physically apart? Dr
Dr Justin Coulson, from Happy Families, chats about the factors to consider when choosing a boarding school, in addition to friends, philosophy and fun which
Dr Justin Coulson, from Happy Families, discusses the all-important questions parents ask themselves when considering boarding school for their child—”is boarding school right for my
During the teen years our children’s friendships become increasingly complicated, volatile and important. Suddenly friends and friendships begin to mean everything to our teens, and
Connecting with teens can be challenging. The stereotype tells us that our sweet, loving child has turned into an argumentative, rebellious young person. More likely,
It’s normal for children to feel scared, homesick, lonely, or unsure. Here’s how to make the transition to boarding school easier. Every January boarding schools
Our teens’ mental health can be impacted by distance from family and loved ones. Here’s what to expect if you are sending your children to
Starting boarding school, or any new school for that matter, can be a bit of an upheaval for teens. But being armed with information can
Your teen is getting ready to venture out into the boarding school world. Encouraging independence in your teen will help them be prepared for their new
If you’re wondering how to talk to your daughter about body image, you’re not alone. It’s a conversation that has no beginning or end, but
My name is Chelsea White and I am a Year 12 boarder at Kinross Wolaroi School (KWS) from Narromine. I started as a boarder in
We spoke to some PLC Armidale students about how boarding has helped them build resilience and get through some very tough times.
2020 marked the beginning of a new decade but with this exciting milestone came new and old challenges for regional communities.
To say 2020 has been a year of challenge and change would be an understatement. However, St Stanislaus’ College in Bathurst has put a range
Transition, change and uncertainty – this is the world we live in and judging by the recent drought, bush fires, and the Covid-19 crisis, there
As our kids made the trek back to their boarding houses for the start of the new school year late last month, we knew many
More fabulous boarder stories shared with us throughout 2019, highlighting the unique experiences and opportunities boarding school offers. Here are links to those stories that
Over the past year, we’ve been putting the spotlight on the lived experience of boarding in the words of boarders, themselves. Themes of community, resilience,
Boarding is a world away from the realities of the farm Year 11 boarder, Andrew Newton, has been at Shore since Year 7. Home is a
Confidence to dream Where to send your child to school is a big decision for any parent. Never more so than if you’re considering boarding-based
Boarding offers many pathways Keen to go away to boarding school from Year 7, Year 11 student at Yanco Agricultural High School, Dimity Evans has
Sibling support when living away from home Brother and sister, Will and Emma Benham are both boarders at The Armidale School (TAS), where they’re enjoying
Maintaining outside interests all part of the boarding experience Bellata’s Georgia Kirkby, a passionate poultry and duck breeder, started as a boarder at Kincoppal-Rose Bay
Boarding memories to cherish Boarding captains at Barker College, Cooper Evans and Rosie McNair are part of a tight-knit, coeducational boarding community. Both are in
Unprecedented advantages to boarding experience Canberra Grammar School (CGS) has a rich heritage and culture developed through boarding, woven into the fabric of the school.
Fast-tracking tolerance & independence Like it is for any young person starting a new school a long way from home, the year has been a
A support network of boarding sisters Fourteen year old Asha from Newcastle, was worried about homesickness until she arrived at the Ravenswood Residential College (RRC)
An outgoing student and leader, Riley Bomford has every intention of utilising his boarding school experiences to build a career in law.
Boarding Schools Expo marketing communications specialist, Kim V. Goldsmith is mum to a school leaver. She gives a somewhat light-hearted take on the serious topic
BY RYAN TAYLOR, FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR YOUNG AUSTRALIANS* The comfort of school will soon be coming to an end for this year’s graduates, with major
Living 50km north of Moree, Jodie and Andrew Crowe had discussed the idea of boarding school before the first of their six children arrived. It
Prudence Brosnan is one of the Boarding House captains who co-leads the St Margaret’s sisterhood living on campus. She hopes to inspire, motivate and encourage
Year 8 student at Pymble Ladies College, Eloise Wilson of Narromine is a most composed and eloquent young woman. She sat down with Boarding Schools
BY RYAN TAYLOR, FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR YOUNG AUSTRALIANS* Children learn so much from parents. Unfortunately, managing money is a topic you will also need to
Technology has infiltrated our daily lives in such ways, many of us are almost unaware of it…until it starts to interfere with what we’re doing.
Amanda Ferrari hails from Trangie, on the Central Western Plains of NSW. She’s still starry-eyed over the fact that she managed to snag a farmer,
Continuing from our last blog post on the changing face of contemporary boarding, now we look specifically at the needs of boarders, and the expectations
The days of ice-cold showers in open area bathrooms, unidentifiable food, military-style dormitories with regulation bedspreads (hospital corners, please) and white sheets stiff as boards
Exam stress is something most of us have suffered at some point in our lives, whether we remember our own experiences or are living through
One of the mums on our Boarding Schools Expo team is having trouble communicating with her teenage son. She’s fallen into the trap of lecturing
$10,000 Boarding School Gift
Share your story for the chance to receive a $10,000 contribution toward boarding school fees.
Created to support rural, regional and remote families as they plan the next chapter for their children. Open to families with children currently in Year 3 and above, and to those already on their boarding journey, this competition celebrates the courage it takes to look beyond your postcode and pursue opportunity. Entries close Friday 5 December 2025
Join the Circle
Be part of the community
Connect with fellow boarding school families, and share in a collective of wisdom, support and love.