Letters From Home

Amanda Ferrari
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Welcome to Letters from Home, a podcast dedicated to Australian boarding families. Hosted by Amanda Ferrari, the show explores all aspects of boarding life - from packing for the first time to life as a boarder & beyond. Amanda interviews graduates who share how boarding shaped their lives, with families about their journey to and through boarding school, speaks with schools about their unique programs, & hosts an annual "Nailing Homesickness" miniseries to help new boarders. Our podcast is essential listening for boarding families and staff, we welcome your feedback, reviews, & ratings.

  1. Go Floppy - Sarah Ryan’s Very Real Guide to Boarding School

    2D AGO

    Go Floppy - Sarah Ryan’s Very Real Guide to Boarding School

    As we continue our From the Vault series while travelling for our face-to-face Boarding Schools Expo events, this week we’re revisiting a conversation that feels especially meaningful in the lead-up to our Wagga Boarding Schools Expo. Sarah Ryan lives with her family on a Merino stud at Quandialla, not too far from Wagga, where she also runs her much-loved creative business, Quandialla Candle Co. In this episode, Sarah brings such a warm, honest and practical perspective to the boarding school journey, shaped by her own experience as a boarder and now as a parent of boarding school children. This conversation is full of the kind of real-life reflections that families researching boarding school often need to hear. Sarah talks about growing up in a small rural community, the realities of limited secondary options, long bus runs, the importance of keeping an open mind when researching schools, and why first impressions matter, but should not be the only thing families rely on. We also talk about the emotional side of parenting from afar. The first drop-off. The quiet house. The change in family dynamics when one child leaves for school. The way children grow through challenge, discomfort and learning to live alongside others. And then there is Sarah’s now unforgettable piece of advice for parents when things feel a little bumpy - go floppy. Not give up. Not stop caring. Just soften, breathe, work with the school, and resist the urge to turn every wobble into a crisis. For families in the Wagga region and beyond who are currently researching boarding school, this is a beautiful, reassuring and very real listen. It reminds us that the journey is rarely perfect, but with the right support, it can help our children grow in ways we might not expect.

    52 min
  2. From “Absolutely Not” to Thriving at Boarding School…The Rainy Day in Dubbo That Changed Everything with Robert Bevern

    MAY 14

    From “Absolutely Not” to Thriving at Boarding School…The Rainy Day in Dubbo That Changed Everything with Robert Bevern

    As we continue our From the Vault series while travelling for our face-to-face Boarding Schools Expo events, this week’s episode feels especially timely. We’re revisiting my conversation with Robert Bevern from Dubbo on the eve of our 2026 Dubbo Boarding Schools Expo - because Robert’s family story began at this very event. Boarding school had never really been on the radar for Robert, his wife Tracy, or their daughters. They were living happily in Dubbo, their eldest daughter Lily was enrolled locally for high school, and the idea of sending her away was certainly not part of any grand plan. Then came a rainy Saturday in Dubbo. With a bit of time on their hands, Robert and Tracy decided to walk through the doors of the Boarding Schools Expo, just to have a look. Lily was deeply reluctant, her younger sister was upset at the very thought of her going away, and as Robert shares so honestly, they had no idea what questions they were meant to ask. But that simple decision to stay open to possibility changed everything. In this conversation, Robert talks about moving from Sydney to Dubbo for what was meant to be a short country posting, falling in love with regional life, and then discovering that boarding school could offer Lily opportunities they had not expected, particularly through swimming, community and the right school fit. Since this episode was recorded, Lily has settled into her new boarding school and is thriving. This is a beautiful listen for families who are curious but unsure. It is a reminder that you do not need to have it all worked out before you arrive. Sometimes the first step is simply walking through the door and saying, “Tell us about your school.”

    46 min
  3. Just Go and Ask the Question – A Dubbo Mum’s Boarding School Journey with Lisa Green

    MAY 7

    Just Go and Ask the Question – A Dubbo Mum’s Boarding School Journey with Lisa Green

