Ok, big decisions!

Where we are now, we are in an isolated area. So if I was to choose this option, I would recieve government funding & with the school I'm looking at its possible that would cover all costs, but I'm not sure exactly how it all works yet.

There is a high school 65 kms away that has a really bad reputation. Next closest is 130 kms away. So I'm considering boarding schools in Perth. The primary school here finishes at the end of year 7, so DD would be starting high school in year 8, at 13.

I have a few questions...

Does anyone else send their kids to boarding school? Or for those who attended?

The one I'm looking at is Catholic all girls. I'm not sure what would be the better option... all girls or co-ed. Does it matter?

How did you/do your kids handle it at that age? I only knew kids who went to the local high school, then went away in year 9 or 10. And they were only 2 or 3 hours away. Perth is 4 hours from us.

How does everyone in the situation cope? I think it would be a really good move for my kids educationally, but I'm scared of the impact it'd have on them emotionally... & on me!