2021 Graziher Boarding School Guide by Graziher

g r a z i h er

B OAR D I N G SCHOOL GUIDE 2021

We l c o m e ! The 2021 Graziher Boarding School Guide

Boarding school is a part of life that many children from rural, regional and remote areas may experience throughout their education journey. It can be one of the greatest experiences: making lifelong friends; enjoying a great education; and being offered amazing extracurricular activities such as sports and cultural activities. Choosing the right school for you and your family is an important decision, which is why we publish a Boarding School Guide each year - to help assist with making this decision. If you would like to read more up on these fantastic schools, our digital Boarding School Guide is available on the Graziher website - each school has a story published on them - plus, we feature several Boarding School Reflections from parents on what their journey has been like. To read the digital guide, head to graziher.com.au Other features in our digital guide include: direct click through links, so you can easily get in touch with schools; integrated videos for several schools to give a deeper insight into their ethos; as well as a Boarding School Directory - an easy one-stop-shop with all the schools listed. All schools featured in this guide would love to hear from you if interested - their contact details are listed on their space. Get in touch with them today to have a chat, or find out more information on enrollments and 2021 open days.

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C L A N C Y PA I N E .

Claire CLAIRE DUNNE, EDITOR

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Boarding School Reflections WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY MAGGIE MACKELLAR.

Maggie Mackellar reflects on what it’s like sending a son away to boarding school. For more of Maggie’s adventures, follow her on Instagram at @ maggiemackellar_

AT THE END of last year, I sat in the dining room of the boarding house where my son has been a boarder for the last seven years and listened to him make his valedictory speech. Behind him, projected on a screen, were the ubiquitous photos of his progression through the years. But even without the visual timeline, my memory of the day he was born was an alive and tangible thing. My son started boarding school in Year 6. He was 11 years old. The first drive home from dropping him off felt like one of the longest of my life. And, I was lucky. I’d left a laughing, excited, nervous, but totally distracted small boy enthusiastically playing table tennis. He’d barely had time to say goodbye. I’d never had to deal with tears, or even much homesickness. Seven years on, and a well adjusted 18 year old stands before me, surrounded by his boarding house family. I look at the faces watching him speak. There’s the kitchen staff and cleaning staff, the “gappies” and the boarding masters, the chaplin, the headmaster and deputy, and his teacher from Year 6, whom he has invited to the dinner. And of course, there were the boys in all their different shapes and sizes, nationalities and personalities. Looking around the room, I can see my son is loved and respected. And yet, I still have an ache, a deep unease, a pain under my ribs from the memory of those drives home leaving him in an institution, that no matter how homey, was not home. Boarding gave both my children so many good things. I hesitate to list them, because I sound like a school commercial. But, they both became independent. They developed an ability to get along with different personalities and age groups. Time management was their responsibility, not mine. A study routine was not

something I had to enforce (though I would have to say until COVID, I had never seen my son open a textbook - in his mind, school work was for school, home was for home.) They had so many opportunities for sport and music that were impossible to access from where we live. And, there’s the richness of friendships they’ve made across year groups and a strong sense of identity separate to us. They learned about the responsibility of living in a community. All of this prepares them for the world outside school, and I suspect gives them a great tool kit to navigate the transition out of school. Watching my son speak, I felt the rightness of the experience of boarding for him. Yet, this knowledge was bittersweet. It comes at a price. A thousand small moments not lived. Not kissing him goodnight every night, not being there for the first day of school, or his birthdays. Not being there to share in the small victories or commiserate over the stings of lost football matches or dropped catches. They’re all such tiny things, and I think bigger for me than him. He’d gained another family. He was surrounded by fabulous mentors, giving him a glimpse of how a person could move through a world that was bigger than our family unit. But for me, sending a child to boarding school was a sacrifice, the instinctive opposite to the conception I had of myself as a mother. I had no regrets. My eyes welled up as I watched him make his mates laugh and listened to the genuine affection in the voice of the Head Boarding Master as he described the quirks of my son in a way I knew that he was seen and known. I realise that in making his world bigger than us, than the small town we live outside of, he has become bigger. So, I let this knowledge sit alongside my mothering loss. graziher.com.au

Boarding School Reflections WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY JESSIE PERSSE.

Jessie Persse writes a list for the things you can do to help make the boarding school transition period easier. Follow Jessie on Instagram at @jessthefarmerswife This story was written in collaboration with the Queensland ICPA. For more information on the Queensland ICPA: www.qld.icpa.com.au

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FOUR YEARS AGO, when my eldest started at boarding school, I had every man and his dog ask me if I was OK. I was fine. I’d had twelve years to wrap my head around my children leaving. I had never been a boarder, but my husband and his entire family had all experienced it. I felt fine doing the drop-off. To be honest, the day I drove out of Brisbane and headed west - alone - was pretty ordinary, however. I’d had a full car only days earlier and a full heart, brimming with excitement. And then, completely unexpectedly (or maybe it was to be expected) I felt empty. I wasn’t working much at the time. The drought was taking its toll financially and emotionally. On the outside I was smiling, but on the inside I was struggling. I don’t think I even really fully comprehended the magnitude of what was going on. Things were slowly, without me realising it, snowballing. It wasn’t until Term 2, when our family dog died tragically, that things fell apart in epic fashion. The cracks became canyons, and it all culminated in a depressive “episode” that saw me having to seek professional help. No one was more surprised than me. Depression is a long and steady road, but I’m finally feeling like myself again right now. Here are a few things you can do to help make this transition period easier for you and your child. 1. Crying is perfectly normal, and missing your child is to be expected. That’s OK! 2. Don’t burden your children with your problems. If it’s a drought or a flood, financial, personal or social issues, protect your child from it as best you can. Kids are clever. They know what’s going on, and sometimes you will need to be honest about things that are unpleasant. I try to soothe any potential blow with a positive: “It’s all good. We have it under control.”

3. Don’t take on your children’s problems. Teenagers need you to listen and be a sympathetic ear. Tell them you are listening and feel their concerns, but don’t feed the monster. If they start speaking in circles, catastrophising, and becoming overly emotional, try picking the conversation up again at another time. Most of the time, teenagers hang up the phone and move on immediately, leaving you in a world of parental turmoil, so don’t dwell on the negative. 4. Trust your school. You chose it for a reason. Let them do their jobs. If you have a major concern, do it in the kindest way possible, and offer your support where necessary. 5. Get to know your child’s friends, and get involved where you can. Making connections is good for you as well. 6. Look after yourself. Exercise, stay social, and keep busy where possible. 7. Surround yourself with your tribe. My tribe is made up of friends and family who encourage and support me and my family. It’s about bringing in the positive and not dwelling on the negative. 8. Make quality time with your children, because quantity time becomes so much harder when they leave you. This year we sent our second child off to school. This time I was genuinely ready. I had made plans to keep busy, but not so busy that I couldn’t find time for my children when they needed me. I was working part-time. I had my support networks in place. I am honest about when I am not feeling great. Sharing the load has been the key. Other parents understand. It’s not going to be perfect all of the time, and that’s OK, but being able to talk about it has been what has gotten me through. graziher.com.au

Boarding School Reflections WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY WENDY SHEENAN.

