When you choose a school you choose a way of life. When you choose Durban Girls' College you discover the warmth of of a lively extended family of girls, staff, parents and past pupils. You will be encouraged to develop a sound work ethic and individual qualities of responsibility, service and leadership. You will learn to act independently and with confidence and to show courtesy and consideration for others. College House, the school residence, lies at the heart of the school and there, in the attractive physical environment and caring atmosphere you will be challenged to become actively involved in all spheres of school life. "College House becomes your second home, your home-away from home..." The College House motto is: "NOT FOR ONE'S SELF, BUT FOR ALL". We aim to encourage girls to realise that individual freedom can be achieved through consideration for all. College House offers a spirit of camaraderie and an opportunity to strengthen friendships and exchange ideas. The newly refurbished residence offers weekly boarding to 65 girls from Grade 8 to Grade 12. Girls work out in the gym, read and watch TV in the lounge, and relax in the dorms, or with friends on the large verandah. Computers are networked to the school system for the girls' convenience. "College House is a place of love and warmth..."

College House provides the perfect venue for girls of all ages from different cultures, to live and work together and to develop skills of co-operation and communication. A resident House Mother is responsible for the well being of the girls, and four boarder mistresses supervise home work. Grade 11 and 12 girls enjoy the privilege of doing "prep" in private cubicles. College House, as seen through the eyes of Kate Janse van Rensburg in Grade 10. College House Boarding at College House has most certainly been a life-changing experience.

It takes time to adjust to living away from home and there is sometimes the odd bout of homesickness to newcomers but it has also been an opportunity to further our independence and to form friendships that will last forever. The memories and experiences that have been created at College House will be treasured and remembered by everyone. A normal College House day starts off with a ‘wake-up song’ at 6:00am (for the early birds) and 6:30 (for those who prefer to sleep in for a little longer). A bell is rung at 6:45 when roll call takes place in the lounge area, downstairs. After roll call we lead into the dining room where we say grace and eat breakfast. School then starts at 7:30.

At 10:00 it is tea break up at school. College House provides a ‘tea’ which includes juice and a snack. It is collected from the tuck shop area. At 12:40 it is lunch break. Each girl makes her way down to College House where lunch awaits them. This usually comprises of a variety of salads, a cooked meal and juice or water. This is the time where girls catch up with their friends on the day’s happenings or what exciting things they got up to at the weekend. After school at 14:25 we make our way back down to College House where a delicious tea snack and juice awaits us. We usually go up to our dorms and chat with our friends or sit in the lounge area and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate with our tea.

The majority of the girls then get ready for sport which begins at 15:00. The rest of the afternoon is our free time, where we can just relax, if we choose.There is a TV room downstairs where we can watch TV. Some of the energetic girls do tae-bo to a video. There is a computer room next door to the TV room which can be used during the afternoons as well as during prep time. Supper is at 17:50. After supper at 18:30, first prep begins. At 19:30 there is a prep break where we have a quick chat with our friends or sort out any homework problems we may have had. Prep then continues from 19:45 to 20:45. The prep bell is then rung and we are free to go upstairs and get ready for bed. Bedtimes are different, depending what grade you are in. Lights out in grade 8 and 9 are at 21:15. In grade 10, lights out is at 21:30. In grade 11 and matric the work load increases so later bedtimes are sometimes necessary. That would be an average day spent in the life of a College House boarder.

The décor of the dorms in College House has just been newly redone. It has been a big, positive change. The dorms have been refurbished and the beautiful wooden flooring restored and freshly varnished. Each dorm, for grades 8, 9 and 10, is made up of cubicles which are like separate compartments within the dorm. Each cubicle has a sliding door which can be easily closed when in need of privacy or time out. There are two girls per cubicle. Each girl has her own cupboard and bedside table. There is also a pin up board where reminders or personal decoration for the room can be put. The dorms have a wonderful homely effect and are tastefully furnished. College House also comprises of exciting aspects such as the annual once a term theme evening which is organized by our catering company. At these evenings we have to dress up to a specific theme and the best dressed wins a prize. Lucky draws also take place.

A delicious meal is prepared for us with an exciting dessert. We also have “inter-dorm” which takes place once a term. Each dorm dresses up to their own theme where we compete in various fun and rather uniquely interesting competitions. This is a great evening because the passion and spirit the girls show for their dorms is amazing to witness. Everyone gets really worked up into having a fun- filled time and it is a much looked forward to event. We also have a once a term outing outside of College House. We either go to movies, Adventure Golf or ice-skating. This is a time where girls get to bond with others and get to know each other better. College House (boarders) verses The School (day girls) takes place once a year. This is a time where College House burns with pride and the passion each girl shows for The House is definitely shown. There is a lot of spontaneous team spirit and meaningful encouragement from the sidelines. This is a time where we can show we are so proud to be recognized as College House Girls! At the end of the year there is a College House Christmas Dinner. It is the highlight of the term and is much looked forward to by everyone. The grade 9’s direct a play while the grade 8’s enact the play. It is a comedy type play which is usually absolutely hilarious. A huge amount of work is put into it by the girls involved.

Boarding is most definitely the best way to live a high school career. It prepares you for the real world because it teaches you independence and time management. I enjoy boarding because I am right on the school premises. I don’t have to worry about whether I can make it to a sports match, SCA rally or something exciting that is taking place at school because I am right there. I can volunteer to do things as well as go to events that I want to go to without worrying whether I can get a lift to the destined venue or not. Being a boarder also makes the time spent at your actual home so much more special. You begin to appreciate your family more because you have less time with them so you therefore treasure that time more. Four nights away from home per week is not really that bad because there are so many things happening. You do however look forward to the weekends. So far I have thoroughly enjoyed my years at boarding school.

It has allowed me to make close friendships that will last far longer than my high school career. It has given me the opportunity to become a better friend because we live with our friends. It has also given me a broader perspective on accepting others for who they are, by understanding them. It makes such a difference when you are living with other people every second of the day. Being a boarder has therefore taught me how to work better in a team. Boarding is a way to prepare yourself more for the real world and to treasure each moment given to you as a special gift. Written by Kate Janse van Rensburg Grade 10