Boarding at Sacred Heart College

Home away from home

The foundation of college life is inspired by the Sacred Heart pillars of Diligence, Support, Simplicity, Family spirit, Loyalty and pride, Presence for others, and In the way of Mary. These pillars have a strong presence in our boarding community, where boarders are encouraged to live true to their Catholic values.

Boarding is an integral part of Sacred Heart College. Catering for up to 170 boarders in Years 9-13, our on-site Hostel provides a nurturing environment for them to settle into life away from home.

Everyday boarding life is inspired by our Marist Champagnat values. The Sacred Heart College Hostel routines and support systems teach our boarders how to put those values into practice. This leads to proud Hostel traditions - empowering them and inspiring others to live their lives as proud Marist men.

Facilities

Sacred Heart College Hostel comprises for three boarding houses:

Fr Champagnat House caters for Years 9 and 10
Br Clement House caters for Year 11 and some Year 12
Br Leonard House caters for Years 12 and 13

Boarders in Years 9 and 10 share partitioned dormitories and have dedicated and supervised study time. Year 11 boarders have partitioned but more individual cubicles in their dormitory including a study desk. Most Year 12 and all Year 13 boarders have individual rooms. Boarders have access to the Chapel, sports fields, Aquatic Centre and gymnasium, as well as shared common rooms with television.

Boarders gather for full Hostel gatherings, meals and morning prayer in the spacious dining hall, with all meals provided by the Hostel Catering Manager. All boarders have access to dental and medical services, with our Matron and Hostel staff ensuring care or advice is available at any time of the day or night. The laundry service is also on-site.

During the term, families can organise home visits for their sons with the Deputy Headmaster Boarding. Boarders are welcome to visit the homes of other boarders or local relatives if prior permission has been received from their parents.

Academic performance

There is a strong focus on academic performance throughout the Hostel, which is reflected in our yearly NCEA results – where 90% of boarders acquired NCEA University Entrance in 2021. In addition, we also had two high Scholarship achievers.

Formal supervised study sessions are scheduled for all boarders. Years 9 and 10, boarders are required to study for an hour and a half, and in Years 11 to 13, a minimum of two hours each evening is required.

Study sessions are supervised by adults, some of whom are teachers and others who may be university students. They are there to assist and support the boarders. By Year 11, senior boarding students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own time management of study, preparing them for their future learning ventures in either NCEA, at a tertiary institute, a workplace and beyond.

Support systems

The transition to living away from home can require a settling in period, particularly for boys who join us in Year 9. To support boarders during this time, each Year 9 boy is assigned a Year 13 buddy, who offers a big brother figure to make him feel welcomed and more at home. The Deputy Headmaster Boarding, House Masters and other Hostel staff are always available when additional support is needed.

Sports and cultural activities

Throughout the school year, boarders enjoy the convenience of living on-site at Sacred Heart, enabling them to take full advantage of the variety of sports and cultural activities on offer. Boarders are expected to partake in at least two school extra-curricular activities, sports and cultural, in both summer and winter Terms.

Fees

Boarding fees are set by the Sacred Heart College Hostel Board and are separate from day-school contributions. These are reviewed by the Board every August and are subject to change at that time. Fees must be paid before the commencement of each boarding term, or one year in advance for International Students.

For more information, view our 2022 Financial Contributions, or contact the Deputy Headmaster - Boarding, Mr Sean Bristow.

View 2022 Financial Contributions Email Deputy Headmaster - Boarding

Boarding enrolment

Enrolment for boarders at Sacred Heart is primarily for students in Year 9, with limited spaces available in other year levels. Consistent with the Special Character of the College, preference is given to families with an established connection to the Catholic Church, and in accordance with the revised guidelines approved by the Catholic Bishops of New Zealand in 2003.

To find out more about daily life as a boarder, visit our Life as a Boarder page.

For more information on enrolment, please visit our Boarding enrolment page.

Life as a Boarder More about Boarding enrolment

Contact

For further information please contact:

Deputy Headmaster - Boarding
Mr Sean Bristow
[email protected]
Mobile 021 620 734
Day 09 529 3660 ext. 850

Fees Manager
Mrs Tricia Gerrard
Day 09 529 3660 ext. 809

Finance Manager
Mrs Claire Fourie
Day 09 529 3660 ext. 827

Catering Manager
Mr Robin Shah
Day 09 529 3660 ext. 875

Health Centre
Day 09 529 3660 ext. 852

Students' Incoming Calls
Years 9 and 10 Day 09 529 3660 ext. 866
DDI 09 529 3662
Year 11 Day 09 529 3660 ext. 867
DDI 09 529 3664
Years 12 and 13 Day 09 529 3660 ext. 868
DDI 09 529 3668

Sacred Heart College Hostel Ltd

The Sacred Heart College Hostel exists under a corporate structure. The company has a chief executive officer (CEO) through whom strategy and planning is implemented, operations managed and staff directed.

Apart from typical governance imperatives and accountabilities, specific requirements of the role of the Sacred Heart College Hostel Board of Directors comprise;

Ensuring its Catholic Special Character and Marist values and spirit are developed and maintained in the hostel
Providing an environment for boarding students which will promote their wellbeing and education in a holistic way
Managing the successful and effective operation and infrastructure of the Sacred Heart College Hostel
Providing a positive approach of holistic Christian education to reflect the education philosophy of the Marist Brothers in the spirit of St Marcellin Champagnat, their founder:
- “to make Jesus Christ known and loved”
- to lead young people to the experience of personal faith and of their vocation as “good Christians and virtuous citizens”

Sacred Heart College Hostel Ltd Board members are appointed by the NZ Marist Brothers’ Trust Board. They total eight in number, including a boarding parent:

Mr Kerry Coleman (Chair)
Mr Terry Carter
Mr Leo Davis
Mrs Patricia James
Br Murray Kelly
Mrs Michell Olsen
Mrs Anna Ashford
College Headmaster

Meetings

The Sacred Heart College Hostel Ltd Board members meet regularly throughout the year.

Wednesday 26 January
Wednesday 2 March
Wednesday 11 May
Wednesday 29 June
Wednesday 3 August
Wednesday 21 September
Wednesday 2 November
Wednesday 30 November

Life as a Boarder

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More about Life as a Boarder

Boarding Enrolment

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More about Boarding Enrolment