The #RedBlackWhite boarding establishment is an exciting wing of College culture. Within these walls, it is our hope that every boy will live some of his greatest days. Boarding life at College is filled with activity, the energy of boys learning and living together. One day, looking back, the College BE will certainly hold the sweet memories of youth and the achievement of personal milestones, connected by camaraderie.
College boarders start their boarding lives together at Nathan House and move up the ranks, through the houses that become their homes until their Form 6 year in Elliott House. The structure of boarding days combines mentorship, tradition, and structure with activities that fill the days of growing young men with memories.
The #RedBlackWhite BE is a unique community within the College campus. Boarding life in any boys’ school demands resilience and strength of character, but the lasting effect of this boarding lifestyle is a sense of shared identity, an unshakable bond of brotherhood, and a lifelong sense of belonging.
Every boarding house at Maritzburg College is unique. From learning the ropes at Nathan and finding their initial footing to growing into who they will become through their choice of Hudson, Shepstone, or Clark, these are houses that become home. All this culminates at Elliott House, where our 6th formers live out their final College chapter, reunited with their 2nd form brothers.
Boarding life matches tradition with providing for the balanced needs of young men. Boarding at College is all about rites of passage. It starts with Borver Week and Vietnam. These iconic events in the life of every College boarder are formative for our 2nd formers. It’s the best of growing up; dirt and adrenaline and fun. It’s tough and loud, but it’s unforgettable and filled with laughter. When boys receive their ties, they can look to the boy standing next to them with an understanding rarely achieved in the classroom or in the quad. This is where the bonds of brotherhood start – and it is an exciting beginning to an amazing journey.
Boarding life matches tradition with providing for the balanced needs of young men. Boarding at College is all about rites of passage. It starts with Borver Week and Vietnam. These iconic events in the life of every College boarder are formative for our 2nd formers. It’s the best of growing up; dirt and adrenaline and fun. It’s tough and loud, but it’s unforgettable and filled with laughter. When boys receive their ties, they can look to the boy standing next to them with an understanding rarely achieved in the classroom or in the quad. This is where the bonds of brotherhood start – and it is an exciting beginning to an amazing journey.
Nathan House Boarder
“Having left home for the first time, I didn’t know what to expect of this new way of living. It turned out to be amazing. You immediately make lots of friends because you are all living closely together. Everyone shares the same problems and uncertainty, but also the joys and fun. It is basically a year-long sleepover with all your friends. It is so nice to have all the facilities available on this huge campus. There is allocated time to work and time to relax, but you are always kept busy.”
Nathan House Parent
“There will come a time where the Nathan boys will be introduced to the disciplines and age-old traditions at College. College is not tough – College is real.
A big day in boarders’ lives is when they receive their school tie after the orientation period called Borver Week. Old primary school memories are washed off during Borver Week to mould a new College ‘Former’. The staff were always incredibly open to our questions and queries and not once did we feel that Nathan House were not in control.”
Hudson House Boarder
“It’s what happens inside these walls that bonds the hearts of men. Housemasters go out of their way to reach out to ensure the safety and happiness of the boys. They talk about and act out values that will prepare the boys for life. The boarding house is truly a home away from home, and when I return after a weekend away, it is always fun to catch up with my friends and start the new week with my other family.”
Hudson House Boarder
“The Masters have always been helpful and open to talk to. I have never felt afraid to speak to them about problems, or ask questions, not only about school and boarding, but regarding life. They have taught me to be responsible, accountable, and to have integrity. The Masters and Prefects of Hudson House have given all the boys of the house a clear understanding of what is right and what is wrong. We have learned to be on time, well-prepared in all circumstances, and to think ahead.”
Hudson House Parent
“One cannot be more grateful for and to the group of boarder masters together with their families, and prefects, who model the valuable and intangible essences of life, which stage the boys a head start in life. As a child is transitioning from adolescence to young adulthood, these boarder masters and leaders play an instrumental role in partnering with us as parents to set up our children for success.”
Nathan House
Drikus Hoffman
hoffmand@mcollege.co.za
Clark House
Ron Barbour
barbourr@mcollege.co.za
Hudson House
Kyle Emerson
emersonk@mcollege.co.za
Shepstone House
Ricky Chirengende
chirengender@mcollege.co.za
Elliott House
Cameron Fraser
fraserc@mcollege.co.za
All boarders at College begin their boarding lives at Nathan House. With a dedicated team of boarding staff and prefects, new boys learn the ins and outs of College life through a strong system of mentorship.
Once boys have completed their Form 2 years, they move on to one of three houses of their choice. Clark House accommodates boys from Form 3 to 5 and is truly representative of the rich College tradition, housed in the original school building from the 1800s.
Once boys have completed their Form 2 year, they move on to one of three houses of their choice. Hudson House accommodates boys from Form 3 to 5 and is underpinned by the Hudson House DNA – a system that allows them to ‘rest in confidence’.
Once boys have completed their Form 2 years, they move on to one of three houses of their choice. Shepstone House accommodates boys from Form 3 to 5. As our newest and most modern house, in its architecture, it is truly emblematic of the meeting of modern life and College heritage.
Elliott is where 6th form boarders call home for their final year at College. These boys come full circle, reunited with the brothers they first met in Nathan House, and now with independence and privileges that have been earned.
