For many rural families, the decision to send a child to boarding school is one of the most significant choices they’ll make in their lives. At Churchie, this experience is one that the boys remember forever.
At Anglican Church Grammar School – commonly known as Churchie – boarding is more than just a place to stay during the term. It’s a vibrant and supportive community located on a spacious 22-hectare campus in East Brisbane, Queensland, where boys grow into confident and capable young men.
Angus and Chrissy Chandler have lived and breathed Churchie boarding for seven years. As parents of Will, who recently completed Year 12, and Tim, who graduated in 2023, they reflect on their time at the school and share their experience for families about to embark on their own boarding journeys.
As a parent, the decision to send your child to boarding school is not an easy one. We remember agonising over it: will boarding be the right fit for our family? Will our boys be happy? Will they make friends? Will someone notice if they are struggling?
More than anything, we wanted our kids to have a better boarding and school experience than we had. One where academics, sport, service and the arts would all be valued, and one where we, as parents, would have open and consistent communication with our children and the school. That is exactly what we’ve experienced. From real-time academic feedback to regular communication from staff, and WhatsApp groups that kept us connected when we couldn’t attend events, we’ve always felt part of the school and boarding community.
What we’ve seen since that initial drop-off has been nothing short of remarkable. Our boys have grown in confidence, resilience and inner strength, and they have developed a strong sense of self and responsibility. They have thrived academically and have been involved in various sports, service, cocurricular and house activities. They have found mentors among both teaching and boarding staff, role models in older boys, and have made true friends. The boarding house is not just a place to reside during the term; it’s a home away from home, a family and a support system.
We may not be with our boys day to day, but we still celebrate their milestones and achievements. We come and go on weekends when we can. We rely on other families, and we cheer from the sidelines. Above all else, we trust in the village that is Churchie Boarding.
To learn more about Churchie’s boarding program and how it can benefit your son, visit churchie.com.au/boarding or contact the admissions team at 07 3896 2200 or admissions@churchie.com.au.
To read more about boarding life at Churchie, click here.