In this heartfelt episode of Letters from Home, Amanda sits down with Sarah Ryan, farmer’s wife, artist, and creator of the iconic Quandialla Candle Co. Broadcasting from her family’s merino stud in southern NSW, Sarah shares her beautifully honest story of raising three children in a tiny village school, navigating the drought years, running a creative business from a backyard studio – and ultimately embracing the realities of boarding school life.
With one son now graduated and working as a jackaroo, another in Year 11, and her daughter freshly into Year 7 at a Sydney girls’ school, Sarah reflects on the full arc of the boarding journey. She talks about the hopes, the fears, the tough moments, and the quiet victories that have shaped each of her kids – and her as a mother.
This conversation explores:
- Choosing between regional and metropolitan boarding schools
- The emotional shock of the first drop-off
- Parenting from afar (and how communication has changed)
- When to step in – and when to “go floppy”
- How family dynamics shift when one child leaves home
- The resilience, tolerance and life skills boarding school quietly builds
- The unique grief rural parents carry – and why we must talk about it
Sarah’s warmth, wisdom and humour make this an incredibly grounding listen for any family on the boarding school path.
Her message is clear: trust the process, trust the schools, and trust that your child will grow in ways you can’t yet imagine.
A must-listen for rural, regional and remote parents preparing to let go – just a little.
