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Welcome to Boarding

Life in the boarding community is vibrant and full of opportunity. Hillcrest International School offers flexible, weekly, and full boarding options for students aged 10 to 18 years.

  • Full boarding provides a term-long stay for students, including weekends.
  • Weekly boarding runs from Monday morning to Friday afternoon, excluding weekends.
  • Flexi-boarding provides an on-campus stay for students who select a few nights to stay during the term.

Weekend Trips

Boarding trips include exciting activities such as ice skating, paintballing, Go-karting, laser tag and 10-pin bowling. Regular shopping trips are organised for students to replenish their personal items and enjoy the vibrant shopping malls in the Karen area.

These trips allow students to bond with one another and gain more independence. Boarders’ suggestions are taken into consideration, provided their safety is not compromised.

Activities

During the week, many students take part in scheduled sports, with Saturday tournaments drawing strong support from all the boarders. After the school day ends, students enjoy full access to the school’s facilities, where basketball, football, and rugby are especially popular in their respective seasons. The gym is open from Monday to Thursday, and the mini basketball and football pitches within the boarding compound are in constant use, often coming alive again in the evening after prep, creating an exciting atmosphere for both players and spectators.

Beyond sport, there are plenty of ways for students to relax and connect. On clear evenings, boarders gather around the bonfire to share stories and unwind, while the addition of a piano has brought music to the heart of Toad Hall, with talented students often entertaining their peers. For those who prefer quieter activities, there are peaceful walks in the field, as well as regular pool and foosball competitions organised by the boarding prefects. Weekends offer time to recharge, with movies shown in the dining hall and music playing during free time, creating a warm and sociable environment.

Pastoral Care

Pastoral care within the boarding house is a shared responsibility, with all adults in the compound undertaking safeguarding training at the start of each academic year. Students are encouraged to raise any concerns, as are members of staff, ensuring that support is always accessible. The Head of Boarding works closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead, reporting all concerns and communicating with parents and guardians where appropriate.

Leadership development is an important part of boarding life. From Year 12, students are introduced to a range of leadership opportunities, meeting with Year 13 students and the Head of Boarding to explore how they can contribute to the wider school community. House parents are always available for informal conversations and provide ongoing support, including monitoring each boarder’s academic progress.

Boarding prefects play a key role in fostering communication between students and staff, helping to ensure that every voice is heard. Each week, the boarding community comes together after dinner in the dining hall to celebrate achievements and recognise individual successes. Students are encouraged to record their accomplishments in The Happy Book, with the Head of Boarding marking these moments with small rewards, creating a positive and supportive environment where progress is acknowledged and valued.

Our Boarding House

Toad Hall is a modern, comfortable boarding facility offering spacious rooms and a communal area in a warm, family-style environment. Separate wings for boys and girls accommodate two students per room, with senior students enjoying the privilege of a single room.

The House is run by dedicated House Parents, supported by a male and a female nurse who reside in the boys’ and girls’ sections respectively, ensuring a safe and supportive environment where students can thrive both academically and personally.

Meet the Team

Lubov Kuzi
Head of Boarding
Margaret Anna
Boarding Parent
Eric Asamba
Boarding Parent
Nancy Vidyasagar
Boarding Parent
Monicah Mungai
Boarding Nurse

Testimonials

Aaron Thomas, Year 13 student

‘As a person who had no prior experience of boarding, I found settling into Hillcrest very relaxing. Everyone in the House was so kind and welcoming, and I have made friends for life here. The House Parents are extremely lovely and easy to talk to. The meals are warm and nutritious. The lifestyle is so comforting and helps build a great routine for young people to get into good, healthy habits.’

Sharleen Aruasa, Year 10 student

‘Through my experience in boarding, I have become more independent. I have learned to take responsibility for my own time and my studies, which has really improved my school life. When I complete my homework early, I get more time to do my revision study, as well as committing myself to waking up early so that I can prepare for school.

Julie Balla, Year 13 student

‘I arrived at Toad Hall in August 2024, feeling the usual first day jitters. Having struggled to make friends at previous boarding schools, I was fully prepared for a difficult transition, but I couldn’t have been more wrong! The warmth from the students and the staff made this place feel like a home away from home almost instantly.

I quickly discovered that boarding could actually be fun, thanks to the range of exhilarating weekend activities, from bowling and cinema trips to ice skating – the list seemed endless.

The meals are fantastic, and I appreciate that we have a say in the menu. The facilities are top-notch, and we hold weekly meetings to discuss any problems that we may have within the boarding house, which are quickly resolved. Furthermore, the support is incredible – whether it’s the nurse tending to you when you are sick, or the house parents checking in at night. This is a place where I truly feel valued and supported; it has genuinely become my second home.’

Liz Okello, Year 13 student

‘My first days at boarding felt nerve-wracking; those scary stories I heard from other people’s experiences had me expecting the worst. However, walking into Toad Hall was like stepping into a little paradise. The meals were tasty, the rooms were cosy and the facilities were excellent, so any homesick feelings I had faded fast. Sure, the strict rules and routines were difficult to adjust to, but the staff and fellow boarders were always friendly and ready to help. Their genuine care turned what could have been a stressful experience into a warm, supportive community where I felt safe and comfortable.’

Lilly-May Wakefield, Year 13 student

‘Although the idea of boarding was terrifying at first, I have found it to be one of my favourite parts of being at Hillcrest. The community of boarders is one full of warm and welcoming people, and it is a place where I feel free to express myself as if I were at home; in fact, I consider boarding my home, too. I love it because I can laugh with my friends even after the school day has ended, having spent countless hours playing at the pool table, as well as enjoying breakfast and dinner together.

My room is a place where I can find comfort and downtime, making studying so much easier than in a noisy environment. I truly value my time spent as a boarder, learning how to share space with others, adjust to routines, and appreciate the fortune of having kind people surrounding me.’

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