This story was written in collaboration with the Queensland ICPA. For more information on the Queensland ICPA: www.qld.icpa.com.au

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THE PROSPECT OF boarding school can be both spectre and beacon for the whole family. We miss them fiercely from a distance and worry about how they’re getting on without us, but that’s balanced by the knowledge that they are becoming more independent (doing their own washing, taking responsibility for their homework/time management and pocket money, etc.) while having many new experiences, making new friends and learning how to co-exist with people they aren’t friends with (a handy skill for anyone!) I think they worry (a little) about how we’re managing without them, and they miss the quiet, the space, the pets and the freedom of bush living, but they like having access to things like gymnastics, cadets, a year round swimming pool, and they love the company of their friends and the sudden access to shops! The sudden, inexplicable disappearance of the term’s pocket money over one outing is a valuable learning experience for everyone. Perhaps splitting the pocket money into two deposits a term is a better option initially, until the sudden rush of blood as a result of the readily available junk food and knick-knacks subsides. Our kids are enrolled 1,000 km away. Obviously not every school is going to suit every child, and this one is not quite the closest boarding school, but it is in a town where we only have to drive two hours to have direct airline access, so instead of an eight hour round trip for us to put them on the bus for a 10 hour trip, we can do a four hour round trip, pick up groceries, and by the time we get home, they’ve already landed. You just have to get in very early to get the cheap seats! And they’ve had a few bus trips, which makes sure they really appreciate the plane trips.

Boarding school has always been the reality for our family, so even though we’ve all felt some unease over the changes before us, the kids have known this will be the next step after primary school through distance education, because as wonderful as our distance ed school is (and it is!) we felt that the positives associated with going to “the big smoke” and attending a school with more kids in the boarding house than in the whole of our school of distance education (where the kids might only see the rest of their cohort two or three times a year) far outweighed the negatives. We had talked about boarding school positively over the years, but it was always going to be tough when D-day arrived, and I think second and third term in the first year are probably the worst; the novelty has worn off, and the reality of spending so much of the year away from home has had time to set in; but, it does get better, and it’s amazing how fast the years go by. Technology has made keeping in touch much easier, although some are more inclined to use this than others, and we’ve had to brush up on our own time management here on the property. Now stockwork is carefully planned weeks or even months in advance (where possible) to allow for full family participation over the holidays. The unfortunate but necessary short notice jobs done outside holiday time are always greeted by noises of indignation and disgust, and while normally the prospect of rain over the holidays would gladden all hearts, now their practical, bush loving selves have to war with the part that hates to miss out on the fun and comradery of mustering. And on that note, we have cattle work planned and possible rain on the horizon! graziher.com.au

E d u c a t i o n f o r 1 2 5 Ye a r s ST MARGARET’S ANGLICAN GIRLS SCHOOL IN A YEAR WHEN St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School in Brisbane was celebrating educating girls (including boarders) for 125 years, the school was named the nation’s top boarding school for the second consecutive year in the Australian Education Awards.

advertisement. They are the ones who talk to the people in their areas, and parents will always ask other parents about their experience of the school. Parents will always tell me they see what our Old Girls, are like and everything about them is what they would want their daughters to become.

The school’s Head of Boarding, Lesa Fowler, also received the prestigious 2020 Premier Leadership Award from the country’s top boarding organisation - the Australian Boarding Schools Association.

Q: How do we specifically build that connection with parents far and wide? LF: We have a closed Facebook page for boarders and their parents, where we regularly put up photos, keeping them apprised of daily happenings. It can be something as simple as a photo I’ll take at morning tea - a taste of the everyday, as well as special activities and occasions. We send out our “All Aboard” newsletter weekly, which is full of photos and everything we’ve done that week and everything that’s coming up. The house mothers also do a fortnightly newsletter to their year levels, as well as ring the parents twice a term at the beginning and end of term to chat to them about their daughter. The other thing we do is ensure we get out and about and visit a lot of our families. I’ll visit a property and take a photo of meeting their dogs and even participate in some of the things they would do at home - like mustering. I gain a greater appreciation and understanding of their home lives and build a deeper connection with their families, and that really builds our community. Those connections very often become lifelong, such are the bonds that are formed when you have helped care for and stewarded someone else’s child. When we visit these areas, we also try to meet prospective parents as well, as they will always want to get to know who will be potentially looking after their daughters. I can do all this, because I have such an excellent team in the boarding house. I might be out for a week, but I know that boarding staff are able to deal with any situation that might arise.

We asked Lesa Fowler what it takes to be the nation’s number one boarding school. Q: What does it mean to you to win Boarding School of the Year two times in a row? LF: I think what it demonstrates is how integral boarding is to the entire school community. That is probably what we can be most proud of - that it is so much a part of everything we do here at St Margaret’s. Q: Has ensuring integration been one of your key priorities in the years you’ve been at St Margaret’s? LF: Absolutely. That connection between the day school and the boarding school is so important. We want the teaching staff to know as much about the boarders as the boarding staff. Having teachers come in to supervise prep, boarding staff meetings with the heads of year, and the classroom teachers feeling free to email the house mothers who are in charge of each year level says a lot about building that connection between the day school and the boarding house. I think because I also teach in the day school, I’m connected with the teaching staff, because I’m in a faculty and doing the day-to-day teaching and everything that goes along with it. Q: The school is currently fully enrolled for 2020, with around 185 boarders. Why do you think that is? What feedback do you hear as to why parents want to send their daughters here? LF: I would put it down to three things: culture; community; and connection. It is a very inclusive community, where we work in close partnership with the parents, who are our best

Q: Let’s talk about who we refer to as our “specialist boarding staff”. What does this mean? LF: Our staff undertake duty of care training through the Australian Boarding Schools Association. We do cultural diversity training, because we do have a diverse community, so understanding how to give the best care to girls from graziher.com.au

all different backgrounds is really important to us. We also do youth mental health training, alongside the more obvious things like first aid. We encourage staff to pursue professional development in different areas of wellbeing. For example, our Pastoral Care Coordinator undertook a yoga course, so she could teach yoga to the girls. Many of our boarding staff also have a teaching background, so they are very adept at monitoring and assisting with the girls’ academic progress, alongside their wellbeing. Q: St Margaret’s is a full-time boarding school. Why is that attractive to families? LF: Most of our girls come from places at least five or six hours away, and they can’t go home on a weekend, so we have an excellent activities program which really builds a positive culture and strong boarding community. It also means that on a weekend you’re not left with only a few girls in the boarding house; there will always be upwards of 120 girls in the house each weekend. Whilst our day parents are fantastic hosting our boarders for a day or weekend, there are still lots of girls on any given weekend, with plenty of activities planned if they wish to participate, or they make their own fun with their many friends still residing in the house. 12

Q: Food is always a topic on everyone’s lips when discussing boarding. How do we rate? LF: The kitchen staff are amazing. We are very lucky to have a top chef running the kitchen, and he and his team really listen. For example, our Chinese girls in boarding pointed out they prefer a different type of rice to what we would normally eat, so the kitchen now cooks two different types of rice. We cater for different allergies and religious preferences, as well as the different nutritional needs in terms of sport. In 2020 we had a swimmer at an Australian level, so the kitchen would cook her the meals the coaches were recommending. I think that’s one of the advantages of having our own chefs here, who can work with us in the boarding house to ensure everybody’s needs are met. We also send out a whole term’s menu to parents, so they can see the choices available to their daughters. St Margaret’s is hosting its annual Open Day on Saturday 6th March from 9:30am, with boarding house tours available. Register online: www.stmargarets.qld.edu.au/ admissions/open-day-2021 or contact the admissions team via email: admissions@stmargarets.qld.edu.au or call (07) 3862 0777. Regional tour dates can be found on the website at www.stmargarets.qld.edu.au/boarding/regional-tours

2020

AUSTRALIAN EDUCATION AWARDS

Strong Start ANGLICAN CHURCH GRAMMAR SCHOOL (CHURCHIE)

STARTING AT BOARDING SCHOOL can be a daunting experience. However, for boarders at Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie) in Brisbane, the transition to boarding is nurtured with support and facilities designed especially for Year 7 - providing a strong start to boarding life. We asked five Year 7s to reflect on their first year in boarding at Churchie. For more than a century, Churchie has held boarding at the heart of its community. Churchie’s boarding precinct is located in the heart of an inner-city campus in East Brisbane. In addition to Goodwin and Gerald boarding houses, a third building, Donaldson, is home to all Year 7 boarders. This purposefully designed residence allows boys to settle into boarding life with their peers, forming strong bonds that will develop into lifelong friendships. Director of Boarding Jason Wynne-Markham believes the Year 7 experience is a great success. “When the boys first arrive, they are nervous - as you would expect as a 12-year-old boy,” he said. “However, being a separate area, the Year 7s become confident young boys, and that supports them when they join the main boarding houses in

