SPECIAL REPORT BOARDING SCHOOLS
Homes away from home Boarding schools have come a long way in the past few decades, and now they really are a home away from home for country kids who need to leave the farm for their education. Words TONY BLACKIE
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any country people have vivid memories of boarding school life – and they often include a spartan boarding house existence and draconian security that would make the pandemic lockdowns look like a picnic. But the truth is that boarding schools and the way of life for young people attending them has changed a great deal, and today they really are a home away from home for most students. There are more than 28,000 children and teenagers currently boarding in Australia, and the numbers are
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THE FARMER
SEP - OCT 2021
rising as the facilities and education options provided by the schools increase. Add a greater focus on rural and farming career options to the mix, and boarding schools for families in regional areas become a sensible choice. Most of the boarding schools on offer are one of more than 148 independent schools currently providing boarding for more than 17,000 students. The spread of schools through regional NSW continues to increase, but the traditional boarding schools located in major centres (predominately Sydney and Canberra) are still the major venues for country boys and girls. Increasingly, the NSW education system and >
FRIEND S FOR LIFE
People who have experienced boarding school life often say that they will always remain close to the friends they made in school as they share such a strong bond. (Photo courtesy of Scots All Saints)
