Kingswood is pleased to share that work is progressing on an important development in junior boarding, with the creation of a dedicated new girls’ boarding block adjacent to the existing boys’ boarding block, Van Vuuren Village, on Park Road.

Approved by Council and supported through the development of additional school-owned properties, the project marks a significant next step in the evolution of boarding at the College. From 2027, junior girls will be welcomed into a purpose-developed environment modelled on the successful Van Vuuren Village approach, extending a distinctive Kingswood boarding model centred on care, community and age-appropriate independence.

This move reflects both the continued growth in pupil numbers and a considered progression in boarding across the College. This development extends a model of care, community and age-appropriate independence that has served our junior boys so well, and will offer the same distinctive home-away-from-home experience to junior girls.

Established in 2004 through the consolidation of adjoining properties, Van Vuuren Village has long provided a more contained and relational model of boarding for junior boys. Its structure, comprising individual homes within a secure shared environment, has supported a boarding experience shaped less by institution and more by family life. That philosophy now informs the new girls’ boarding block.

Smaller homes, shared outdoor spaces and communal gathering areas will support daily rhythms of life that encourage routine, belonging and informal family-style interaction. The model also allows siblings to spend time together due to the proximity of the junior boarding blocks, so strengthening the sense of community that is so important in the junior years.

Mrs Carissa Wilson, Head of the Junior School, notes that the project builds on what the College has already seen work well:

“Having already seen the benefits of the small, modular home approach through Van Vuuren Village, we are thrilled that Council has endorsed and invested in our vision for junior boarding. The move will allow for a more connected and family-oriented experience for our younger pupils. It is a model that builds on what we know works well, strengthening the sense of belonging that is so important at this age.”

College Head, Mr Leon Grové, described the development as part of a broader strategic commitment to modern, pupil-centred boarding:

“The shift towards smaller, more self-contained and homely boarding environments is a strategic priority for Kingswood. This model allows for more attentive oversight, stronger relationships and a greater sense of belonging for each pupil. Ultimately, it enables us to provide a higher standard of care, with pupil wellbeing firmly at the centre of our boarding ethos.”

Alongside this development, the current junior girls’ boarding house, Hobson House, will transition to a dedicated Senior School girls’ boarding house, forming part of a broader and measured reconfiguration of boarding across the College.

Together, these developments reflect a forward-looking approach to boarding at Kingswood, rooted in long-held values while responsive to the needs of modern families. Through this evolving model, the College continues to shape environments where pupils are supported not only academically, but in their sense of belonging, identity and growth.