At the end of the day, when all others have gone home, there are currently 115 students who stay behind on campus and head up to Bruce House to share dinner, do homework and settle for the night. For these 29 girls and 86 boys who board, College life is so much more than a school day – it is a 24/7 immersion! Accordingly, the student leaders of Bruce House have the responsibility and privilege of having a huge impact on their fellow boarders’ lives.

This year, Harrison Taylor and Risa Miyaura have been appointed as Bruce House Head Boy and Head Girl, having demonstrated leadership, self-discipline and empathy in their time as boarders. They will be supported by their Deputies, Ty Stevens and Louis Poot. The four leaders received their Bruce House prefect badges at the first formal dinner of the term.

Between them Harrison and Risa have amassed nine years of boarding life and so are well attuned to lead their fellow students and help new students adjust to life as a boarder. As young boarders, both recall the initial feelings of missing their families but have assured new students that the best way to combat homesickness is to get involved. With the College and all its facilities on their doorstep, the capacity for boarders to engage and gain the benefits of our ‘World of Opportunity’ is greatly increased. In speaking at the dinner Risa said, ’It’s so much easier when you are busy and active!’

In the wider life of the College, Harrison is also a prefect, plays rugby, volleyball and has been involved in Art Space. Risa is a peer support leader, is undertaking her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and has been successful in aquathon, cross country, swimming and netball. Both students are studying towards their International Baccalaureate Diploma. We wish them and their deputies well as they take on the challenge of leading Bruce House.

Being a Boarder at Bruce House
Bruce House will be home to up to 121 boarders this year from Year 7 to Year 13. There are 20 international students in the boarding house from eight different countries - Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea, Thailand, Fiji, China, Canada and France - bringing a vast diversity of cultures. The Kiwi residents come from all around New Zealand, with many adding a rural flavour! A large number are also from Auckland, either in close proximity to the College or too far away for daily access by bus or car, and choose to board to take full advantage of co-curricular activities that take place before and after school, as well as the assistance of tutors during Prep time. A 7am music rehearsal and sports training finishing at 5pm are much easier to manage when they take place only a few minutes’ walk away!

Testimonials from past boarders never fail to mention the sense of belonging that living at Bruce House engenders, with many referring to fellow boarders as an extension of their families.  As well as the student leaders, the Bruce House staff play a vital role in creating and maintaining the feeling of community. House Master, Reverend David Smith and his wife, Karen, live onsite, as does the newly appointed Head of Girls’ Boarding, Mrs Bridget Anitelea who has responsibility for the girls. Along with the duty staff, matrons, gap tutors and kitchen personnel, there is a caring team making sure the boarders have a true home base at College when they are away from their own families.

Boarding places
There are currently two available places in the girls’ boarding house. If you would like more information about this, please contact Admissions.
Phone 09 577 0703 or email skc_admissions@saintkentigern.com

Click here to see more photos.

Stay Back Weekend
For those new to boarding, those first few nights away can be a bit of a scary prospect and so the first weekend back to school each year has become known as ‘Stay Back Weekend’ -a weekend of fun activities to make new friendships.
Read more:https://www.saintkentigern.com/news/bruce-house-stay-back-weekend/

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