    While we’re travelling across regional Australia for our face-to-face Boarding Schools Expo events, we’re opening the vault and revisiting some of our favourite past conversations - the ones that still offer reassurance, perspective and encouragement for families considering boarding school. This week’s episode with Lisa Green from Dubbo is one of those conversations. When Lisa first joined me on the podcast, she and her daughter Ellie were standing right at the beginning of their boarding school journey. Lisa could see clearly that Ellie was a curious learner, hungry for languages, the arts and wider opportunities. But as a single parent, boarding school was only possible if scholarships or bursaries could help make it work. So Lisa did something many families quietly wonder about but aren’t always sure how to do. She came along to the Boarding Schools Expo and asked the question. What followed was a thoughtful process of exploring schools, comparing options, sitting scholarship exams and ultimately finding a place that felt like the right fit for Ellie’s learning, wellbeing and future independence. Since this episode was recorded, Ellie has settled beautifully into her new school and is embracing every opportunity that comes her way. And we are absolutely delighted that Lisa is now joining our Dubbo Expo concierge team this year, welcoming families as they arrive and offering the same reassurance she once needed herself. This conversation is especially meaningful for single parents and families who are unsure whether boarding school is financially possible. It’s a reminder that sometimes the first step is simply walking through the door and starting the conversation. https://boardingschoolco.com.au/

    33 min
  4. When Schools Travel the Distance Too - Why Access to Education Matters in the Bush: with Angie Nisbet

    APR 30

    When Schools Travel the Distance Too - Why Access to Education Matters in the Bush: with Angie Nisbet

    As we hit the road again for our face-to-face Boarding Schools Expo events, we’re dipping into the vault over the next few weeks to share some of our favourite past episodes - the ones that still speak so clearly to why we do this work and why these conversations matter. This week’s episode is one of those. It features Angie Nisbet, who many of you will remember from our Mount Isa event in 2024. Angie was such a genuine and generous supporter of that event, and since this conversation was recorded (actually just a few weeks ago) she has deservedly been named Queensland’s Rural Woman of the Year. We are so proud of her and thrilled that she’ll be returning to Mount Isa this year to host our Live Q&A panel. I wanted to bring this episode back because it captures so much of the heart behind our Boarding Schools Expo events. In this conversation, Angie and I talk about distance, about what it really means for rural and remote families trying to access educational opportunity, and about why it matters that schools travel too - meeting families where they live rather than expecting them to navigate unfamiliar cities and systems on their own. That is such a big part of our why. This episode also reflects the themes we explored at our Mount Isa event last year - connection, access, equity and the importance of creating spaces where families can ask questions, gather information and feel seen. If you’ve ever wondered what sits behind this work, or why we care so deeply about taking these events into regional and remote Australia, this conversation explains it beautifully. It is thoughtful, encouraging and a very worthy listen. Links mentioned: Married To The Land Podcast FarmHer Hands Agrifutures Rural Women's Award ICPA Queensland

    58 min
  5. After the Drop-Off - What Term 1 Really Feels Like (and Why It’s Normal) & What to Expect for Term 2: with Kirsty Wiggins

    APR 23

    After the Drop-Off - What Term 1 Really Feels Like (and Why It’s Normal) & What to Expect for Term 2: with Kirsty Wiggins

    Over the next few weeks, while we’re out on the road for our face-to-face Boarding Schools Expo events, we’re opening up the vault and sharing some of our favourite past episodes with you - conversations that still hold so much value for families researching, preparing for, or living through the boarding school journey. This week’s past episode is a really special one. Many of you will remember the beautiful conversation I recorded with my friend Kirsty Wiggins early last year about the grief that can come with the boarding school drop-off. It struck such a chord with listeners because it gave language to feelings so many parents carry quietly - the sadness, the worry, the ache of sending a child away, even when you know it is the right thing to do. This follow-up conversation was recorded at the end of Term 1 last year, and that is exactly why it feels so timely to revisit now. By this point in the year, the dust has settled a little and the reality of boarding life has started to show itself. Kirsty speaks with such warmth, honesty and generosity about what that first term can really feel like for kids and parents alike. We talk about how exhausting that first term can be, the pressure of new routines and expectations, the challenge of living in a busy shared environment, and the way some children come home carrying more than they can easily express. There is so much gold here, especially for families who are new to boarding school and still making sense of what their child might be feeling. It is practical, reassuring and deeply real. If you are looking for a conversation that reminds you to go softly, stay connected, and be that soft place to land, this one is well worth your time.

