Australian Boarding Schools Association

06/10/2026

Looking for something to do? Now's the perfect time to catch up on the lastest On Duty episode! 🎧

In this episode, we sit down with Kyle Langman, Director of Boarding at Toowoomba Anglican School.

Take a tour with Kyle through the TAS boarding world as he shares his journey in boarding, the importance of finding a healthy boarding balance, building a strong boarding community, finding the right staff, and understanding your ‘why’ and what you want to achieve.

Watch or listen to the full episode on your favourite platform:
🎧 ABSA Website: https://buff.ly/42Nfa00
🎧 Spotify: https://buff.ly/40yktik
🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://buff.ly/3CQLD9J

Catch up on the latest episode of On Duty now!

06/10/2026

Developing the next generation of boarding leaders ⭐️

On 27 October, boarders from across Australia and New Zealand will come together online for the 2026 ABSA Boarder Leadership Conference.

Working alongside Burn Bright, this online conference is designed specifically for Grade 10 and 11 boarders preparing to step into leadership roles within their boarding communities.

Boarders will hear from a range of leaders as they share their experiences, their ‘why’, the lessons they have learnt, and the moments that have shaped their approach to leadership.

Through engaging keynote sessions, practical learning and interactive activities, boarders will be encouraged to consider the kind of leader they want to be and how they can make a meaningful contribution to their boarding community.

📅 27 October 2026 | Online via zoom.
Registrations are now open. Register your boarders here!
https://www.boarding.org.au/training-academy/conferences/boarder-leadership-conference-2026/registration

02/10/2026

🎈 ABSA is 19! 🎉

Today we’re celebrating 19 years of the Australian Boarding Schools Association. 19 years of supporting, connecting and championing boarding communities across Australia and beyond.

Over those 19 years, boarding has continued to evolve, but one thing has remained at the heart of everything we do - the community.

The boarders who call boarding home, the dedicated staff who support them every day, and the incredible communities that make boarding such a unique experience.

We’re incredibly proud of how far ABSA has come and grateful to every school, staff member, boarder, partner and friend who has been part of the journey.

Here’s to 19 years – and to everything still to come! ❤️🎂

01/10/2026

Since July, hundreds of boarding professionals have been tuning in to ABSA webinars covering the conversations, challenges and opportunities shaping boarding right now.

So, we took a look at the numbers and pulled together our Top 7 Most Watched Webinars since June!

From navigating friendship fallout and supporting boarders through change, building meaningful relationships with our boarding families, to understanding the needs of Gen Z and Gen Alpha, nutrition, suicidality and looking ahead to the future of our sector - there’s a reason these sessions have been getting plenty of attention.

And the best part? They’re all available to watch on demand.

Whether you missed one, want to revisit a favourite, or are looking for some fresh professional learning for your boarding team, this is a pretty good place to start.

Head to the ABSA Webinar Platform here! https://absa.evexus.net/au

28/09/2026

24/09/2026

We love seeing boarders do cool things!! ⭐️💪

Brisbane Boys' College (BBC) boarders: 8 WALLABIES and a NZ BARBARIAN ⭐️ Well done to the BBC past and current boarders 💪

Congrats boys for your wonderful achievements! We wish them all the best competing for their state and country!

21/09/2026

Across a busy year in boarding, it can be easy to keep moving from one thing to the next without stopping to think about how we are actually using our time, energy and attention.

So, as we move forward, there are a few ideas worth holding onto…
👉 What are your Focus 5 – the things that genuinely deserve your attention?
👉 What is your Daily Do – the small, consistent action that keeps an important priority moving?
👉 Have you identified your Big Rocks and actually made space for them before the small rocks fill your calendar?
👉 Are you creating time for deep work, deep thought and deep rest – or simply responding to whatever arrives next?

Productivity isn’t about squeezing more into an already full day. It is about being intentional with what we give our time to, creating systems that support us, and recognising that sometimes making space is just as important as getting things done.

Daniel gave us plenty to think about this year – but the real value comes in what happens next.

So perhaps the question isn’t “How can I get more done?”
It’s “Am I making time for what matters most?”

Here’s to protecting the big rocks, sticking to the Daily Do, keeping the Focus 5 in sight - and occasionally remembering to unplug. 🙌

21/09/2026

And just like that… 12 Regional Symposiums are DONE! 🎉

Last week, Christchurch officially brought our 2026 ABSA Regional Symposium tour to a close - and what a way to finish! A huge thank you to St Andrew's College for hosting us.

From Toowoomba to Christchurch, we travelled across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, bringing boarding professionals together in 12 cities to learn, connect, share ideas and spend time with people who truly understand the world of boarding.

Now that we’re back at our desks, we hope everyone has put their learning into practice… that your Daily Do is actually getting done, your Focus 5 is keeping you on track, and you’re making time to organise those Big Rocks and Small Rocks before the boarding day inevitably has other plans! 😂

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us along the way, our wonderful host schools, partners and supporters, and of course Daniel Sih, who somehow survived all 12 stops with us!

12 cities. Two countries. One incredible boarding community.

Christchurch, thanks for helping us finish on a high.

That’s officially a wrap on the 2026 ABSA Regional Symposiums!

18/09/2026

https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/federal-government-urged-to-overhaul-isolated-children-allowance-amid-soaring-boarding-school-costs/news-story/8006ef34c3a4b55c79e863a14ece1677

Rural and remote families have called on the federal government to overhaul a key education allowance that has lost more than a third of its value since it was introduced in the early 1970s.