Boarding at St Paul’s & FAQs

Approximately 330 students call St Paul’s home during the school term, creating a strong boarding community where students are known, supported and encouraged to get involved in all aspects of school life.

With four well-equipped boarding houses, three for boys and one for girls, students benefit from close-knit peer support, leadership from senior students and the dedicated pastoral care of boarding staff. The relatively small size of the school helps create a genuine home-away-from-home, where strong relationships can develop between students, staff and families.

• A strong boarding family: Housemasters, deputies, assistants, residential assistants, and a matron form a 24/7 support network, guiding boarders academically and pastorally. Students also have access to an on-site nurse, counsellor, chaplain, careers advisor, and other wellbeing services.
• Routines and community: Students eat, study, and play together, sharing meals, prep time in the dining room, and recreational activities that build camaraderie and character.
• Smooth transition: New boarders are welcomed into small peer support groups and paired with senior leaders and prefects to help them settle in and feel at home fast.
• Supervised study: Boarders complete homework during evening prep time, overseen by house staff.

FAQs

Who supervises the boarders?
Each boarding house is led by a Housemaster, supported by two Deputy Housemasters, a Matron and two Residential Assistants. Housemasters and Deputy Housemasters are teaching staff who live onsite and provide academic guidance, pastoral care and day-to-day support. Residential Assistants support students outside school hours, while the Matron oversees domestic arrangements and supports students with practical needs.

How much contact do parents have with their child?
Boarders are encouraged to stay connected with their families. Parents are welcome to visit during the week, share a meal with their child and attend school events, sports fixtures, performances and Chapel services. Boarders may also return home on many weekends and during scheduled school breaks.

What are the leave arrangements for boarders?
Boarders may apply for weekend leave once school commitments, including sport and co-curricular activities, have been met. Leave must be approved by the Housemaster or staff member on duty, and students sign in and out when leaving and returning. Boarding houses also close for several days each Term.

How is student wellbeing supported in boarding?
Boarders receive pastoral support from their Housemaster and boarding staff, with regular communication between the school and families. Students also have access to a full-time counsellor, chaplain, nurse and other pastoral staff and can approach the person they feel most comfortable talking to.

How many students board at St Paul’s and where do they come from?
Around 330 students board at St Paul’s, making up approximately 30% of the school community. Most come from the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taupō and Auckland regions, with others from throughout New Zealand and overseas.

What do boarders do after school and at weekends?
Boarders can take part in sport, music, drama and other co-curricular activities and have access to facilities including the gym and library. Students may also apply for leave to visit nearby Chartwell shopping centre. See the boarding daily routine here.

Do boarders have internet access and mobile phones?
Boarders have access to the school’s secure Wi-Fi, with internet use monitored to support safe online behaviour. Year 9 and 10 students are not permitted to keep mobile phones in boarding, although phones may be handed in after travel. See the school’s phone use policy here.

Where do boarders eat and what is the food like?
Boarders eat in the school dining hall, where meals are prepared onsite to meet the dietary needs of adolescents. Vegetarian, gluten-free and other dietary requirements can be catered for. Most meals are cafeteria style, with a formal boarding dinner held once a week.

What are the laundry arrangements for boarders?
Boys’ laundry is managed through a central onsite laundry, while girls’ laundry is managed within their boarding house. Bedding is also laundered regularly.

What healthcare is available for boarders?
A qualified nurse lives onsite and provides care for minor illness and injury, while the school doctor visits St Paul’s several times each week. When further treatment is required, students can be referred to local medical services or Waikato Hospital’s Emergency Department.

Want to learn more?

Book an Open Day or get in touch with our enrolments office on +64 7 957 8889.