Photography Jessica Turich
Piper Christensen, a second-generation student who graduated in 2021, at the school’s demonstration farm, Port Curtis.
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For boarders, school is much more than just timetabled lessons and sporting activities; friendships are forged for life and lasting memories are made.
WORDS ASHLEIGH HARVEY PHOTOGRAPHY JESSICA TURICH
Photography Jessica Turich
Piper Christensen, a second-generation student who graduated in 2021, at the school’s demonstration farm, Port Curtis.
Photography Jessica Turich
From left Shakeeta Yates, Zac Armstrong, Piper Christensen, Meg Ingram, Clay Goodwin, Jemma Lang and, in front, Tyler Hyden and Stetson McGhee.
For boarders, school is much more than just timetabled lessons and sporting activities; friendships are forged for life and lasting memories are made. It is unsurprising, then, to learn that boarders whose experiences are so positive want to provide the same opportunities for their children.
The Christensens, who hail from a property called Tatiara on the outskirts of Theodore, Queensland, 200 kilometres south-west of Rockhampton, are a good example of such a family. Bronwyn was a boarder at RGS in the 1980s and her three children — Piper, who graduated in 2021, Year 11 student Bridie and Mackenzie, who is in Year 9 — are now following in her footsteps.
Bronwyn is happy to return to the school, although this time in a much different capacity. “I am really enjoying being back at RGS as a parent, possibly more so than as a student!” she says.
“When I was at school here — my kids roll their eyes when they hear this — I remember fire alarms set off by thunder and walking up that blasted hill at two in the morning wearing pyjamas; weekends lazing and sunbaking by the pool (albeit a much smaller one); and camping in dongas during weekend stays at Ritamada [the school’s beachfront outdoor education facility].
“But mostly I remember good friendships, lots of laughs — and possibly even a bit of school work!”
As a past boarder, Bronwyn understands the challenges, complexities and opportunities involved in having a child attend boarding school. This insight led her to put her hand up for the role of Secretary on the RGS Boarder Parent Association, a role she will continue this year.
“Boarding is such an integral part of a student’s life when they need to be away for schooling. If they are not comfortable in their home-away-from-home environment, there is no way they can do their best at their studies,” she explains.
“I had confidence in RGS’s ability to provide a safe and supporting environment for our children and I was keen to be a part of ensuring that the needs of the boarders continue to be met and, in many cases, exceeded.”
Bronwyn’s eldest child, Piper, completed Year 12 at RGS in 2021 — and she has some simple advice to help her younger sister and brother make the most of their time in boarding school.
Photography Jessica Turich
Showing cattle was just one of many co-curricular interests Piper was able to pursue while at RGS.
Photography Jessica Turich
The 2021 RGS show cattle teampractise their skills.
Piper, a prefect in her final year, certainly followed her own advice when she arrived at RGS in Year 10, wasting no time making the most of the dynamic environment of boarding school. Not only did she have to adapt to different studies, she was also exposed to a range of new activities at school. Musicals, oratory, volleyball, rowing and the show cattle team were all on Piper’s agenda — in fact, she was already looking into the latter before she even started.
“I never had the opportunity to compete in show cattle at home,’’ says Piper, whose family home is a commercial cattle property with mostly Charbray and Charolais breeds.
“Coming to RGS, I threw myself into show cattle. I loved it, and it soon became my preferred co-curricular interest. It was great being surrounded by families who show cattle regularly; you listen to them and learn how to do things better.”
With more than 35 sports and other activities to choose from, the co-curricular program at RGS is all about providing extra opportunities.
“I had a crack at rowing in Year 10 and… I’m not a rower,’’ Piper, who is always willing to give new things a go, explains. “I don’t like the early mornings and I didn’t have the fitness, but it was good to experience the sport. I loved volleyball to pieces, but I couldn’t play it to save myself.”
The Rockhampton Grammar School also provided Piper with subject opportunities that were not available to her at home. These included accounting and agricultural science, which were integral in Piper’s recent acceptance into a dual bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness and Agricultural Science at The University of Queensland’s Gatton campus.
While thrilled to be offered her first preference for tertiary study, Piper admits she isn’t sure where the degree will take her and isn’t putting pressure on herself to figure it out any time soon. “Honestly, I don’t know what career I’ll end up in, but that’s what the next four years is for: to learn all that I can about the industry and see what interests me.”
Conveniently located in one of Queensland’s largest regional centres, The Rockhampton Grammar School is proud to be the school of choice for generations of families throughout Central and North Queensland, the Northern Territory and overseas. Talk to The Rockhampton Grammar School today about starting your family tradition.
Photography Jessica Turich
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