Opportunities
Boarding at Don House
Kia Ora and a warm welcome to Don House. Don House is the boarding establishment of Waitaki Boys' High School.
Located in the coastal township of Oamaru, Don House has a proud tradition of moulding boys into fine young men of outstanding character. Don House boarders are confidently able to contribute positively to their school, families and communities and leave Don House as well rounded, educated young men.
Staff at Don House are dedicated, experienced, and holistically focused on all Don House boarders. We ensure that all our boys have a safe and enjoyable experience and feel a strong sense of belonging in Don House. Every boy is seen as an integral part of the Don House Whānau.
Don House facilities include 4 dormitories and a large communal common room. The Director of Boarding and Residential Manager offices are attached to the common room allowing great supervision and creating an energetic family atmosphere. Staff housing is all within proximity and staff are actively involved each day. A unique aspect of the Don House dormitories is that all boarders from Year 10 to Year 13 have individual rooms. The Year 12 and 13 boarders have their own kitchen and lounge area that helps with the transition from hostel life to being a young adult.
Recreational facilities include swimming and diving pool, full sized gym, weights room, tennis courts, turfed area, soccer, rugby and cricket fields, cricket nets and trapshooting range. Don House boarders are encouraged to take every opportunity and we have access to a wide range of off-site activities that we transport our boarders to each day.
Here at Don House, we are fortunate to have a diverse team from a variety of cultural and professional backgrounds who are passionate about supporting our Don House boys in reaching their full potential. Each member of our team utilises their own skill set when fulfilling their role, are open minded and can be flexible in their approach whilst continuing to uphold the values and boundaries that are important to Don House.
Alongside encouraging our Don House boys to do well academically and with their extracurricular activities, we also focus on developing our boys emotional, social, spiritual and independence skills to prepare our young men for the world they will be entering.
We thank you for considering Don House for your son.
DILIGENTIA ET LABORE
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Meet our Director of Boarding
Scott Mayhew, BPhed, PGDipTchgn
Scott is responsible for the overall management, leadership, enrolments, promotion, Kaupapa and vision of Don House. He is also responsible for the discipline, academic and co-curricular excellence of the boarders.
Scott has extensive experience and passion for boarding. He has worked in boarding schools since 2006. He was awarded the New Zealand Boarding School’s Association Leadership award in 2018 and has completed the Certificate in Residential Care and Tiaki Taiohi courses.
Scott also has an extensive coaching background having coached senior and junior sevens squads to national titles. This has enabled him to learn how to build positive and functional relationships that help get the best the of the Don House boarders every day.
"Through a strong sense of belonging Don House boarders can express themselves in all aspects of school and hostel life. Our extensive hostel programmes provide the opportunity for each boarder to develop positively as a man of outstanding character and leave Don House a well-rounded and confident young man”
How to Apply
If you are looking at Don House for your son please get in touch by registering your interest and we will get in touch with you.
After initial contact, we will then make an appointment for you and your son to come and visit the school and hostel, to meet the Rector and the Director of Boarding.
You will also be invited to attend the Open Day for Boarders, as well as the School Open Evening.
After you make a decision and put an application in (using the below enrolment form), this will then be considered by the Rector and Director of Boarding. Applications are considered on an individual basis using referees, application statements and background checks.
Don House Enrolment Director of Boarding
Scott Mayhew
027 285 3885
Residential Manager
Chelsea Seddon
027 406 6608
