Head of Boarding

At Christ’s College, boarding plays a central role in school life, with the three boarding Houses – Flower’s, Richards, and School – making up nearly a third of the student body. The boarding community is made up of students from all over the world, including places across New Zealand, Europe, North America, and Asia, creating a diverse mix of cultures and backgrounds.

Regardless of where they come from, every boy at Christ’s College shares a similar boarding experience, which fosters a strong sense of brotherhood within this prestigious school. Shared activities like meals, weekend events, sports, music, and the Arts help bridge the gap between the individual Houses and encourage camaraderie.

Boarding is a key part of Christ’s College’s identity, helping to build a community based on trust and mutual respect, which is admired by many dayboys. To offer dayboys a glimpse into boarding life, the school has developed a special programme for Year 10 students. These dayboys spend a few weeks at Jacobs House, experiencing boarding and making new connections.

The traditional House system is one of the school’s major strengths and a significant factor in its excellent reputation. With each of the three boarding Houses accommodating about 60 boys, students are able to settle in quickly and form closer relationships, as opposed to being placed in a large hostel with about 160 boarders. This smaller, more intimate setting is especially beneficial to new students, whether they are Year 9s or students joining in Year 11. It makes the transition easier. Additionally, the 10 Houses at Christ’s College compete fiercely in interhouse rivalries, fostering a sense of unity among the boarders who share a House.

Each House is overseen by dedicated staff, including enthusiastic Housemasters, caring matrons, mentor teachers, House tutors (often Old Boys), and domestic staff. These individuals work tirelessly to support the boys, offering guidance and serving as approachable role models. Senior students, whether they are Prefects or not, also play a key role in supporting and guiding the younger boys.

Boarders can return home during the weekends, which is a great opportunity to reconnect with family and friends. However, it is also valuable to spend a few weekends on campus, when there is less academic pressure and more time to relax and socialise with housemates from different year groups. Christ’s College offers a variety of weekend activities, including attending sports matches, surfing, skiing, watching movies, and going on surprise day trips, all designed to bring the boarding Houses together for fun and bonding.

In my view, one of the greatest benefits of boarding is the personal growth it fosters outside daily routines. Boarding teaches important life skills like independence, teamwork, and the ability to follow rules and instructions. Most importantly, it offers the chance to build lasting friendships through years of shared experiences – friendships that are likely to endure well into the future.

Although boarding can sometimes be challenging, especially when students experience homesickness, learning to cope with these emotions is an important life skill. The personal growth and experiences you gain from it far outweigh any difficulties. From my own experience as a boarder at Christ’s College, I can say that I have loved every moment. The experiences and skills I have developed have shaped me into the person I am today, and will continue to serve me well in the future.