Safety, Wellbeing, and Support

Gibb House provides a supportive home away from home where students are encouraged to thrive academically, socially, and personally. Our experienced boarding team works closely with students, families, and the wider College community to ensure every boarder feels safe, supported, and connected throughout their boarding journey.

Pastoral Care and Student Support

Boarding is about more than accommodation. It is about belonging to a community where students are known, valued, and encouraged to grow.

A wide network of support is available to boarders, including the Boarding Staff, College Nurses, Chaplain, Counsellor, Deans, and the wider wellbeing team. Students can seek support for academic, personal, spiritual, or wellbeing matters at any time.

Our guiding whakataukī, He Waka Eke Noa – we are all in this together – reflects the strong sense of community and mutual support that underpins life at Gibb House.

Health and Wellbeing

Boarders have access to a range of health and wellbeing services designed to support their physical and emotional health.

Support includes:

• Access to the College Health Centre and registered nurses
• First aid trained boarding staff
• Support for medical appointments and ongoing health needs
• Medication management and administration
• Access to counselling and wellbeing services
• Chaplaincy and pastoral support

Students who are feeling unwell can access support from boarding staff at any time, including overnight through the duty staff system.

Respect, Inclusion, and Belonging

Gibb House is committed to fostering a culture where all students feel respected, included, and safe.

Students are expected to demonstrate respect for themselves, others, and their environment. Boarding staff actively support positive relationships and work closely with students to address concerns relating to bullying, harassment, or wellbeing. Support is available through boarding staff, the Chaplain, Counsellor, and wider wellbeing team.

Security and Student Safety

Creating a safe physical environment is an important part of boarding life.

All boarders use secure digital access systems that provide access only to the areas of the boarding house appropriate to them. Boarding staff supervise student access and movements throughout the week.

CCTV operates in common areas, corridors, and entrances throughout the boarding facilities. Recordings are only accessed when required and are managed by authorised boarding staff.

Students are encouraged to secure personal belongings, and a boarding safe is available for valuables such as passports and significant amounts of cash.

Visitors and Access

To maintain a safe environment for all students, visitor access within boarding facilities is restricted.

Visitors, including family members, are welcomed through the designated boarding reception area and common spaces. Access to student accommodation areas is managed in accordance with boarding procedures and child safety requirements.

Safe Shared Spaces

Boarding houses include designated spaces for boys and girls, along with shared community areas.

Students are expected to respect boarding boundaries and shared spaces, helping to maintain a safe, comfortable, and respectful environment for everyone. The Lower Gibb common room provides a supervised shared space where students can socialise and connect.