Hello there,
How are you? No…. really… how are you?
If you’re feeling the weight of the Term 3 ‘just-past-mid-year’ slump, you’re not alone.
Kids are tired, parents are stretched, and the sprint to the end of the year is just around the corner.
Following some conversations recently with friends, along with families I’ve met at our events, I have written an article on the challenges boarding families face right now – along with some practical tips, drawn out of real lived experience, to ease the load. I really hope it helps.
And let’s be real…. if you’re not on the boarding school journey yet you’re probably still juggling kids and the ‘just-past-mid-year’ slump. Living in the bush means tons of time in the car, huge commutes to sport or mini-schools or anywhere really! It can just all get on top of you sometimes.
We’re also inviting you to share your story in our Survey: Have Your Say on the Future of Boarding School.
It takes less than 5 minutes, helps shape better support for families like yours, and there’s a chance to win $500 if you include your details and you’re up for a podcast episode interview!!
While you’re helping me out with the Survey, we’re busy here at Boarding Expo HQ getting ready for a big rebrand. After 21 years, rebranding feels daunting – I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. Almost a generation of children and families have walked through our doors, and their stories matter deeply. But it’s time to ensure the next generation feels just as welcome. Our mission remains the same: to make decisions easier, and the journey feel supported. New name, new logos, new website. I cannot wait to unveil it all.
And because it’s not all heavy stuff, we’re sharing a few things we’re loving right now – small joys, helpful resources, and a reminder that there’s always something to smile about, even in the thick of Term 3.
HOLDING ON IN TERM THREE
How Boarding Families Can Reset and Regroup
Midway through Term 3, boarding families feel the strain – tired kids, long travel, rising costs and behaviour challenges.
Here’s how parents can work with schools, know when to rest a boarder, and keep family bonds strong, while bracing for the sprint to Term 4 and year-end commitments.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS – SHARE YOUR BOARDING SCHOOL JOURNEY
Make your experience count – 5 minute survey for boarding families
Have you considered boarding school for your child?
Are you currently on the journey – or been through it already?
If you’re a rural, regional or remote parent, I’d be so grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete this short survey.
It’s designed to capture the real experience of boarding school decisions – the hopes, the fears, the wins, and the hard bits too.
REAL CONVERSATIONS. IT’S WHAT WE DO
Live Q&A for Boarding Parents: The Emotional Rollercoaster of Teen Life
Discover our Live Q&A panels created by us and especially for rural, regional, and remote families navigating boarding school. From finances and emotional readiness to wellbeing and staying connected.
This month we’re featuring ‘The Emotional Rollercoaster of Teen Life’ a really supportive discussion aimed at understanding the impact of communal living on teenagers and how best to support them, how well equipped our staff are to support them too and much more.
Here are the things we’re loving right now…
NOSTALGIA & BEAUTY ROLLED INTO ONE
Porcelain treasures honouring our past.
It’s happened again…a slow Sunday morning catch up with my ‘friends’ at Galah and I’ve discovered a creator of art so real it takes you straight back to childhood. Some artworks stop you in your tracks – not with grandeur, but with the quiet pull of memory. That was my first encounter with Honor Freeman via this article by Annabel Crabb. The images of her porcelain soaps carried me straight back to childhood bathrooms at my Grandparents’ home, where cracked bars of soap told stories of hard work and home.
WHERE OCEAN, WILDERNESS & LUXURY MEET
Piermont Retreat: yes please take me to Tassie’
Every now and again I fantasise about a retreat from ‘life’ …. I start googling and exploring the possibility of truly unplugging. Late one night as I felt overwhelmed by the next days’ tasks, I decided to procrastinate (some more…) and look what I found. Nestled on Tasmania’s pristine east coast, Piermont Retreat is where luxury meets wilderness. Think stone cottages, ocean views, and a deep sense of calm. Whether it’s long walks on the beach, fine dining, or simply unwinding by the fire, Piermont is a place to truly exhale.
Who’s coming ?
AUSTRALIAN DRAMA FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE
The Family Next Door: must watch ABC iView
Oh my goodness I do love an Aussie drama. There’s something special about watching a story unfold with a stellar cast you already love. The Family Next Door brings together some of Australia’s best actresses (am I even allowed to say that…are they actors now?) against breathtaking backdrops that feel as familiar as they are cinematic. It’s authentic, beautifully crafted, and the kind of series you’ll end up embedded on the sofa for.
Have you finished your boarding school journey ? Do you know a family that is unsure how to begin their research into boarding schools? Share our news…. tell your friends and family who might be on their way. Our website provides 21 years of resources and experience to families and students considering their options and beginning their days at boarding school.