Year 8.” Reflecting on his recent Year 7 experience, Riley Wondergem enjoyed living in Donaldson with his mates. “Since we’re all together, we get to know each other better. It’s been good,” he said. Fellow Year 7 Louis Brown welcomed the quieter atmosphere of a Year 7 house. “It’s easier to go to sleep, because it’s quieter than the other houses. Here, we turned the lights off at 9,” he said. Another initiative that has helped the Year 7 students settle into boarding life is the Year 12 buddy program. Year 7 students are assigned a Year 12 buddy to help them, particularly, during their first crucial few weeks in boarding. They are a friendly face, who can answer their questions about boarding and school life. Lochlan Fraser said, “My buddy helped me get ready and showed me around the school. It took me a day or two to feel settled into what was happening and to know the routine.” Housemothers provide an additional, crucial, level of support graziher.com.au

STRENGTH IN COMMUNITY Boarding has been an integral part of Churchie since the foundation of the school. At the core of our boarding experience is a sense of community.

to the boys. They help the boys find their feet, providing for many of the day-to-day needs. Roly Arnell loves having a housemother. “For a lot of people, leaving home and leaving their parents is a really hard thing, so having another mother that takes care of you is very good,” he said. “They take really good care of you, and they’re kind.” Housemothers also provide a lot of the home comforts that the boys miss while living away from their families, for which Riley is thankful. “If you ever need anything sewed on, they can help,” he said. “On the weekends, they make toasties for us and we usually do some cooking with them, like making scones, which is good.”

“We go up to the library every night for prep,” Roly said, “so you can get lots of help from teachers, and you can read books and improve your academics.” Weekends and afternoons offer plenty of opportunity for leisure and fun. “One cool thing is the recreation program, where you can put your name down to do fun activities,” Louis said. “We’ve been go-karting, visited trampoline and water parks, and played laser tag. We’ve gone to watch footy games as well.” Anson Qu said, “There are also many recreation activities available on campus, such as working out in the gym, fishing in Norman Creek, playing basketball, swimming in the pool and playing footy on the ovals.”

Louis also appreciates the homely comforts from his housemother.

Riley’s advice for future students is to make the most of all opportunities.

“They make you a cake on your birthday, and remind you of things just as your mum would,” he said.

“Come and don’t make a waste of it,” he said. “Take everything in; do everything you can.”

Mr Wynne-Markham says that staff recognise the challenges that boarders face and enjoy caring for young men.

Roly has also been impressed by the opportunities at Churchie.

“With the right levels of support and guidance from staff, along with the positive relationships that our boys build with their peers, Churchie boarders develop a strong sense of belonging,” he said. “With belonging comes a sense of self and good self-esteem. It is only once we have this balance that a young man will fulfil his potential.”

“There’s a lot of sporting opportunities, academic, music … so you can do whatever you want really and try lots of new things,” he said.

Staff are also available to assist the boys with their academic work, with teachers providing extra assistance during study time each evening. 16

Lochlan’s advice for new boys is not to be nervous. “The Year 12s look after us,” he said. “If you just relax and follow the routine, you’ll be fine.” To find out more about boarding at Churchie, visit www.churchie.com.au/boarding

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To g e t h e r, W h e n A p a r t THE ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL

THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR is a time of celebration for the Werth family in Central Queensland, with their children returning home from boarding school for the holidays. Rosie and Bill Werth have called “Bracklyn” home for the past six years, a 33,000 acre property between Moura and Bauhinia, where they currently run around 1,800 head of Droughtmaster cattle. 2020 was a year of adjustment for Rosie and Bill, with their youngest child, Jill (Year 8) also going off to boarding school, along with siblings Rena (Year 11) and Ben (Year 12). “It’s definitely a lot quieter,” Rosie said. “Your life changes from keeping busy and doing things day-to-day with the kids, to now being flat out around the property all day. “We rely on them (Ben, Rena and Jill) so much when they come home; and we’re lucky that they all love the property, horses and cattle-work.” When the Werth family is reunited at home, they all jump back into their favourite things. Jill and Rena will be out on the property sourcing panels to make another yard, or can be found riding and training their much-loved horses. Ben is up at daybreak, ready to get stuck into any jobs he can, whether that’s driving the dozer, fencing or cattle work. “Ben even welds up all the gates and corner assemblies for

the fence, using skills learned in his Certificate II course in Engineering at school.” Mustering was high on the agenda for the Werth family after Christmas, with Jill and Rena on horseback and Ben mustering on his motorbike. “It would have been too big of a job for just the two of us,’’ Rosie said. “They work nearly every day of the holidays.” It’s not all work, though, for the Werth children when they are home from school. They also love exploring the property’s sandstone ranges and swimming in the permanently flowing Roundstone Creek. Boarding school was always on the cards for the Werth children. While Bill completed his schooling at a state high school, Rosie always wanted her children to experience being a boarder, just as she did from her family home near Rolleston. “It was hard when Jill left, but she was happy to be going to boarding school,’’ Rosie said. “It wasn’t as daunting as sending the first one (Ben). He was so tiny and I kept asking myself, ‘How did I let him go?’” Opportunities, friendships and getting more organised have all been key ingredients to Ben, Rena and Jill enjoying their boarding school experience at The Rockhampton Grammar School. The long-term benefits have outweighed the heartache at home.

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“They have access to so many things they can’t get at home, like socialising more with friends, there’s more co-curricular activities, and they have access to a good quality education,’’ Rosie said. Finding a co-educational school was always the only option. “I like that they are there (at school) for each other, but at the same time they are leading their own lives with their own friends and interests. I don’t think they are living in each other’s pockets,’’ Rosie said. “Also, logistically everything lines up with them being at the same school with things like the same holidays. They all did rowing this year, so it was nice to watch them all compete at the same regatta.” Rosie said she always wanted her children to be in the same place. “It’s reassuring for me knowing they have each other close by when they are away from home before we can all be back together again on the property.” Learn more about joining the thriving boarding community at The Rockhampton Grammar School: www.rgs.qld.edu.au

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Like a Village STUARTHOLME SCHOOL

IN MANY WAYS Stuartholme feels like a village; it is a highly relational, inclusive educational community, where everyone knows and cares for one another. The boarders live and learn in a spectacular home, steeped in history, overlooking the cityscape of Brisbane and surrounded by the natural bush of Mt Coot-tha Reserve. Our boarders have been the heart of the school community for over 100 years. Located six kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD, Stuartholme is Brisbane’s only Catholic boarding school for girls in Years 7 to 12. The Boarding House is home to 120 boarders, who are mainly from rural and remote Queensland. Dean of Boarding, Karen Davies, has over 30 years’ experience in education and is passionate about the care provided to every boarder. “I am humbled by the trust given to us by our boarding families to love and care for their daughter. The boarding house staff feel it is a privilege to walk alongside the girls as they settle into their new home at Stuartholme. They nurture our boarders to grow in confidence every day. Our sense of belonging and community is our most treasured quality of our Stuartholme Boarding House.” In the classroom, Stuartholme has Australia’s leading educators and offers an extensive and progressive curriculum. Recognised as one of Australia’s innovative schools, the curriculum engages students to equip them with the skills to

lead and learn with confidence beyond the classroom. As a School of the Sacred Heart, we are committed to educating the whole person. Co-curricular activities provide opportunities for girls to learn outside of the classroom, to discover, develop and value their talents, to grow in selfconfidence and to develop lifelong skills and relationships. We believe that the physical and social growth of each student is an integral part of school life. Stuartholme’s cocurricular program includes a diverse range of sports, the arts and a comprehensive range of enrichment and academic extension programs. Stuartholme works to optimise success for all students through an individualised approach to student learning. This is enhanced through the SPARK Enrichment Program, which provides extended learning opportunities for high potential students. The boarding house offers comprehensive and contemporary academic care, which includes the provision of leadership programs, academic tutoring, and study skills program. As in the day school, the Stuartholme Boarding House combines academic care with cutting edge wellbeing approaches, to empower our students with all the learning and thinking skills and capabilities which enable them to flourish. graziher.com.au

