Boarding back to its best grades, reports The Weekly Times Editor, Fiona Sheehan.

Availability in private school boarding houses has bounced back to full or near-full capacity for the first time since the covid pandemic.

Inquiry from rural and regional families as well as international students had increased significantly at school open days and promotional events in the past 12 months.

Schools contacted by The Weekly Times reported enrolments were strong and there had been no notable increases in families seeking fee support despite the current cost-of-living crisis, highlighting that education remained a priority for families.

St Catherine’s School interim principal 2024 Robert Marshall said in addition to its Rural Scholarship Fund, St Catherine’s School had also established a Hardship Fund, following the impact of covid on so many families.

“This initiative not only demonstrates the remarkable giving capacity of our school community but has set in motion an avenue to support families in need who would otherwise not be able to consider an education at St Catherine’s School,” Mr Marshall said.

“As a girls’ school, we are committed to nurturing and empowering young women. Supporting regional students through our Scholarship Program ensures young girls from across Australia have the opportunity to experience a St Catherine’s education.

“Regional boarding students enrich our entire school community with a wonderful diversity of experience and vibrancy. Our vision is to welcome as many rural students into our boarding house,
Illawarra, as we can.”

The St Catherine’s boarding house is not yet back to full capacity following covid but is currently at 90 per cent and fielding strong inquiry from regional families. “There is considerable interest in boarding at St Catherine’s School,” Mr Marshall said.

“This has been evident in our conversations with regional and international families at the many boarding expos we attended in 2023. As confidence builds once more, post-covid lockdowns, more families are exploring boarding options for their children.

“Overall, St Catherine’s experienced a 5 per cent growth in enrolments for 2024 with our Years 9, 10 and 11 availabilities limited to waitlist only.”