When Paradise Isn’t Enough

We'reWatching You: A Coastal Family's Boarding School Journey When Katie and Dan Toney left careers in television journalism to run a holiday park in the tiny coastal community of Seal Rocks, boarding school wasn't part of the plan. In fact, it wasn't even on their radar. But as their children approached high school, long daily bus journeys, limited local options and a growing realisation that their children needed more than what was available locally forced them to ask some difficult questions. In this episode of Letters from Home, Katie shares how a series of conversations changed everything. From holidaymakers planting the first seeds of possibility to spending time west of the Great Dividing Range where boarding school was simply part of everyday life, Katie's story highlights the power of keeping an open mind and exploringopportunities you never imagined for your family. This conversation explores perceptions of boarding school, the realities of regional education, the emotional challenges of making big parenting decisions and the ripple effect one family can have on an entire community. In this episode we discuss: • Why living on the coast doesn't always mean easy access to education • The four-hour daily bus commute that prompted a rethink • Challenging perceptions around who boarding school is for • Finding the confidence to ask questions and explore options • The role conversations play in changing family decisions • Why boarding school allowed their family to stay living in the community they love • Watching children find their people, opportunities and confidence