FIND OUT WHAT DEFINES A STUARTHOLME EDUCATION • • • • • • • • • •

2020 Innovative School finalist - The Educator 2020 Best Professional Learning Program finalist - Australian Education Awards 2020 Stuartholme staff announced in Most Influential Educators “Hot List” - The Educator Member of the Agribusiness Gateway to Industry Schools program (AGISP). Consistently high academic results - 45% of students received an ATAR of 90 and above, with a median ATAR of 89. Consistently outstanding sporting results across cross country, swimming and equestrian World class cutting edge Social Justice Program incorporating civic advocacy, social enterprise and volunteering Wise Wellness - an integrated wellness program committed to educating the whole person SPARK - enrichment program for high potential learners Technologies, STEM/Robotics

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The Band of Brothers ST JOSEPH’S NUDGEE COLLEGE How one of the oldest Catholic all-boys boarding schools in Brisbane welcomes and supports its new boarders.

GOING TO A NEW SCHOOL can be a stressful time for many students, let alone starting to board for the first time. St Joseph’s Nudgee College understand that this can be a huge adjustment and change for boys and families. However, with their 130 year history of housing 300 boarders from regional, rural and remote Australia and overseas, Nudgee College strive to make the transition as seamless as possible. Newly appointed Dean of Boarding Sean Toovey said that the college has many support programs in place, inside and outside of the classroom, to welcome new boarders into the community - especially those starting in Years 7 and 8. Even with an abundance of staff, including nurses, psychologists and councillors, house mums and supervisors to help the boys, the college has found that the one of the biggest support networks for new boarders are their fellow boarders. “On the first night, we have the Welcome Liturgy in the chapel for the new boarders and their families to meet the staff and other families. Following the chapel, our Year 12 boys take the new students to Ryan Hall, one of the spiritual hearts of the school and have a one on one moment with them. Rituals like this are so important to the bond in the boarding village and make the new boys feel a part of the community,” said Mr Toovey. A new initiative from last year saw some boys from a variety of year levels step into a leadership role within their boarding village. Boarding Prefects are elected to bring the boys together and let their voices be heard by the staff. “This was a very successful project last year, which we will be carrying out for years to come. A prefect is elected graziher.com.au

in each of the boarding houses and is the representative of the boys. They can come to us with any come concerns or recommendations and just be the go-to man for the students.” The shift from primary to high school learning can be a large hurdle for some students. But with the aid of teachers, A Team Tuition and the Reach for the Stars homework program, boys are assisted in their studies and academic pursuits. Seminars on essay writing, exam preparation and homework help are available to students ease their anxieties of starting high school studies. Nudgee College offers an array of different diverse learning opportunities for students to grow their talents and broaden their set of skills. While boarding does have an academic advantage, it is not all work and no play. An activities coordinator organises leisure activities on and off of the college campus, giving the boys the opportunity to relax and socialise. Mr Toovey said the boys are encouraged to take advantage of the activities. “These activities help the boys not only find a routine, but also allow them come out of their shells in a safe environment and mingle with boys from other years.” Nudgee College creates a safe, secure and connected cohort of boarders. While the day boys have their big brother to lean on for support, boarders in the younger grades have a plethora of resources available to them to support them in their transition into boarding life. www.nudgee.com

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Sisters Sing School’s Praises ST PETERS LUTHERAN COLLEGE

MORE THAN JUST A HOME-AWAY-FROM-HOME, boarding at St Peters Lutheran College is a family - a quality that has helped countless boarders make the transition from country to city life. The aim of every boarding school, undoubtedly, is to have its students consider it as a home-away-from-home. Often miles away from anything familiar, boarding schools act as an extended support network - a place where students can excel, both academically and in cocurricular pursuits, confident in the knowledge that the staff in the boarding house will have their back when needed. But when the support also extends from other boarding students, that’s when you get true “family” connections starting to form. This, certainly, is the experience of many St Peters boarding students, including the Kenny siblings from Llanarth Station, Charters Towers. Making the move down to the city was daunting for younger sisters, Gabby (Year 11) and Laura (Year 8), but, they both said, it was the familiar face of their older sister, Amelia (2019), that eased their transition. “It’s super comforting to be 12 hours away from home and still have a part of it with you,” Gabby said. She was quick to add that, while that was how she and graziher.com.au

Laura got through their first few days, it only takes a week before any St Peters boarder can confidently add another 100 siblings to their immediate family list. “Being a day kid, you sort of only know the people in your year level, but being a boarder, you have connections with every age level,” Gabby said. “The younger girls and the older girls, there are definitely no walls between us, and everyone’s very approachable.” Laura agreed, adding that the sisterhood within girls boarding was one she knew would last forever. “We all have great friendships,” she said. It’s a sentiment echoed by countless boarders at St Peters, including 2020 Senior, Jaymie Raleigh. Originally hailing from Weipa in Far North Queensland, Jaymie said initiatives like St Peters’ “Boarding Family Groups” - small, mixed year level groups that replicate a family unit - complete with a grandparent (boarding resident), a parent (a Year 12 boarder), and children (students from all year levels) were what got her past the initial home-sickness stage. “What I love about boarding at St Peters is the strong sense of community and having so many sisters in one place,” she said. “Just having a place where you can always feel welcome, supported and respected.” Jaymie added that, unlike the Kennys (who had each other), it was the co-ed aspect of St Peters that really helped her to settle in. “I have brothers and cousins, and growing up around them was a really big part of my life,” Jaymie shared. “Having the boys here as well, they become like your brothers ... so, not 32

just in girls boarding, but in boys boarding too, you make lifelong friends.” Jaymie, Gabby and Laura shared that the “family” aspect within St Peters Boarding stemmed from the head - from the Boarding Coordinators and Senior Boarding Residents. “There’s a lot of help available,” Jaymie said, “with tutors, study, sport, just everything really. If you need a shoulder to cry on, or if you need something for school urgently, [St Peters Boarding] staff are always there to help.” “At the moment, I’m doing softball,” Laura added. “One of the mistresses is the Coordinator for Softball, so every morning, she gets us up and supports us through our training.” 2020 Senior, Aimee Ogunseye, echoed her boarding sisters’ praises of staff and the level of support St Peters boarders receive. “There’s lots of it!” she said. “Our mistresses are involved in sport coaching, we have access to music rooms, and [a lot of the staff] have been to university or are teachers themselves, so they’re all very equipped to help us with our studies.” “The boarding house also brings in qualified tutors from the wider community,” Aimee added. “They go through a tutoring agency and source them for us like our parents would if we were at home.” St Peters accepts students into boys and girls boarding from Year 6 onwards. For more information about the support available to our boarders, or how our coeducational boarding college operates, visit: www.stpeters.qld.edu.au/indooroopilly/boarding

WHERE IT’S YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Suppor�ng rural families for 75 years P - 12 Co-educa�on | Boarding Years 6 - 12 Boarding places available for 2022 and 2023 Contact Enrolments on enrolments@stpeters.qld.edu.au or +61 7 3377 6236

stpeters.qld.edu.au

JOFF, CATH, LOUIS AND OLIVIA CANNINGTON ARE ALL INVOLVED IN THE FAMILY BUSINESS.

