Torres Strait Kaziw Meta (Kaziw Meta) is a boarding facility on Thursday Island for students in Years 7-12. It is an independent entity, associated with the next-door state-run school, that provides wrap around residential, cultural, academic, and wellbeing support for students from the outer islands of the Torres Strait who attend the school.

Kaziw Meta aims to create a ‘home away from home’ and to develop culturally-connected Torres Strait Islander future leaders. The five boarding houses accommodate 88 boarders who have access to a ‘house parent’, tutor, and additional support services to ensure student wellbeing.

Life at Kaziw Meta is holistically balanced to build self confidence in every boarder, by focusing on both education and extra-curricular activities including sport, dance, cooking, technical, and life skills. The Torres Strait Kaziw Meta Dance Team regularly perform a curated repertoire of culturally significant stories with permission from the children’s outer islands leaders.

Kaziw Meta has recently shared with TFFF the good news story that it has recently become the first certified Indigenous boarding facility in Australia. After three years of sustained improvement across governance, boarder wellbeing, staff development, facilities and community engagement, Kaziw Meta has passed an independent audit for Australian schools and residences, marking a major milestone for safe and high-quality boarding in the Torres Strait.

This milestone leads the way for the Indigenous boarding sector and is a big achievement for a remote Torres Strait boarding facility, made possible by the hard work and commitment of Kaziw Meta’s management committee, staff, and boarders.

Kaziw Meta CEO, Thomas Dunsmore, said the certification has strengthened safeguards for young people in the boarding school’s care, supports stronger policies and procedures, and gives families and partners greater confidence in how boarding is run each day.

This certification reflects our boarders, families, Elders, staff and partners working together for a safe, caring and high performing boarding community. Meeting the Australian Boarding Standard shows what is possible for remote and Indigenous boarding students when strong culture and strong systems walk side by side. We are proud to set a leading example on behalf of Torres Strait Islanders and Indigenous boarding communities.

– Thomas Dunsmore, CEO

Australian Boarding Schools Association CEO Richard Stokes congratulated Kaziw Meta and explained how the certification provides a practical structure for ongoing reviews, staff training, student voice and continuous improvement so that high standards are maintained over time.

“We are delighted to see another boarding facility recognised as meeting the Australian Standard,” Mr Stokes said.

“The commitment shown to achieving full compliance and to ensuring the highest levels of care and safety for boarders at Torres Strait Kaziw Meta has proven both worthwhile and exemplary. On behalf of the Association, ABSA congratulates Torres Strait Kaziw Meta on this significant achievement, and we look forward to continuing our work together to best support their boarders.”

Ningana Trust approved a $15,000 grant in October 2025 to support the improvement of boarding school facilities at Kaziw Meta, to create a more welcoming, comfortable, and functional environment that fosters a sense of belonging to support positive daily routines.

Torres Strait Kaziw Meta is supported by Ningana Trust.