Boarding FAQs

There are 320 boarders at Nudgee College (approximately 40 students in Year 7 and 40 students in Year 8, and 60 students per year level from Years 9 to 12).

• 65% of our boarders are from regional and rural Australia (particularly, QLD, NSW and NT). Nudgee College started as a boarding school for “boys from the bush” and we are dedicated to honouring this tradition. The remaining boarders are:
• 10% International (particularly Papua New Guinea and Pacific Islands and Expat families living internationally). 
• 10% Interstate from metropolitan areas (e.g. Darwin, Canberra, Sydney, Cairns)
• 10% Sunshine Coast and Northern NSW Coast
• 5% from Ipswich, Beaudesert and Greater Brisbane

• Our Boarding Houses operate as one Boarding Village with four Boarding Houses within this communal space. 
• There is one Junior Boarding House for Year 7s and Year 8s.
• There are three Senior Boarding Houses with a mix of students from Years 9 to 12 in each House.

• The overall Boarding program is overseen by our Dean of Boarding.
• The Junior Boarding House is overseen by our Director of Boarding, with a Head of Year 7, Head of Year 8, and House Mum making up the Senior team.
• Our Senior Boarding Houses are overseen by a Head of Boarding House, with two Assistant Heads of Boarding House and House Mum.
• Each Boarding House also has rostered Boarding Supervisors who are a mix of Old Boys, uni students, gap students and teachers.

• Each boy has his own individual room. This is from the start of his boarding journey in Year 7, all the way to Year 12. The spaces are the same for each boarder. 
• All Boarding Houses have kitchens on each floor where boys enjoy afternoon tea and supper, as well as a common room with facilities such as a pool table, ping pong, TV for watching movies, sport or playing games. 
• The Boarding Village has a communal area with BBQs for Sunday Brunch cookups and house dinners.

• Boarding is built on routine and structure, which we know helps boys develop independence and confidence to thrive. 
• Each weeknight includes afternoon activities, downtime or training, showers, dinner, reading, study, supper and activities followed by quiet time and much-needed rest. 
• Weekends involve Saturday sport (participating and supporting) and a range of planned onsite and offsite activities to keep the boys busy.
• Sunday evening marks the end of the weekend where the boys come together for our weekly Boarders’ Mass at 7.30 pm.

• We have a dedicated Recreation Coordinator whose role is to keep the boys busy from Friday evening to Sunday evening. 
• The beauty of being part of a big boarding program is that there are always boys in on weekends to spend time with. The ‘magic’ of boarding really happens on weekends when the boys are able to spend downtime together and consolidate those bonds. 
• There will be planned activities for Friday evening, Saturday evening and Sunday during the day. Saturdays are filled with GPS sports (participating and supporting). Some activities are optional, and others are compulsory. 
• An example of a weekend could look like this: Friday night - Swim in the pool (onsite), Saturday night - Game at Suncorp Stadium and Sunday - Trampoline Park. 
• Our program also includes social activities with other boarding schools so the boys can interact and develop friendships with girls and see their siblings.
• The Recreation Program is planned and communicated for the whole term to assist parents with their planning for visits.
• Boys are allowed to go on weekend leave throughout the term (except for the first weekend each term which is closed). The arrangements are made in advance and approved by parents, hosts and Boarding Staff through our boarding leave program.

• We have a structured Device Policy which limits access to devices and gradually releases more time based on age-appropriate usage and management. 
• For example, our youngest boarders have their phones stored in secure device lockers, and they are given access to them each night for a short window to call home after study. Their laptops are also stored in the locker overnight and then taken to school each morning.
• These policies are continuously reviewed, developed and updated to ensure the wellbeing and appropriate use of technology for our boarders.

Please download the relevant fee schedule below

• Domestic Student (Australian Citizen)
• Papua New Guinea or Pacific Islands Student
• International Student

Yes, you can book a tour online here. We're happy to accommodate tours outside the times shown if you are travelling to Brisbane on a specific date. Please call us on 07 3865 0422 to arrange this. 

• Because boarding is at capacity, transfers from a Day Student to Boarding are available only via the waitlist. 
• Please complete this form here.