In this episode, we chat with Nonie Ayling from Wenona, a girls' school in Sydney. Nonie was of our panellists for last year’s Australian Boarding Schools Summit, where we explore the question: Big or Small… Does Size Really Matter in a Boarding House?
Families often ask me whether the size of a boarding cohort makes a difference—what’s best for their child, and what are the benefits or challenges of each option? There’s sometimes concern about smaller boarding communities, so I wanted to open up the conversation and bust some myths.
What I loved about talking with Nonie is that Wenona doesn’t shy away from being a smaller boarding school—they embrace it. They celebrate their cultural diversity, welcoming international students, ex-pats, city-based boarders, and rural families alike.
At the end of the day, you know your child best. You know the environment where they’ll thrive—and Nonie speaks directly to that. After this conversation, I see small boarding communities in a whole new light… and in a really positive way.
Enjoy our chat!
Thank you to Courtney Dunn for editing this podcast episode.
Boarding Schools Expo: https://boardingexpo.com.au