Torres Strait Kaziw Meta House Parents and Staff welcomed Boarders and their families for the 2026 school year.
While the ‘back-to-school’ journey differs for many students across Queensland, none can quite match the extraordinary trek that Torres Strait Kaziw Meta Boarders and their families make each term, year after year.
Over the first week of school, students from across the Zenadth Kes outer island communities flew, ferried, and dinghied back to Torres Strait Kaziw Meta on Waibene, filled with excitement and focus for the year ahead.
2026 Tagai Graduand and Boarding Senior Jake Mooka and his family travelled by helicopter from Dauan to Waiben for him to return for his final boarding year.
Jake’s Mum Genai Mooka, also an alumnus of TSKM said she was proud to see her son settle in and thrive at Torres Strait Kaziw Meta.
“I also boarded at Kaziw Meta when I went to school and Jake is my second pikinnini to graduate,” Genai Mooka said.
“We brought his aka and athe come in to see him off as well,” she said.
Among the arrivals were many first-time Boarders, accompanied by parents and family as they transitioned into their ‘home away from home’. Happy tears were shed as house parents welcomed students into their dorms.
Jake’s two younger cousins started their first year of boarding as well.
“It’s emotional for all of us, especially the young ones, but Jake will take care of them,” Ms Mooka added.
The major upgrades at the boarding facility were also near completion and Torres Strait Kaziw Meta CEO Thomas Dunsmore expressed his enthusiasm for better security and safety for Boarders and staff.
“Last year, Torres Strait Kaziw Meta was certified against AS 5725 and we became the first certified Indigenous boarding facility in Australia,” Mr Dunsmore said.
“Our team is constantly making improvements across governance, Boarder wellbeing, staff development, facilities and community engagement,” he said.
“Our Director and Deputy Director of Boarding have a big year planned for our Boarders to excel and thrive here at Torres Strait Kaziw Meta,”
“We welcome our Boarders back for another year and stay committed to growing culturally connected Torres Strait Islander leaders of the future,” he said.
