As a parent sending your child off to boarding school, it can be overwhelming to navigate this transition. Not only do you want your child to thrive in this new environment, but you also want to be the best support system you can be from a distance. But how exactly do you step into the…
Blog – Homesickness
Building Resilience: A Journey Through Farming, Family, and Education with Kate Kennedy
In this episode, I sit down with Kate Kennedy, a mother, farmer, and dedicated community member from Trangie in central western NSW. Kate is the proud mum of four—Belle, an early childhood educator; Annie, a paediatric nurse; Charlie, who now helps manage the family’s farming operations; and Ned, currently in his final year at boarding…
Bridging the Gap: Academics, Country Kids & Opportunity with Phillip Heath
In this episode, I sit down with Phillip Heath, Head of Barker College, to discuss a key topic from this year’s Australian Boarding Schools Summit—Academics, Country Kids & the Art of Encouragement. We explore how parents and schools can best support boarders as they adjust to a new school environment, often facing a more challenging…
Catch Up with the Experts: How to Navigate the Transition with Dr. Lisa Fahey
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Lisa Fahey, a psychologist specialising in trauma recovery and behavioral interventions for young people. As a mother of five former boarders, Dr. Lisa brings both professional expertise and personal experience to the table—making her insights invaluable for families navigating the boarding journey. This chat focuses on how parents can…
The Ultimate Packing List for Boarding School (updated)
The advice I gave my sister when she started at boarding school
Supporting your boarder (from a distance)
How to make the transition to boarding school easier
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 welcome new students into their doors. These students come from different backgrounds, situations and walks of life, and range from year 5 to year 12. And each year a good…
