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Supporting your child — and staying connected — as a Calrossy boarding family
The bags are unpacked. The beds are made.
Your child is officially settled into boarding school.
For many Calrossy families, this moment brings a mix of emotions — pride, excitement, relief… and a quiet question that lingers once the goodbyes are done: what do we do now?
At Calrossy, we know that starting boarding is not just a transition for students, but for parents too. While routines begin to form quickly within the boarding houses, it’s completely normal for homesickness, tiredness and emotional ups and downs to surface — for new boarders and families — especially in the early weeks.
“Boarding is a significant step in a young person’s life,” says Mrs Courtney Coe, Head of Boarding.
“Some students settle very quickly, while others take a little longer. What matters most is that they feel supported — both here at school and by their families at home.”
Homesickness: normal, expected and temporary
Homesickness is one of the most common experiences for new boarders. It often appears in waves — stronger in the first few weeks, easing as friendships and routines form, and sometimes reappearing later in the term when students are tired.
Parents can help by:
- Acknowledging that homesickness is normal
- Reassuring their child that it won’t last forever
- Avoiding panic if emotions surface during phone calls.
“It’s important to remember that a tearful call doesn’t necessarily mean your child isn’t coping,” Mrs Coe explains.
“Often, it means they feel safe enough to share their feelings with you.”
Staying connected — without holding them back
One of the biggest adjustments for parents is learning how to stay connected when your child is living away from home.
At Calrossy, we encourage families to:
- Establish regular, predictable contact (such as a weekly call or video chat)
- Keep conversations positive and encouraging
- Resist the urge for constant daily contact in the early weeks, which can sometimes intensify homesickness rather than ease it.
A helpful tip is to end conversations by sharing highlights — perhaps “three good things” from the day — to help your child refocus on the positives of boarding life.
Use The Hub to stay in the loop
One of the best ways for parents to feel connected to boarding life at Calrossy is through The Hub.
By regularly checking:
- The Hub Calendar
- The Boarding tile
- Photo galleries
- Year Pages.
Parents can see what their child is experiencing day to day — from activities and weekend programs to special events and shared moments within the boarding houses.
“These updates are not just about information,” says Mrs Coe.
“They’re about connection. When parents can see what’s happening, it reassures them — and it helps conversations at home feel informed and meaningful.”
Photo galleries in particular allow families to share in their child’s boarding experience, helping bridge the physical distance.
Tiredness and emotional overload
Boarding students are adjusting to new routines, shared living, academic expectations and social relationships — all at once. Fatigue is common, especially in the first half of term.
Parents may notice:
- Shorter phone calls
- Irritability or emotional swings
- Requests to come home early.
Rather than viewing this as a setback, it’s often a sign your child is working hard to adapt.
Simple ways to support them include:
- Encouraging healthy sleep routines
- Reminding them to eat well and stay hydrated
- Trusting boarding staff to step in with care and guidance when needed.
Stay engaged with the boarding team
Parents are never “on the outside” of boarding life at Calrossy. Our boarding staff see families as partners and welcome communication.
If you have questions, concerns or simply need reassurance, reaching out to the boarding team can provide clarity and peace of mind.
“We care deeply about every student in our houses,” says Mrs Coe.
“If something doesn’t feel right — for you or your child — please talk to us. Supporting boarders works best when families and staff work together.”
And for parents — be kind to yourself
It’s not uncommon for parents to experience their own version of homesickness. Missing daily routines, shared meals and small moments can be hard — especially in the early weeks.
Staying connected with other boarding families, trusting the process, and reminding yourself why you chose boarding can help during this adjustment.
Boarding is a journey — one that builds independence, resilience and lifelong friendships. With patience, communication and partnership, students settle, confidence grows, and families often find that boarding becomes one of the most rewarding chapters of school life.
