Experience of a lifetime
ARMED with their books, swags and swimmers, country children from remote western Queensland recently enjoyed a first-hand experience of boarding school life when they attended the Whitsunday Anglican School’s (WAS) Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival.
Thanks to the support of rural education fund The Winchester Foundation, the children were given the opportunity to travel to Mackay to attend the largest youth literary festival north of the Sunshine Coast. Jam packed with top Australian authors, theatre performers and a Shakespearean rapper, students who normally would not have access to similar experiences were able to enjoy the wonder of literature outside the classroom. WAS head of boarding Bruce Keys said the boarding house looked forward to hosting the Winchester Foundation students each year.
“The Winchester students travel from a number of remote schools, and each year we plan a variety of activities, which allows the students to enjoy new experiences, including an afternoon at the beach,” Mr Keys said.
WAS is recognised as one of the leading independent schools in regional Queensland, and for 20 years WAS’ Booth boarding house has been providing quality education opportunities to boys and girls from rural and remote communities.
“During their visit remote children enjoy a unique opportunity to experience life in a boarding school, and many of these students return to WAS as boarders when they start secondary school,” Mr Keys said.
The school’s contemporary co-educational boarding facilities cater for students from Years 5–12.
Contact the school’s registrar, Connie-Louise Alexander on (07) 4969 2077 or registrar@was.qld.edu.au for more information.