Bruce House Prefect Team 2016

For the boarders at Bruce House, Saint Kentigern is so much more than an 8.40am to 3.30pm experience – it is a 24/7 immersion! With the College on their doorstep, gaining the benefits this ‘World of Opportunity’ offers is greatly increased. Accordingly, the student leaders of Bruce House have the responsibility and privilege of having a huge impact on their fellow boarders’ lives. This year, Alfie Robertson and Iris Lee 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, Joe Haddleton, William Langley, Tayla Farmer and Ainslie Paxton. All six received their Bruce House prefect badges at the first formal dinner early in Term 1.

Bruce House Head Boy
Alfie Robertson

Alfie Robertson is in his seventh year at the College and his second year of boarding. He hails from Waiheke Island and in his senior years at the College he found commuting across the Hauraki Gulf was impacting on his study and co-curricular activities, so he opted to join Bruce House. A keen rugby and touch player, Alfie is now able to dedicate as much time as necessary to his sporting endeavours without it affecting his school work. He says Bruce House is a second home and the duty masters, gap tutors and fellow students are like a second family.

Bruce House Head Girl
Iris Lee

Iris is also a prefect of Chalmers House. Although born in New Zealand, she spent most of her life in Taiwan until 2010. Iris came to the College in Year 9 and joined the boarding house last year. She is heavily involved in music, including productions, premier choirs (Kentoris, Mussettes), chamber groups and multiple large ensembles. She had also been involved in tennis and the Premier Girls Basketball team. Iris gained academic colours and honours for her NCEA exams as well as an ATCL diploma for her piano recital. As a boarder, Iris thoroughly enjoys the unique life at Bruce House where she has the opportunity to meet new people while learning about different cultures. She believes that it is a place that joins numerous diversities and talents together into a big family.

Being a Boarder at Bruce House

Bruce House will be home to 117 boarders this year, including 86 boys and 31 girls from Year 7 to Year 13. There are 26 international students from eight different countries, Fiji, China, Thailand, Taiwan, Canada, France, Malaysia and Korea, 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 Mrs Juliet Dale 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.