Hello to you all,
Here’s what’s on my bulletin board for you this month:
- Dubbo Boarding Schools Expo, 15-16 May
- Wagga Wagga Boarding Schools Expo, 29-30 May
- Listen to my conversation with one ex-boarder who is changing the world
- VOTE Now for your most beloved boarding house mistress #mum
- And a few of the things we’re loving right now…. Motherland Dubbo event, discover Women in Ag, and an update on my gardening era.
Over the past few weeks I’ve been reflecting on something important in the way I communicate with you about boarding schools.
From time to time, I speak about schools my own children attended. I do that deliberately – not because I favour those schools, but because lived experience is often where real connection begins. For many rural, regional and remote families especially, it helps to hear what boarding actually felt like inside a family like theirs.
The good parts. The hard parts. And everything in between.
What I want you to know is this: I do not recommend one boarding school over another. Not ever.
In fact, one of the strongest messages I share – at expos, on the podcast, in Backfence Bulletin and here in these newsletters – is that the right school is the school that fits your child.
Not the school your neighbour chose. Not the school your cousin loved. Not the school you once imagined. The one that feels right when you do the work of exploring, comparing and discovering what matters most for your family.
Benchmarking schools is powerful. Asking questions is powerful. Keeping an open mind is powerful. I encourage all three, all the time. You’ll know that if you’ve been hanging around here for a while.
What I’ve learned through The Boarding School Collective – across hundreds of conversations, our many face-to-face events each year and meeting thousands of families over the years – is something I feel very strongly about.
All boarding schools care deeply about what they do.
All boarding schools work incredibly hard to support their students.
And all boarding schools value the contribution rural, regional and remote families bring to their communities in ways that are both practical and cultural.
I speak about individual schools often because I am committed to telling the full story of boarding in Australia – honestly, respectfully and without fear or favour. To suggest otherwise simply doesn’t reflect the work we do here.
My role is not to point families toward a school. It’s to walk alongside them while they find their own.
And I remain deeply grateful for the trust you place in that process.
With our Dubbo and Wagga Wagga Boarding School Expos just around the corner, this is exactly the kind of opportunity I encourage families to take – to step into a room full of schools, ask questions, compare approaches and discover what feels right for your child.
Every family who attends can vote in our School of the Expo Award, and in doing so goes into the draw to win a $10,000 Education Investment Account – something that can grow towards helping you educate your kids.
You’ll also receive a gift bag on arrival, including something I am incredibly proud of – the very first edition of The Next Step – A Guide to Boarding School. It’s designed to be a practical, reassuring companion as you begin your boarding school journey together.
Until next month, take care, and I look forward to meeting you at Dubbo or Wagga in May.
ONE TRIP TO DUBBO. A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES.
Come to Dubbo. Meet the Schools from QLD, NSW & ACT. Win $10,000.
Families travel hundreds of kilometres to attend our Dubbo Boarding Schools Expo because it brings around 40 schools together under one roof, right there in their region. It’s a rare chance to ask questions, compare options and start meaningful conversations without navigating big cities or unfamiliar campuses.
I strongly encourage you to pre-register so you can plan your visit, receive your gift bag on arrival and go into the draw for the $10,000 Boarding School Gift.
FOUR STATES. ONE EXPO. ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
Why Riverina & South-West Slopes Families Start Their Search in Wagga Wagga
Our Wagga Wagga Boarding Schools Expo is a wonderful opportunity for Riverina & South-west Slopes families to explore schools both north and south of the border, with strong representation from NSW, ACT, Victoria and our Tasmanian option. We know families appreciate being able to compare options in one place rather than travelling long distances to multiple campuses.
I encourage you to pre-register so you can plan your visit, collect your gift bag on arrival and go into the draw for the $10,000 Boarding School Gift.
BOARDING SCHOOL SPARKED SOMETHING BIGGER
From Boarding School to Womn-Kind – Ruby Riethmuller Is Changing Lives
Growing up on a farm outside Wagga Wagga, Ruby Riethmuller’s journey through boarding school opened doors she never imagined – leadership, confidence and the courage to try something new. Today she is the founder of Womn-Kind, supporting girls and gender diverse young people across Australia to feel like they are enough. This is a thoughtful conversation about opportunity, belonging and why schools everywhere should know Ruby’s work.
VOTE NOW FOR YOUR FAVOURITE HOUSE MUMTE HOUSE MUM
Show Your Boarding House Mum The Love
It couldn’t be easier this Mother’s Day to show your boarder’s House Mum just how special she is to your family.
Follow us on socials, tag your boarding school and VOTE via our DM’s. It’s that easy! We’ll announce the winner on Mother’s Day – $1000 to that House Mum’s favourite rural charity AND $1000 Air BnB Gift Voucher for a well earned getaway.
And…entry into The Boarding School Collective’s House Mum Hall of Love.
Here are the things we’re loving right now…
ARE YOU JOINING ME AT THE MOTHERLAND EVENT IN DUBBO?
Motherland is coming to Dubbo! Please join us.
We are very proud to support the wonderful team behind Motherland, particularly Founder and CEO Steph Trethewey. This national charity supports rural Mums wherever they call home. The event will feature a panel discussion (featuring yours truly) about the highs and lows of rural motherhood, hosted by Steph – a seasoned panel host who manages to get the nitty gritty details right out of you! I’ll be joined by our good friend here, Kaitie Nash and Sonja Chrystal. $55 for brunch, open hearted conversations and connection. I’d love to meet you there.
DISCOVER WOMEN IN AGF….CIRCA 2026
Coffee & Connections …and another appearance by yours truly.
Women in Ag have partnered with Rabobank Wholesale to bring me to their couch down in the big smoke today!! Sorry for the late notice though how special is this. I wanted you all to know. I’m being joined by another one of our faves here, Ruby Riethmuller (link to listen to our convo’ above) along with the founder of Acre Agency, Emma Williams. Awesome women and I’m really thrilled to be part of this event.
THE WEDDING GARDEN PROJECT
Yes the plants are growing…Oh my goodness could I be the next great gardening guru?
I’ve got to say…so far so good. I’m just at the end of the planting window and I’ve been solidly committed to a minimum of 10 holes a day (10 plants in the ground). The bulk went in before Easter and we’ve only had one ‘death’ so far. Even with the son’s red cattle dog frolicking through the beds.
Among the very plain screening garden beds we’ve put in..I have indulged my fear of gardening, gone for the desensitisation method by going full throttle ‘Paul Bangay‘ (minus the balls) for one large bed that the bride/groom and guests will walk past on their way to drinks ….so far, so alive, so good. Pray for me gardeners out there.
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.