A Fa m i l y Education THE ARMIDALE SCHOOL THE ARMIDALE SCHOOL - ALL THE BENEFITS OF A WHOLE FAMILY EDUCATION DESTINATION

JOFFREY CANNINGTON enjoyed his time boarding at The Armidale School in the 1980s, but he could never have imagined that one day he would be able to send his daughters there, as well as his sons. He says the school’s introduction of full co-education five years ago has allowed TAS to become a single family education destination, with all the logistical, pastoral, financial and social benefits that come with it. “For regional families in particular, it means being able to attend one swimming carnival, one speech day, and being part of one school community. It just makes it so much easier for us to support our children, being at the one school,” says Joff, who with his wife, Cath, operates Compressed Air Light and Power, a rental and construction business based at Moree. Indeed, it has also allowed their children, Hamish (who left in 2019), Louis (Year 12) and Olivia (Year 10) to look out for and support each other - whilst each retains their independence. “Co-ed makes learning more enjoyable, but also allows for frequent interactions with my brothers and other boys; it’s just a more natural and friendly environment,” says Olivia. “Being a smaller school gives greater opportunity for all students to participate - but not so small that we can’t all do our own thing and develop our own identity.” Olivia said being a regional school, TAS was less-impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic than her city educated peers, with sporting competitions continuing, as well as the end of year Activities Week involving cadets, surf lifesaving and Rural Fire Service training. What’s more, by going to a school in the same state as her home, there were no added complications during COVID border restrictions. Elder brother Louis has taken full advantage of life at TAS, graziher.com.au

LOUIS CANNINGTON IS PRESENTED WITH HIS LEADERSHIP BADGES BY HEAD OF SCHOOL ALAN JONES.

and starts Year 12 as a school prefect, vice captain of athletics, swimming and music and is a CUO in the cadet unit, the third oldest in Australia. “For a regional school, TAS has its own outstanding facilities, yet we are also able to compete against our fellow GPS schools, engage at representative level in sport, and also take part in major challenge events like the City to Surf and the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic,” he said. Because more than half of all senior students are boarders, there are also strong relationships across normal divides. Middle School (Years 6 - 8) girl and boy boarders have their own boarding houses, whilst Years 9 - 12 students live in one of three senior boys houses or the recently built girls’ boarding house. “There’s a collaborative culture with strong, supportive and trusting relationships between staff and students and also between students across year groups. TAS students are pretty well-grounded, probably because most students are from the country,” Louis believes. For Joff and Cath, this “well-groundedness” is just another thing that they believe sets their children up well. “Looking out for others, whether they be your siblings, friends or others is so important in life. The fact that they have all taken advantage of so many opportunities has been nothing short of a tremendous experience for our family,” said Joff. www.as.edu.au 36

The one for all.

Enrolments are now open at one of Australia’s leading independent boarding schools, The Armidale School. The Armidale School, situated in New England NSW, is one of Australia’s leading independent boarding schools. TAS is also much more than just a school - it’s the one for all. It is the one for academic choice, sport, boarding, creative arts, adventure and it’s also the one for community. As a vibrant and dynamic co-educational school, that achieves consistently high academic results, TAS provides all students, from Transition to Year 12, with a dynamic and vibrant environment to grow and learn. And with more than 125 years of boarding experience your child will feel not just inspired but at home. To make TAS the one for your son or daughter talk to Jo Neilson our Enrolments Registrar on 0425 222 317 and discover all the benefits of a TAS education.

VISIT WWW.AS.EDU.AU FOR YOUR VIRTUAL TOUR

Care@Clayfield C L AY F I E L D C O L L E G E AT CLAYFIELD COLLEGE, we are committed to the wellbeing of each individual in our community. The approach we take to strengthen wellbeing is part of our Care@Clayfield whole school wellbeing framework, which is a multi-pronged approach to the care of all students. There are two dimensions to this approach: through the vertical House Hub, which focuses on creating connections and a sense of belonging; and the horizontal Year Level Hub, which is facilitated by Heads of Year who have responsibility for the personalised care of the students within their cohorts. The Care@Clayfield framework is extended to boarding, where the care, safety and wellbeing of your daughter is at the heart of everything we do. We offer a boarding experience that supports her physical, social and mental wellbeing. An experienced, passionate and committed Boarding House Supervisor is responsible for each year group, whose primary role is to keep the girls in their care safe, healthy and happy and to encourage them to be socially responsible Your daughter will have academic support available for her structured and supervised Prep sessions each evening, Sunday to Thursday, which will assist her to form good learning habits. In addition, teaching staff visit the boarding house on a weekly basis, to provide further assistance. 38

Our college’s registered nurse visits the boarding house each morning to check on any unwell students and determines if further treatment and an appointment are required. Boarding house staff will always accompany your daughter to her appointments and communicate with you on updates. A psychologist visits once a fortnight to discuss any issues, no matter how big or small, including settling in and homesickness. Your daughter will experience a holistic recreation programme that is designed to provide opportunities for her to relax and socialise and also to experience new activities and experience life in South East Queensland. Outings include trips to the beach, Southbank, museums, ice skating, theme parks, shopping and socials with other boarding schools. Girls are also involved in various sporting and recreational undertakings outside of the co-curricular activities on offer at our college, such as horse riding, dancing, representative and club sport and rowing. Our boarding house staff personally transport girls to these outside activities wherever possible at no charge to you. Care@Clayfield allows your daughter to feel safe and valued, which will improve her wellbeing. This creates a context within which she will then be able to succeed. clayfield.qld.edu.au

A place of belonging, opportunity and connection. Rural and remote scholarships available. Enquire now to secure your place!

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Clayfield College

Leading the Pack GEELONG COLLEGE STEPHANIE WILLIAMS LEFT HER NT home, aged 11. She left her mum and sister, for the opportunities an education down south presented. Little did she know that after three years at Worawa Aboriginal College in Healesville, that a Smith Family Scholarship would bring her to Geelong College and then to the Geelong Cats as the college’s first listed AFLW player. Steph describes her childhood memories of football as mixed. While she loved kicking anything she could find on the ground, she hated what football stood for, in her mind. “I loved all sport, but we never really had the time or money for all the sports that I wanted to play. I hated football though; up north at the time all I could relate footy with was alcohol and violence.” It all changed when her friend invited her for a kick of the footy when she arrived at Worawa, where they had a girls’ footy team. “My friend changed my whole view. When we were out 40

kicking the footy, she told me I was good at it and asked me to be on the team, so I thought, ‘Whatever’, and I did.” From there, Steph began to turn heads with her dashing game style and natural talent. “Eventually I got really good, and people noticed. I started playing in different teams in Victoria and the NT. I found I loved it because of the sisterhood, looking after and celebrating each other.” After just two years at Geelong College, in her final year Steph was the Mossgiel Captain, a prefect and Captain of the Inaugural College AFLW team. “I loved it all. Being a leader was good: I didn’t know if I could do it, but obviously I did! Being a part of the first girls’ footy team was awesome, because it’s a real change for our school. Football is now a girls’ and boys’ sport, just like it is everywhere else.” After her 2019 season was disrupted with injury, and she was devastated by the passing of her sister, Steph was unsure if footy was for her after all.

“I didn’t really play footy that much; I put on a bit of weight, I was eating a lot of cookies and getting a bit sad, and I didn’t know if footy was going to be my thing anymore.” And then COVID-19 hit, and seasons, games and draft combines were cancelled, so Steph headed home for four months and decided to hit the training track, hard. In those last few games in Geelong, recruiters had noticed her, and her form in the NT backed up what they saw. Fast forward to 6th October in the girls’ boarding house, and a nervous Steph is watching a live stream of the draft, waiting for her name to be called, and hoping she will get to stay in her adopted home of Geelong. “I kept thinking, ‘I hope they still want me’, because they were calling out all these other girls’ names. I thought, ‘What if they don’t want me, or if they don’t get me in time, someone else might … or someone else might not …’ But then 27 came, and I thought they might pick me and that it would be cool, because I was born on the 27th of January. Then they said my name, and I just started crying. It is a dream come true; I didn’t think it would ever happen, and I’m still pinching myself. I think I will be for the next two years.” www.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au

Boutique boarding at a leading Victorian school. Challenge yourself, develop independence, excel academically, and make lifelong friends. 2021 Open Days Wednesday 11 March, 26 May and 20 October. www.geelongcollege.v ic.edu.au or phone (03) 5226 3156.

