In recent weeks, our staff have had the joy of travelling throughout regional New South Wales, attending expos, meeting with current and prospective families, and experiencing the communities and hometowns that shape so many of our boarders. These visits are a reminder of the deep connection between KRB and the families who entrust us with their daughters’ education. Even amidst the challenges faced by many rural and regional areas, we have been struck by the warmth, generosity and spirit of the people we have met.

Our Director of Boarding, Mrs Danielle Fairthorne, recently spoke at the Sacred Heart Schools Conference in Brisbane about the importance of student voice in creating a culture of inclusion and excellence. Our boarding team, including experienced staff and health professionals, plays a vital role in supporting each of our 150 boarders. Whether managing individual needs or guiding broader routines such as mobile phone use or homework support, our staff are committed to ensuring that every student thrives, both in the boarding house and at school.

Each week, I see our boarders contributing meaningfully to every area of school life, from leadership and academics to sport and co-curricular activities. For many of our rural boarders, sport is a particularly strong source of connection, and they embrace the opportunities available to them with determination and joy. At present, around one quarter to one third of each secondary year level comprises boarders, with approximately 85 per cent coming from regional and rural areas. Their presence enriches our community in countless ways.

In a recent open letter, Amanda Ferrari captured the spirit of relationships nurtured in boarding communities across the country. At KRB, we see how boarding fosters meaningful exchange between city and country. Rural students bring with them a grounded, authentic perspective that expands the horizons of their city peers, just as Sydney offers new experiences and pathways for students from more remote areas. This mutual learning is visible in our community events, including City Country weekends and our Country Immersion Program, and in the growing number of day students who spend time with friends in the regions, whether on farms or in small towns. A quiet but powerful advocacy for regional New South Wales is alive within our school.

At the end of the school day on the last day of term, the father of one of our youngest international students was sitting patiently outside, waiting for his daughter to finish so he could accompany her home to Bangkok. Around him, there was the organised bustle of parents collecting their daughters for the holidays, yet his delight in seeing his Year 7 child was clear. A few weeks earlier, I had spoken to an older student about her journey home for the holidays, as I suspected it was the longest of any of our NSW regional boarders. Her trip was indeed the equivalent, in terms of time, to an international flight. We discussed the journeys of our younger international students and those from interstate. Her awareness of the community she lives in at school, and of the importance of the journey each student takes to and from Rose Bay, highlighted the connectedness of our community and the joy that the diversity of experiences brings to our school.

Boarding is a defining part of Kincoppal–Rose Bay. It reflects our values, our diversity and our belief in the potential of every student. We are proud of our boarders, of their resilience, their spirit and the journey they make to access a Sacred Heart education.

We look forward to connecting with more families in the months ahead. If you would like to see where we are headed next, please visit our upcoming events and field days page.We would love to see you if you are in the area.

Erica Thomas
Principal