Boarding is offered from Grade 6 to 12 at St Nicholas. Our school has a well-established boarding culture with separate establishments for boys and girls, that comprises of separate houses for our juniors and seniors. Our dedicated boarding staff ensure that our boarders have a structured routine, nutritious meals, weekly church services, youth programmes, educational outings and a true sense of family.
Boarding
THE BOARDING ADVANTAGE
Your Home At
St Nicholas
Your Home At
St Nicholas
A welcoming boarding environment where children feel settled, supported and part of the St Nicholas family.
Purposeful Spaces
Purposeful Spaces
Cosy shared bedrooms for juniors and private study-bedrooms for seniors, giving every child a space to rest, recharge and focus.
Learning With Opportunity
Learning With Opportunity
With well-equipped media centres, computer rooms, science labs, a music centre and art studio, our boarders have every opportunity to explore their interests and flourish.
Active Lifestyle
Active Lifestyle
Boarders enjoy access to the school’s swimming pool, indoor centre and astro, with plenty of opportunities to stay active, compete and have fun.
Nutritious Dining
Nutritious Dining
Three fresh, balanced meals are served daily in our dining hall, providing nourishing food and the opportunity to connect around the table. Prepared by the amazing Granny Macs staff.
Spaces to Connect
Spaces to Connect
Comfortable lounges with high-speed Wi-Fi, gaming and satellite TV provide relaxed spaces for friendships to grow and downtime to be enjoyed.
Excursions
Excursions
From theme parks, shopping and movies to outdoor trails, weekends are filled with experiences that give our boarders the chance to explore, discover and enjoy life beyond the classroom.
In-House Events
In-House Events
Inter-house braais, talent shows, movie nights and sports tournaments create a lively boarding community where there is always something to look forward to.
PASTORAL CARE & SAFETY
ANGLICAN ETHOS
At the heart of our boarding house is our Christian faith. The spiritual wellbeing of our boarders is nurtured through:
MESSAGES FROM THE HEADS
“The St Nicholas Boarding is about more than just a place to live while attending classes; it is a community that shapes you, a home away from home, where lifelong bonds are forged.
It’s about the late-night study sessions, the sports teams and those group chats in your dorm room. Our boarding stands for independence, resilience and camaraderie. The boarding experience is a melting pot of cultures, interests and personalities, ultimately creating a rich and unique tapestry of connection and memories.
It’s where you will laugh until your sides hurt, cry on someone’s shoulder, and find your tribe. Our boarding is about growing up, figuring out who you are, and becoming the person you’re meant to be. It’s a place of self-journey and discovery, friendship and growth. One that will leave an indelible mark on your heart and shape the person you become.
For those who have experienced our boarding at St Nicholas, they know that it will always be a part of who they are.”
– Vukile Gumede
2026 Head of Boys’ Boarding
“When I first arrived at Boarding in 2021 as a Grade 7 learner, I was unsure of myself and was still trying to find my place. I held my head high and was quickly humbled by the fact that I was smaller than the rest. Like many new boarders, I felt a little lost and conflicted. However, over time, this place became way more than a residence during the school term. Here I found a community that shaped the person I am today. “It takes a village to raise a child.” – Boarding became just that!
St Nicholas Boarding became a second home for me. It became a place where I learnt independence, built friendships and grew through both challenges and the joys of living with others. My experiences here have taught me lessons that extend far beyond my high school life.
Today, as the Head of Girls’ Boarding, I feel deeply grateful to be put in a position where I can guide younger boarders, helping them to navigate daily routines and build healthy habits. My hope is to make the transition a little easier for every new boarder and to enhance an environment where everyone feels supported and valued.
Vukile (my fellow Head of Boarding), my fellow matrics and I have worked together to help build boarding into a place filled with energy and connection. Our weekends are often spent doing activities together, sharing laughter and creating traditions that bring us closer together. As simple as these moments might seem, they have become ones that will stay long after we leave.
We truly believe that the traditions that we are building now will live on for years and that the experiences formed here will shape each of us in meaningful ways.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
– Ecclesiastes 4:9-10″
– Siyanqoba Ngcobo
2026 Head of Girls’ Boarding