Be of

COURAGE 160 YEARS STRONG

Reaching T heir Potential W H I T S U N D AY A N G L I C A N S C H O O L

BASED IN THE beautiful Mackay region, Whitsunday Anglican School is one of Australia’s leading regional schools, offering academic, co-curricular and personal growth opportunities that inspire our students to reach their potential. Whitsunday Anglican School is the only school to support coeducational boarding in our local region, and we are proud of our modern boarding facilities. Our boarding environment is deliberately smaller in student numbers, catering for 70 boarders, allowing for every student to be known, cared for and supported by our outstanding boarding team. Our Head of Boarding, Mr Brad Allen, is an experienced boarding educator, having grown up in rural communities and previously worked in boarding schools throughout Australia and the United Kingdom. All of our staff live with their children at the school, and this family environment is important to us. We recognise that boarding cannot replace being at home, but it should be a “home away from home”. This is how our students describe what boarding at Whitsunday is like 42

for them. A majority of our boarders come from the greater Mackay and Queensland area, enabling them to actively participate in both boarding and home life. We offer a chartered bus home for weekends servicing the surrounding areas of Moranbah, Clermont, Nebo and Eton. It’s the best of both worlds. We strongly believe in providing our boarders with the pastoral and academic support they need to approach their studies with confidence. This is why we have academic staff, who are teachers, working in our boarding community, providing our boarders with that critical academic support. Our school curriculum offerings are diverse, with global learning and service opportunities. Academic or vocational pathways enable our students to have the choice they need to be able to thrive in this incredibly disruptive globalised world, where the only constant is change. We are proud of the exciting careers that our boarders go on to establish for themselves. It’s a world class education, on your doorstep.

It is also important that our boarders are able to grow and develop personally in preparation for life beyond school. Developing the whole child is a core tenet of Whitsunday Anglican School. Our pastoral programs develop our students’ leadership, character, emotional intelligence and resilience. In the sporting realm, Whitsunday Anglican School have recently appointed a Coordinator of Athletic Development and Physical Wellbeing. Mr Kertesz has previously worked in performance roles with the NRL and Super Rugby with the NSW Waratahs. Our boarders enjoy his expert tutelage and attending morning gym sessions. Principal Mr Andrew Wheaton said choosing a boarding school for your child is an important decision for families. “At Whitsunday Anglican School you will find a place where your child will be supported to develop their character through a balanced and holistic education, as they grow into confident young men and women. This is realised through a close partnership with our boarding families.” We invite you to come and tour our school to meet our Principal, Head of Boarding, Head of Junior and Senior Schools and our boarding team, so that we can share with you what makes our school such a unique learning environment for our students. was.qld.edu.au

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From the Bush to the Beach S T H I L D A’ S S C H O O L

CLEMENTINE SWEETLAND ST HILDA’S SCHOOL HEAD BOARDER 2021 When I began as a boarder in 2016, I was a little rural girl, ready to take on her new life in the big smoke. I am now in Year 12 and will graduate and leave St Hilda’s Boarding later this year, with six years of significant memories and experiences that have shaped me as an individual and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. There have been challenges - homesickness, building friendships and learning how to be independent - but I wouldn’t change any of it for the world. My experience in boarding has taught me initiative, empathy and authenticity. At St Hilda’s, there are endless opportunities for girls. Whether in sport, music or academics, there are countless chances for girls to involve themselves and thrive. Additionally, there is so much support, especially within the academic facets of school life. It is amazing how much support the staff provide to allow girls to reach their full potential. This is what I am most grateful for, because involving myself as much as I could when I began as a boarder really helped me to become comfortable trying new things and distracted me from any homesickness I was feeling. Personally, I believe that the learned ability to overcome challenges will serve me the most in life after school, as it has 44

taught me to become more flexible as an individual. I have made friendships in boarding that are the most pure and meaningful and that I am certain will last forever. I met one of my best friends on my very first day of boarding, and we have been close ever since. In my final year I will be St Hilda’s School’s Head Boarder. I am looking forward to making 2021 a year of connection and one that is as enjoyable for the community as possible. The school community showed strength throughout 2020, with many ups and downs for boarding schools all over Australia. In 2020, despite having to adhere to restrictions, my friends and I still had one of the most enjoyable years of our schooling careers. I want this to continue for all girls in boarding, as it would mean so much if I knew I had made an impact in making 2021 a great year. My best piece of advice for girls looking at boarding is to take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself. It may seem daunting at first, but trust me - you will have the time of your life. Try your hardest at school, because your efforts will pay off. Make an effort to build strong relationships with friends and staff. But, most importantly, do what makes you happy. It is an experience you will remember forever. sthildas.qld.edu.au

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Independent, Compassionate, Confident ST VINCENT’S COLLEGE ST VINCENT’S COLLEGE IS A very busy and contemporary Catholic Independent School for girls in Years 7 to 12, located amidst some of Australia’s most expensive real estate and with aspirational views of the city and harbour. It would, however, be a mistake to classify St Vincent’s College simply by its postcode. The college is the diverse community who gather together, rather than its locality. In no small part because of the generations of families who have generously supported the college, it is able to keep its fees modest and offer a range of bursaries and scholarships. This diversity and accessibility has given St Vincent’s College an ethos of advantage rather than entitlement. Right from its foundation, the college has been committed to educating and nurturing young women who are competent - ready and skilled to live life to the full beyond graduation. Our Graduating Class of 2020 flourished despite the disruptions of COVID-19, and their outstanding academic results saw them offered an extraordinary range of tertiary courses, including the professions, the performing arts and some of the 46

new emerging technologies. By continuing to offer bursaries and scholarships, St Vincent’s College is committed to building its reputation for producing graduates who are independent in thought, compassionate in attitude and confident to act. Students from all areas of Greater Sydney can easily access the college by public transport and for those further afield, the college has a very well established and highly respected boarding house. Our boarding program provides a wonderful preparation for tertiary study in Sydney, with our residential students well supported through supervised study and access to tutors in the evenings. The easy access to before and after school activities, and the proximity to some of Sydney’s best recreational and educational infrastructure means the boarders have a very rich educational experience. We believe it is one that is particularly helpful in preparing a student for tertiary study at any one of Sydney’s renowned institutions of higher learning. Our boarding students performed well above expectations in the HSC exams and are now well prepared both academically and in their

independent living skills for their tertiary education. Our day and boarding students make great use of our location as an extension of their learning and recreational activities. They participate in a comprehensive Social Justice Program and enjoy the full range of sport, performing arts and oratory activities. St Vincent’s College has an enduring place in the history of Sydney and is the oldest registered girls’ school in Australia. The college website provides current and helpful information about academic and pastoral care, spiritual guidance, balanced cocurricular programs and the many other aspects of college life. We invite you to consider how our academic, boarding, music and drama scholarships might allow your daughter to join in the legions of Vinnies’ girls who have been educated at St Vincent’s College since 1858. Please visit stvincents.nsw.edu.au for more information on the College and our Scholarship opportunities.