    27 min
  6. From the Archives: Peter Debus - The Very Personal Decision of Choosing Boarding School

    APR 16

    From the Archives: Peter Debus - The Very Personal Decision of Choosing Boarding School

    Peter Debus is the Managing Director of PrincipleFocus, a financial management and advisory business based in Dubbo NSW with branches in Sydney and Warren, servicing clients all over Australia. We're bringing this one back from the archives because honestly, it's just that good! When we first sat down with Pete, I wanted to talk about the decision he and his wife Virginia made to send their three children to boarding school from a regional centre that already had plenty of educational options on offer. What unfolded was something much richer. Some of Pete's responses really speak to an invisible pressure that many families carry - that feeling of obligation to repeat the opportunities their own parents gave them. We also got into the financial side of choosing boarding school (of course we did - Pete's an accountant!), and the very real conversations you can have with schools about what's on offer. Pete is an engaging sort of guy. Full of relatable stories. We covered visions for your children, cultural diversity, a place to call home, boarding school communities, and practical options for financial management through the boarding years. If you haven't heard this one yet, you're in for a treat. And if you have, it's worth another listen.

    31 min
  7. From Boarding School to Womn-Kind: Ruby Riethmuller Is Changing Lives

    APR 9

    From Boarding School to Womn-Kind: Ruby Riethmuller Is Changing Lives

    Ruby Riethmuller grew up on a farm outside Wagga Wagga and like many country students, the path to opportunity eventually led her to boarding school. In this episode of Letters from Home, Ruby reflects on those years and how they helped shape the person she would become. From discovering new passions and leadership opportunities to building the confidence to step outside her comfort zone, boarding school played a powerful role in opening doors she never knew existed. But it was years later, in conversations with friends about the pressures and struggles they had faced as teenagers, that Ruby realised something important - so many young people were carrying the same worries but felt unable to speak about them. That realisation led her to start Womn-Kind, an organisation supporting girls and gender diverse young people through school workshops, mentoring and a growing digital community. Today Womn-Kind has supported more than 35,000 young people across Australia, with more than 65 percent of their work delivered in regional, rural and remote communities. In this conversation Ruby shares her boarding story, the inspiration behind Womn-Kind and the powerful role schools and communities can play in helping young people feel seen, supported and confident in who they are. If you are an educator, school leader or parent who would like to bring Womn-Kind workshops into your school community, you can find Ruby’s contact details and website below. You might also enjoy listening to our episodes in “Nailing Homesickness”, where students share their own experiences of navigating the emotional side of boarding school life. Womn-Kind : Phone: +61 402 345 484 Email: ruby@womn-kind.com.au Website: www.womn-kind.com.au

    44 min
  8. When the Local Fit Isn’t the Right Fit: with Tina Clifton

    APR 2

    When the Local Fit Isn’t the Right Fit: with Tina Clifton

    A Gunnedah mum’s honest story of school refusal, confidence, and why regional boarding became the circuit-breaker. Tina Clifton is a Gunnedah mum of two boys, raising them on the land with horses, cattle, sheep and mixed cropping at the centre of family life. She’s also a veterinary surgeon, whose career has evolved from mixed practice, to intensive poultry industry, and now into a government role focused on technical and policy work. In this episode of Letters from Home, Tina speaks candidly about the reality behind a schooling pivot: the social mismatch that can happen even in a great town, the quiet kid whose confidence takes a dive, and the pressure that builds into school refusal and daily conflict. What follows is a moment many parents will recognise - a turning point, made quickly and with love. At our boarding school expo event in Tamworth, Tina and her husband handed their son something powerful: choice. From there, regional boarding became a “not too far, but far enough” solution - close enough to maintain strong ties to home, horses and campdraft weekends, while giving the boys the structure, discipline and peer group where they could belong. Tina also shares the part people don’t always say out loud: the unexpected grief of becoming an empty nester early, the shift in a household when the boys - and the farm helpers - are suddenly gone, and the emotional weight of phone calls that come at the end of a long day. If this conversation resonates, we also recommend listening to our episode with Dr Lisa Fahey, where we explore the emotional side of boarding transitions and how families can support their children - and themselves - through the change. Listen here! It’s an honest, practical and quietly emotional conversation - and one that will resonate with families navigating big schooling decisions.

    47 min
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About

Welcome to Letters from Home, a podcast dedicated to Australian boarding families. Hosted by Amanda Ferrari, the show explores all aspects of boarding life - from packing for the first time to life as a boarder & beyond. Amanda interviews graduates who share how boarding shaped their lives, with families about their journey to and through boarding school, speaks with schools about their unique programs, & hosts an annual "Nailing Homesickness" miniseries to help new boarders. Our podcast is essential listening for boarding families and staff, we welcome your feedback, reviews, & ratings.

Information

  • Creator
    Amanda Ferrari
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    120
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Amanda Ferrari
  • Show Website
    Letters From Home

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