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Home Away from Home S T U R S U L A’ S C O L L E G E FOR THE BRIEFFIES FAMILY of Sarina, attending St Ursula’s College, Yeppoon, has become a rite of passage. The eldest of Mary and Peter Brieffies’ seven daughters, Julie-Anne, commenced as a boarding student in 1996 and, over the past 24 years, Julie-Anne and her sisters, Tina, Kayleen, Christine, Elizabeth, and Bernadette Brieffies have all graduated from the college, with their youngest sister, Vicky, a member of the Class of 2021. “When I was in primary school, I remember looking through the college yearbooks and seeing all the activities the girls participated in, and I was so excited to be a part of that,” said Vicky. “Every year, for Presentation Evening (St Ursula’s annual awards event) we travelled from Sarina to Yeppoon and watched the musical performances, the dancing, the presentations; it was the best.” Vicky, 16, was among the first cohort at St Ursula’s to experience Year 7 entry to boarding (in recent times), which meant moving away from home earlier than her sisters had in previous years. “I started boarding at St Ursula’s just before I turned 12, in 2016,” said Vicky. “Part of me was excited to finally be at St Ursula’s, because all of my sisters had attended there, but it was hard, at first, to be away from home,” said Vicky. To assist students settle into college life, make new friends, and lead an active lifestyle, all boarding students participate 48

in a minimum of one co-curricular activity of their choice each year. “Between my sisters and I - over the past 24 years - we have participated in athletics and so many sports, musicals, ensembles, choir, Masses and faith activities, Interact Club, and debating, just to name a few,” said Vicky. Vicky will round out her St Ursula’s experience as College Captain alongside her classmate, Katie Russell. “The opportunities for leadership here are fantastic; we have multiple workshops to develop our leadership skills, and focus on Servant Leadership, so that we can best service our community,” said Vicky. “As leaders, we meet regularly with the Head of School, Principal, and Deputy Principal.” “Katie and I are committed to fostering the sisterhood, building it up through the different year levels and uniting everyone to feel the St Ursula’s spirit.” The Brieffies family have attended Presentation Evening, the college’s annual awards event, every year since 1996 and travelled to support their daughters at sports carnivals, competitive opportunities, and music festivals. “Twenty-four years of friends - young women from all around Queensland - and friendships that will last a lifetime; my girls are very proud to announce they are students, or past students, of St Ursula’s College, Yeppoon,” Mrs Mary Brieffies said. “As the mother of seven girls who were (or still is being)

educated at St Ursula’s College, I have packed, labelled, prepared uniforms, books, toiletries, bedding, clothing, and all the bits and pieces needed to make living away from home, feel more like home, for the past 24 years,” said Mrs Brieffies. “The girls cherish the sisterhood created at St Ursula’s, and the friendships formed during their school days. We are dedicated parents to the college that has supported and nurtured our daughters to become the women they are today.” St Ursula’s College is located within walking distance to local beaches and the Yeppoon Central Business District. The college’s boarding facilities are located on campus, and attracts families from around Queensland and interstate. Boarding students are transported to the college door from airport, bus or train terminals in Rockhampton, only a 30-minute drive from Yeppoon. Individualised support and positive encouragement are fundamental principles of boarding life, with activities and routines similar to a home environment. Enrolments for 2022 are currently being accepted. Visit our website at www.stursulas.qld.edu.au to lodge your application.

stursulas.qld.edu.au | #empowerU

life changing

EXPERIENCES begin here

An Opportunity toGrow ALL SOULS ST GABRIELS SCHOOL

AT ALL SOULS ST GABRIELS SCHOOL, boarders have been a vital part of the Souls community for over 100 years. Located in Charters Towers, Northern Queensland, on a spacious 120-acre campus, our school is an Independent Coeducational Day and Boarding School from Pre-Prep to Year 12, with boarding from Year 6. Boarding life at Souls offers students an opportunity to grow into confident learners, build self-confidence and develop lifelong friendships in a safe and inclusive environment. Souls has a proud history and traditions dating back to the 1920s, but is also forward-thinking with an innovative approach to education. We provide students with a firm grounding in the Anglican traditions of tolerance, respect, and dignity, with a true sense of reverence and care for ourselves and each other. Every day, our school community lives out its motto: “Servire Regnare”, to serve is to reign - this is something we take great pride in. 50

Souls provides a comprehensive, tailored education for its students and prides itself on the exceptional opportunities our students participate in and are passionate about. We are a diverse school, with a blend of local students and students from all over Northern Australia. We have a residential community of over 220 students, staff and their families on campus, with three girls’ and three boys’ boarding houses. We offer a strong pastoral and support program, which is integrated across the day and boarding school. Our staff aim to create a friendly, “home away from home” atmosphere in which our boarding students can live happily and develop the necessary social skills and confidence to contribute to and become, future leaders in their communities. Our dedicated teaching staff assists our boarders, not only with their Prep (homework) but are also coaches for their sporting teams and other extracurricular activities in the Charters Towers community. Our staff are a great mix of

enthusiastic young teachers and experienced teachers, who work together co-operatively and are passionate about education. Souls offers a wide range of subjects which provide pathways to tertiary study, but also options in vocational training and apprenticeships, via our partnership with the Dalrymple Trade Training Centre. We encourage our students to engage in a wide range of activities, embrace new challenges and at times, to step outside of their comfort zone. Students are also offered a Cattle and Equestrian Club on Campus, opportunities to play club and representative sport, participate in specialist programs including SHEP and STEM, join our School Service Clubs Z Club or Leos Club, among other things. 2022 scholarship applications are NOW OPEN. In 2022, All Souls St Gabriels School will offer selected academic scholarships to students entering Year 7 and Year 11, and music scholarships open to secondary students. Scholarship application forms are available on the school website. To find out more or discuss your child’s educational options, contact our Head of Enrolments, Mr Jon Teichmann (Ph 07 4787 1433) or go to our website: www.allsouls.qld.edu.au

More than just a School, join the Souls family. ENROL Today for 2022 & Beyond

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www.allsouls.qld.edu.au | 07 4787 1433 | enrolments@allsouls.qld.edu.au 51

Reflections D A L B Y S TAT E H I G H S C H O O L’ S B U N YA C A M P U S

WITH THE YEAR CLOSING TO AN END, Year 12 students Isla Airs, Sara Wilson and Amelia Stevenson reflect on their time at boarding school and remember the fond experiences they had whilst boarding at Dalby State High School’s Bunya Campus. A year like no other (and hopefully not repeated), 2020 has brought about many challenges the graduating students had to face. From remote learning and all its technical hurdles to returning to boarding school with social distancing measures in place; one thing the girls had in common was that they were “in it together”. It is these friendships that made 2020 less difficult and eased the burden of COVID on all - friendships that the girls now reflect on and are grateful for. Sara, who comes from a sheep farming family and has been boarding since Grade 7, remembers her time as a positive experience with the usual ups and downs in between. 52

“Looking back, there were no big negatives; the facilities are amazing and campus staff supported me the whole way through my education, and it was the right choice for me to come to Bunya Campus”. Initially nervous, coming to a much bigger school allowed her access to extracurricular activities and academic subjects that just weren’t possible at her previous school. “There wasn’t a high school close to home, and we saw Dalby High as a good agricultural school. I had a friend come here previously and he spoke of his time here with positivity, so that made the choice so much easier.” Amelia, originating from Southern Queensland and a cattle farming family, wanted to try something new and of course, wanted to study agricultural subjects in senior. “I came from a small rural community close to the NSW border,

so it just made sense to come to Dalby and still be close to home.” Like most boarding students, she too was apprehensive at first. But, having an older brother also boarding made the transition so much easier. “Now that I’m in my final week of school ever, I think coming to boarding has helped me grow immensely, and it is perhaps the best choice I could have made for my education. It has brought me out of my shell and given me independence. It has allowed me to mature and take responsibility for myself.” A newcomer to the boarding experience, Isla was after a school that could challenge her academically, whilst also providing her with alternative options for extracurricular activities and vocational training. “Dalby High offered subjects that I wanted to study, which meant I had the same opportunities as kids from the city, plus also had the chance to study Agricultural Science and Manufacturing in a school that has a commercial farm. Manufacturing was not a popular option for girls, but I saw it as a means of gaining some valuable training that I knew I could put to good use”. Having picked up an apprenticeship after school with one of the country’s largest mining organisations, BHP, Isla is well prepared for a successful future.

“The subjects and opportunities I was afforded at school have allowed me to achieve this. I’ve learnt so much about how to relate to people and more importantly, how to understand others. Boarding at Bunya Campus helped me accomplish this.” With the mixed emotions of completing their high school years, the girls offer advice to the students coming through or are about to begin their boarding school journey. Isla says to her peers to “embrace the challenge, try new things and get involved” ,whilst Amelia encourages her fellow students to “not waste the opportunities that come your way”. Sara echoes those sentiments with, “Don’t be scared to try something new. You never know where it could lead you or what doors will open for you.” These girls graduate from Bunya Campus with their fellow classmates as the Class of 2020, a year never to be forgotten but also remembered for an amazing group of students who faced challenges and adversities never before seen within education. They have come out more resilient, motivated and confident that if they can overcome this challenge, they can overcome anything! Bunya Campus’ ethos of “Bringing boarding excellence to rural students” certainly applies to these three young rural women, and they could not be happier with the choice they made to be a Bunya boarder.

Dalby State High School Bringing boarding excellence to rural students

Have you made the right decision for your child’s academic future? Dalby State High, Bunya Campus opens up a world of opportunities for students from rural areas. Boarding positions are available for 2021 and beyond for boys and girls, years 7 to 12 It is never too late to make the switch and enrol at Dalby’s leading academic secondary school, that also offers exceptional weekly or term based boarding opportunities. For 2021 Dalby State High has reconceptualised their Academic Excellence Program with three Junior Secondary academies and reviewed their Senior Academic Program to ensure we are catering for all students across all year levels. Junior Secondary - STEM (Maths and Science) -

Aristotle (English)

- Aeschylus (Drama and Music)

Senior Secondary - Chronos (Years 10, 11, 12) -

New senior timetable structure to support ATAR students

Signature Programs: Innovate Ag including Cert III in Agriculture and Trade Futures which includes Formula student program

Call now to book your enrolment interview and tour to secure your child’s place at Dalby SHS, Bunya Campus.

Bringing boarding and state education excellence together, and to you.

Enquire today! (07) 4660 0333

admin@dalbyshsbunya.eq.edu.au

www.dalbyshs.eq.edu.au

463 Bunya Hwy

Dalby QLD 4405

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ALL SOULS ST GABRIELS SCHOOL All Souls St Gabriels School is located in Charters Towers, North West Queensland. Our school is an Independent Co-educational Day and Boarding School from Pre-Prep to Year 12, with boarding from Year 6. E enrolments@allsouls.qld.edu.au W www.allsouls.qld.edu.au FB AllSoulsStGabrielsSchool IG @allsoulsstgabrielsschool

ANGLICAN CHURCH GRAMMAR SCHOOL (CHURCHIE) Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie) is an independent school for boys from Reception to Year 12, with boarding offered from Year 7. E admissions@churchie.com.au W www.churchie.com.au FB AnglicanChurchGrammarSchool TW @acgsboarding

CLAYFIELD COLLEGE Boarding at Clayfield College is an incredibly rewarding experience, where your daughter will learn and grow in a safe, caring and supportive environment. E enrol@clayfield.qld.edu.au W www.clayfield.qld.edu.au FB Clayfield College IG @clayfield.college

DALBY STATE HIGH SCHOOL BUNYA CAMPUS Dalby State High, Bunya Campus provides a coeducation environment that brings boarding and state education excellence together, and to you. E bphar1@eq.edu.au W www.dalbyshs.eq.edu.au FB Dalby State High School

ST JOSEPH’S NUDGEE COLLEGE St Joseph’s Nudgee College, established in 1891, is a day and boarding boys school for Years 5 to 12 located in Brisbane’s north. E admissions@nudgee.qld.edu.au W www.nudgee.com FB St Joseph’s Nudgee College IG @stjosephsnudgeecollege

THE ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL Founded in 1881, The Rockhampton Grammar School is a co-educational boarding and day school catering for students from Prep to Year 12, as well as Early Learning. E registrar@rgs.qld.edu.au W www.rgs.qld.edu.au FB TheRockhamptonGrammarSchool IG @therockhamptongrammarschool

ST HILDA’S SCHOOL, GOLD COAST For more than a century, St Hilda’s School has provided an outstanding environment for girls’ education, delivering the highest standards in teaching, boarding and pastoral care. E enrolments@sthildas.qld.edu.au W www.sthildas.qld.edu.au FB StHildasSchoolGoldCoast IG @sthildasschool

ST MARGARET’S ANGLICAN GIRLS SCHOOL St Margaret’s, in Brisbane’s inner north, is an independent day and boarding school for girls from Pre-Prep to Year 12, named Boarding School of the Year (2019 and 2020). E admissions@stmargarets.qld.edu.au W www.stmargarets.qld.edu.au FB StMargaretsAGS IG @stmargaretsags

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ST PETERS LUTHERAN COLLEGE St Peters Lutheran College is the only co-educational boarding school in Brisbane. Catering for boys and girls since 1945 from Years 6 - 12, St Peters is a leading boarding school. E enrolments@stpeters.qld.edu.au W www.stpeters.qld.edu.au FB stpeterslutherancollege IG @plc.official

ST URSULA’S COLLEGE, YEPPOON St Ursula’s College, Yeppoon, is the only all Girls Catholic Boarding and Day Secondary School in Central Queensland. Boarding facilities on-site for Girls in Years 7 - 12. E ursulas@stursulas.qld.edu.au W www.stursulas.qld.edu.au FB stursulascollegeyeppoon IG @stursulasyeppoon

ST VINCENT’S COLLEGE BOARDING SCHOOL We are an independent day and boarding school offering a contemporary Catholic education for girls Years 7-12 with an ethos of advantage rather than entitlement. E registrar@stvincents.nsw.edu.au W www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au FB StVincentscollegepottspoint IG @stvincentscollege

STUARTHOLME SCHOOL Stuartholme School is Brisbane’s only Catholic Boarding School for girls. Our defining Sacred Heart Education leaves its mark and creates confident, exciting futures. E enrolments@stuartholme.com W www.stuartholme.com FB StuartholmeSchool IG @stuartholmeschool

THE ARMIDALE SCHOOL Academic excellence, outstanding residential life and a breadth of opportunities are hallmarks of The Armidale School, a co-educational GPS school in the New England region. E info@as.edu.au W www.as.edu.au FB TASarmidale IG @tasarmidale

GEELONG COLLEGE The Geelong College is a leading independent coeducational school from Early Learning to VCE, with boarding from Year 7. Our tightknit community of boarders welcomes students from across country Victoria and New South Wales, Melbourne, the towns surrounding Geelong and from overseas. E admissions@geelongcollege.vic.edu.au W www.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au IG @GeelongCollege

WHITSUNDAY ANGLICAN SCHOOL Bright futures begin here! Whitsunday Anglican School is located in Mackay, Queensland with classes from Kindergarten to Year 12. We also offer weekly and full time boarding for Year 5 - 12 students. E twl@was.qld.edu.au W was.qld.edu.au FB WhitsundayAnglicanSchool IG @whitsundayanglicanschool

WILDERNESS SCHOOL A world leader in girls’ education, Wilderness School is an independent ELC to Year 12 girls’ day and boarding school located in the heart of Adelaide. E info@wilderness.com.au W www.wilderness.com.au FB Wilderness School IG @wildernessschool_sa

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introducing

LIFE ON

TH E

LAND

a graziher podcast Telling the stories of the women who live in rural and regional Australia. We’ll be telling the beautiful moments, and we’ll be telling the real and raw moments. Now available on your favourite podcast apps: