Meet our School Leaders 2022
Our annual education special once again features a combination of our head student and principal features, to bring you a unique insight into those leading some of our most prestigious schools and the visions they have for their school community in the year ahead.
Ashburton College
Principal – Ross Preece
Looking towards our future it is exciting that our new build has begun. In early 2019 it was announced that Ashburton College would receive a $60 million dollar rebuild. This was necessary because our old buildings were not fit for modern learning, plus our roll will grow significantly over the next 10 years. The prediction is that our peak roll will be 1,600 students. Roll growth is welcome as it enables a comprehensive curriculum and menu of sporting and cultural activities. The number of sub-divisions opening up, the employment opportunities, and the burgeoning rolls of our feeder schools all point to this predicted peak roll becoming the reality. It is a really exciting time to be planning for the future of Ashburton College.
As a school we have two overall drivers to take us forward. The first is a recognition of the importance of cultural responsiveness and continuing positive relationships with our community. Strong community support enables our college to thrive.
Our college is increasingly ethnically diverse. It is a source of pride to us, as a school, that our students embrace diversity, and our student body welcomes those who have differences to
themselves. Acceptance and understanding also extends beyond ethnicity to areas such as our Rainbow Youth and those struggling with anxiety or mental health.
Our second driver is based on our College Vision that ‘learners will be engaged in learning for life, and they will be collaborative, connected and creative’. As a school with a forward focus, we recognise the importance of these ‘three Cs’. The old mantra of read, remember, recall and recite is lessened with anytime, anywhere information being available to all. The real challenge for schools is around creating programmes that foster creativity, collaboration and an ability to connect. Schools have been very good at evaluating a learner’s ability to read, remember and recite. The question may well be – do we need to measure how creative a person may be, or ask whether they can collaborate?
Again, there are exciting times ahead but, of course, we understand that any change creates uncertainty, and that uncertainty often leads to anxiety. Whilst we can appreciate the need for change, we also understand that any change creates challenges and possibly some angst for those participating.
Finally, I would like to recognise our student leadership, particularly over the last three years, during lockdowns and Covid restrictions. Our leaders have been brilliant at connecting with and supporting their fellow students via numerous social media platforms.
On behalf of all our students, ‘tino pai’.
Head Students
Jack Brown & Jorja Roulston
As we turn the page and enter our 2022 chapter, we are hopeful that this year will bring opportunity and success as we continue to adapt to our ever-changing environment and our new-found ‘normal’.
It is with great pride that we take our first steps as Head Students of Ashburton College. We are looking forward to working alongside our deputies, TC Trusler-Clark and Millar Newlands, and staff and students across all years as we work towards our goals appointed for the upcoming year.
These goals involve continuing to grow and express the cultural diversity and individuality of the students at Ashburton College,
while striving towards further developing and increasing links between year groups. We aim to create an increase in school spirit, building passion and pride.
As we work in conjunction with our fellow Year 13 leaders, we are already seeing immense enthusiasm around setting goals and working towards achieving them, with a large focus on creating unity between all students within our school. We want our students to have the best possible experience at Ashburton College.
We pride ourselves on the diversity and diligence of our students, and we wish to bring the positives of Ashburton College life into our community.
Mā iti, mā rahi, ra rapa te whai –Working together, we will achieve.
New Students’ Q&A
Year 9 Students Yumi Cabalse, Ashton Cromie, Kaha Frost and Siosiana Taufa were interviewed in their second week at college and shared what they were enjoying:
+ Being at a school with older students who have been ‘really helpful’, nice and are good role models.
+ Being able to choose some subjects.
+ Meeting new people, having different teachers for different subjects, moving around classes, and using different equipment – such as in Science classes.
+ Having really nice teachers.
+ Having lots of opportunities – sport, music and many other options.
+ The canteen, which has different food each day, at an affordable price.
+ All four students described their first weeks in one word each – exciting, awesome, fun and fantastic.
Ashburton College’s Values for all in our College Community are:
Quality/Te Ata Pai
Pride/Manawa Whakahīhī
Respect/Whakaute
Craighead Diocesan School
Principal – Lindy Graham
2021 was another disrupted year in terms of teaching and learning. With the country at COVID-19 Alert Level Two, we had to rearrange the way we usually conclude the school year – such as running prize-givings via livestream and modifying our traditional Leavers’ Ball format! But we got there.
The Omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to challenge us all across Aotearoa New Zealand. More than ever, the strong, grounded values inherent in the Craighead school community provide all those within it some reassurance and consistency. We continue to push forward as a school, and remain determined to make the best of the situation we find ourselves in. As always, we are very pleased with the consistently high academic attainment by our senior students in NCEA for 2021!
One of the highlights for our school community last year was in supporting our three Old Girl Olympians when they competed at the Tokyo ‘2020’ Olympic Games. Congratulations to Natalie Rooney (Trapshooting), Lauren Bruce (Hammer Throw), and Emma Dyke (Rowing) for gaining selection to compete at the
highest level of competition in their respective sports. Emma and the New Zealand Women’s Rowing Eight crew won a silver medal, which is an outstanding achievement!
There will be numerous and varied challenges to negotiate during 2022, but we are confident that it will be an exciting time for the staff and students of Craighead. Our refurbished kitchen is now fully operational under the management of new catering company Cater Plus. Our Board of Proprietors are progressing plans to upgrade the historic Shand House, and we are in the initial concept stage of replacing the large West Watson teaching, learning and administration block.
Head Students for 2022, Alysha Bradley and Zara Coleman, appreciate the importance of assisting new students to transition to secondary school. Our Year 13 students are relishing their role as ‘Big Sisters’!
Although we are not currently in a position to offer personalised tours of our school for prospective enrolments in 2023 or beyond (due to visitor restrictions), we will soon be able to offer a ‘virtual tour’ of our school that families can access from home. We remain confident that, for those looking for a progressive, inclusive values-based Christian education in the Anglican tradition, Craighead can provide a unique education for your daughters.
Head Student
Alysha Bradley
I am honoured to be appointed the role of Head Girl of Craighead Diocesan School for 2022. Whilst enrolling in Craighead at Year 7 was a difficult decision, I have had the opportunity to create many wonderful memories and friendships. As Head Girl, I aspire to empower people, inspiring them to pursue their passions whilst striving for personal excellence, and embracing their individuality and identity. These are the things that I am passionate about, and I believe are crucial in our increasingly diverse school community.
As a year group we wanted to build on these ideas, and decided on the theme ‘Embrace me, Build you, Love us’. We wanted the students of Craighead to celebrate their identity and individuality, supporting each other in personal growth, and accepting one another thus enabling us to come together as whānau.
Individuality is important to me and is exemplified by my
involvement in a wide range of extracurricular activities and committees on offer at Craighead. Through these I have discovered my love of the technologies, arts, sports, and academia, all of which I embrace as part of who I am. As music is by far my biggest passion, I am very fortunate to have a school community that appreciates my skill and passion, challenges me to perform at my best and supports me unwaveringly.
I am thankful for the opportunities and assistance Craighead has provided for myself and my deputy Zara Coleman.
I am confident that with the guidance of our Senior Leadership Team and the support of my peers in Year 13, 2022 is going to be a memorable year!
At a Glance
+ Craighead is a State-Integrated Anglican Years 7–13 Boarding and Day School for young women, situated in Timaru, South Canterbury.
+ Our Boarding House caters for up to 125 boarders, with a state-of-the-art senior boarding wing, where a strong sense of community is developed within our family atmosphere.
+ We have small class sizes and offer a wide range of options.
+ Our students consistently perform well above national averages in NCEA, and perform to high levels in sporting and cultural endeavours.
+ Entry to Craighead is not academic ability based. We enjoy diversity and support every student to discover her own capabilities, and to pursue her own personal excellence.
+ We offer outstanding teaching and learning environments, enabling students to access technological skills required for today’s learners.
+ Learning Support is offered to students who need extra assistance.
+ Student Wellbeing is a priority, with a range of support systems in place.
+ Our vertical Whānau groups provide connection and a sense of belonging to our school community through Big Sister relationships.
Geraldine High School
Simon Coleman, Principal
Geraldine High School is a thriving multi-cultural, co-educational school set on a picturesque campus in the bustling town of Geraldine.
Catering to students from Year 7 through to 13, Geraldine High School has all the benefits of a city school in a rural environment, which means our students have a full curriculum, comparable to any city school, with the added bonus of being able to fully embrace our rural surrounds and close proximity to the mountains and rivers through our varied teaching and learning programmes.
Our curriculum, coupled with our inclusive school culture, provides an environment for learning which allows all of our students to succeed in whatever they put their minds to. As a school we are continuously striving to expand our students’ future opportunities by presenting as many and varied options as possible all within a safe and supportive school environment.
This year’s school theme is ‘Tu maia, tu kaha’ which means to stand tall, be strong, and supports our focus to develop lifelong learners who successfully contribute, participate and interact with others. It is also a timely theme given the disruptions our students, especially our senior students, have experienced over recent years, and the necessary resilience and confidence they have had to develop to negotiate unexpected change.
Geraldine High School has a team of amazing educators from a diverse range of teaching backgrounds and experience. This allows us to create a breadth of innovative learning experiences for our students that include academic, vocational, social and the outdoors.
Our team is looking to the future and designing curriculum change which prepares our students for a rapidly changing world. We aim for our students to be critical thinkers, have a growth mindset, receive and give effective feedback and be effective communicators, which are all qualities that research has shown employers are looking for when recruiting new workers.
Geraldine High School is at the heart of our community and we have a long history of forging strong connections with our district. Much of our teaching and learning takes full advantage of our fantastic natural environment, our supportive community and the strong and positive relationships we have established with those involved in a variety of outdoor pursuits, agriculture, business and community organisations.
Our school remains a popular choice for many families and our burgeoning roll reflects the growth of our town. We invite you to see for yourself – I would be delighted to show you around our school.
Head Students
Robert Furrer & Hazel Fisher
Geraldine High School is a school with a welcoming and friendly atmosphere, a place for all students to be offered equal opportunities. This creates an atmosphere where pupils can feel supported to step outside of their comfort zone, and as a result grow as individuals.
We both started Geraldine High School in Year 7 and have fond memories of the exciting experiences and aspects of school life that were on offer to us throughout our time here. After the challenges we have faced due to Covid over the last few years, we are well equipped to come up with alternative ways to overcome limitations and adversity.
Our whakataukī for this year is ‘Tu maia, Tu kaha’ which means stand tall, be strong.
We will endeavour to weave it through all aspects of school life and encourage students to have a courageous and steadfast approach to challenges that may arise throughout the school year. To us it also highlights the importance of having pride in yourself, as in order to know where you are heading, you need to understand where you stand and where you come from.
Geraldine High School has offered us the support, encouragement and opportunities to be able to strive to reach our goals. We have been involved in many aspects of school life, both academically and in other areas such as sports, outdoor education and Gateway. All of these experiences have taught us the values of perseverance, ambition, and the fundamentals of working in a team environment.
Nelson College
Richard Dykes, Tumuaki (principal)
Nau mai, haere mai ki Te Kura Tamatāne o Whakatū.
Welcome to Nelson College. Young men want to challenge themselves, enjoy themselves, and want to make history.
College is a time for them to try new things, build lifelong friendships, and succeed academically as they prepare for life beyond school. It’s a place where they must be safe and feel that they belong. Nelson College provides this through extensive academic and co-curricular programmes and, most importantly, through our world-class boarding programme.
Boarding has been at the heart of Nelson College since its inception in 1856. Today it’s a vibrant part of our school culture, with young men from around New Zealand and the globe. We welcome boarders of all ethnicities, orientations, beliefs, abilities and social demographic backgrounds.
Today’s young men are very different from when our school started 166 years ago. They’re diverse and aspire to a wide range of careers and community involvement at and beyond college.
At Nelson College we’re here to support you and your son. To create a safe, challenging and fun environment that will see him succeed as himself in today’s and tomorrow’s world.
Our academic and co-curricular programmes are designed with boys in mind. We want our students to be excited about life, knowing that it’s often challenging, and to discover and pursue their dreams. Boarding at Nelson College will give your son a range of opportunities in the beautiful Te Tauihu or ‘Top of the South’. Students live in newly refurbished hostels and after hours enjoy school facilities such as our gymnasiums, pool, weights room, playing fields and music suites.
Most boarders stay for at least four years, adding to the close-knit family environment of the houses. Rangatahi enjoy a safe and busy lifestyle which gives them access to structured academic support, widespread opportunities, and the beautiful Nelson region.
We emphasise strong communication between home and boarding staff who ensure the safety and development of your son. These staff also have close links to the day school, strengthening the academic support for all boarders.
I want to see your son belong and excel at Nelson College. I look forward to working together to find your son’s passion and to start his legacy at Nelson College.
Tuakana Matua (Head Boy)
Om Maisuria
It is an honour and a privilege to be Tuakana Matua/Head Boy of Nelson College for 2022.
Established in 1856, Nelson College is the oldest state high school in New Zealand. It upholds a rich history of traditions and legacies that are passed down through generations of Old Boys. I am proud to be a part of this as the Class of 2022.
This year, Nelson College has eight Tuakana (Student Leaders) as well as the House Leaders. Having a leadership team enables us to develop leadership skills within a supportive group, enabling us to create new legacies for positive student change. Having a diversity of Tuakana also really helps the younger students to identify and relate to the school leaders.
My experience so far this year has been influenced by COVID-19. It has encouraged me to rise to the challenge and adapt to this fast-changing situation. Hopefully, these challenges will give all the Tuakana the skills to better adjust to changes and unexpected conditions, so that we can lead the student cohort through this tough time.
I started my Nelson College journey in Year 7 at the Preparatory School. Since then, it has been my dream to be Tuakana Matua for Nelson College. The previous Head Boys have left an exciting legacy and I intend to carry that out and pass it on.
At a Glance
Discover. Challenge. Extend. Support.
+ Boarding is at the heart of Nelson College
+ Welcoming family environment
+ Two fully renovated boarding hostels on the edge of the school campus
+ Mix of New Zealand and International students
+ High-level academic and leadership programmes
+ More than 30 different sports options
+ Tutor support for academic studies
+ Year-round outdoor adventure activities including mountain biking, kayaking, skiing and tramping, as well as numerous cultural festivals
+ Nelson College upholds the principals of manaakitanga, encouraging students to make the most of every opportunity, pursue their passions and be resilient in their pursuit of excellence
Start Your Legacy at Nelson College.
Nelson College for Girls
Cathy Ewing, Principal
We are proud of the way that our students aim to be ‘their best at NCG’ in everything that they do. Our vision is to ‘educate, empower and nurture each student’. We have a very dedicated team of senior leadership, teaching and support staff who are forward thinking and passionate about realising this vision.
In 2021, we began an exciting new future-focused curriculum for our Year 9 students, and this has been extended for Year 10 this year.
At NCG our students are educated in an environment which encourages purposeful, engaged learners, with respectful relationships with each other and staff. We endeavour to ensure that students go into the world with confidence and with a sense of pride at achieving to the best of their abilities.
It is well researched and acknowledged that successful learning outcomes rely upon having a good sense of wellbeing. Our ārahi mentoring system, which is based around vertical groupings of students with one teacher, focuses on the wellbeing
and academic progress of each student. This system, introduced in 2018, has been very successful at developing strong relationships and ensuring that students are supported throughout their learning journey at NCG. Our philosophy behind the mentoring programme in ārahi time is:
• To build stronger relationships with ākonga and whānau; working in a partnership to improve educational outcomes
• To be future focused and up to date with 21st-century learning, to help students to cope with our rapidly changing world
• To help our ākonga help themselves to be better learners and prepare them for a lifetime of learning.
We encourage our students to fully participate in a wide range of sporting, cultural and other extra-curricular activities. These activities are supported by very passionate staff and through this dedication and hard work of the students, we see NCG repeatedly succeed in many of these activities. As they progress through the school there is considerable opportunity for leadership and the school recognises the importance of fostering the self-confidence and sense of pride that comes from this.
Our boarding hostel, CJ House attracts students from all over the country and overseas, giving an enriched vitality to our school’s culture.
In deciding to come to NCG, your daughter will find herself in a vibrant learning environment and caring community that will empower her to grow and develop as a young woman to ‘Be her Best’.
Director of Boarding
Katrina Rowley
Nelson College for Girls, Boarding Hostel CJ House is a home away from home. We pride ourselves on being one big caring family where every student belongs. It is a vibrant, homely, and stimulating environment where we welcome students from all over New Zealand and overseas. We welcome the student’s family and caregivers too. We are in regular communication with families and make them feel included in our boarding life. We like to keep our Facebook page alive with our latest boarding house activities.
Our Director of Boarding, Katrina Rowley was newly appointed in July 2021. Katrina comes from an emergency medical background and most recently worked at the Student Office at Nelson College for Girls for five years. Over the last six months Katrina and her wonderful, dedicated team have built on the solid foundations and traditions our hostel already held and have introduced some exciting new initiatives. Some of these include extending their family and welcoming some ‘free-range’ boarders, the chickens, Garfield, Mandy and Miss B. They are well and truly part of the family, providing lots of entertainment
and of course fresh eggs daily. Some of the other activities include after-school swimming, in-house challenges, quizzes, going to Time Zone, Secret Santa, High tea, and when Covid times allow, Mr Whippy visits frequently.
The hostel is safe and secure and sits on the school grounds. There is a less than one-minute walk to school and only a five-minute walk to our wonderful Nelson city, and we are closely positioned to many mountain bike tracks and great walking tracks. Some students participate in rowing practice, sailing, team sports, ballet, music practice and many more activities. Whatever your interests may be, we try our best to accommodate as many out-of-school activities as possible. We don’t mind getting you off to rowing at 5.30 am, and keeping your dinner hot if you have had an activity later in the evening!
If you are considering boarding as an option, then we welcome a phone call to arrange a suitable time for you to come and meet us and we can give you a tour of our hostel. We would love you to experience our friendly, family environment at CJ House, where every student belongs.
St Andrew’s College
Rector – Christine Leighton
The St Andrew’s College community has welcomed 2022 with positivity and a determination to find ways of celebrating and being a community in these challenging times.
This year St Andrew’s will mark the 30th anniversary of the college becoming officially co-educational in 1992. It was a momentous occasion when the first female students walked through the gates at St Andrew’s in 1991, transforming our traditional all-boys school forever.
More girls joined in 1992 when the school opened the state-of-the-art Senior College, built to accommodate the needs of a co-educational learning environment. Girls now make up around 40 per cent of our roll, and female teachers make up 52 per cent of our staff. Some of the children of those first girls now attend the college.
Today we are proud to be the South Island’s only independent school offering pre-school to Year 13 education for both boys
and girls. I went to a co-educational school myself and believe it is the best way to prepare young people for their future in a diverse society.
Collaboration in the co-ed classroom helps boys and girls in many ways. They gain a fresh perspective from each other intellectually, develop socially, and become more confident in expressing their views around members of the opposite sex. Our students are introduced to both male and female role models, and learn how to develop realistic and meaningful relationships, which are skills they carry throughout their lives.
St Andrew’s College was founded on values of Truth, Excellence and Faith, and in recent years we have added two new foundation values – Creativity, and Inclusivity, a value which is particularly resonant in our fast-changing 21st-century world.
Despite the disruptions caused by COVID-19 over the last two years, students at St Andrew’s College have continued to thrive in their academic and co-curricular pursuits. This is a testament to the resilience of our students, the hard work and dedication of our staff, and the programmes we have put in place, particularly our comprehensive online learning programme, which stood up to the challenges of two lockdowns.
We are strongly committed to the holistic development of our students, and central to all that we do is our purpose, ‘Together building better people for life’. We strive to ensure our students leave St Andrew’s with not only a world-class education, but also the mental agility, emotional intelligence, and resilience to survive and flourish in life beyond secondary school.
Head students
Harry Withers & Grace Lawrence
One of the first tasks for Harry Withers and Grace Lawrence as the new Head Boy and Head Girl at St Andrew’s College was to reveal a clever 2022 theme to students, called ‘Unity Builds Community’ which is highly relevant in these challenging times.
Created by these positive young role models, alongside an enthusiastic prefect team, they plan to foster a community built on trust, inclusivity, and compassion, where everyone feels a true sense of belonging, says Grace. ‘We know that the times ahead bring uncertainty but want everyone to feel certainty in their place here at St Andrew’s. We hope everyone will pitch in and embrace this attitude.’
Harry says without a wider community to
interact with due to COVID-19 restrictions, having strong connections between students in the college is vital. ‘Our vision is to create a sense of belonging in everyone, to grow a community where people build others up and allow them to shine.’
Both Harry and Grace excel in their academic and co-curricular pursuits. Harry is a 1st XI hockey player and is a brilliant performer who has had several lead roles in productions. Grace is a highly talented musician who is Concertmaster of the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Symphony Orchestra for 2022, and in 2021 was in the winning group from St Andrew’s at the New Zealand Chamber Music Contest.
These multi-talented young leaders are looking forward to representing the 2022 student body at St Andrew’s College and are both highly approachable and relatable.
Scholarships at St Andrew’s college
Students with exceptional abilities who receive academic, sport and music scholarships at St Andrew’s College are well supported to reach their potential, in an environment with a recognised culture of excellence, top-class facilities, outstanding teachers, and a diverse academic and co-curricular programme.
With funding from the St Andrew’s College Foundation and private scholarships, St Andrew’s offers Academic Scholarships for up to two Year 7 students and up to five Year 9 students; a range of Sporting and Cultural Scholarships for students from Years 7–13; the George Feilding Hight Scholarships for young men and women from rural communities of the South Island; the John Sinclair Scholarship for a Year 11 student, an Endeavour Scholarship (a needs-based scholarship selected on academic and all-round potential); and various Government Bursaries, which assist with students’ study costs.
Scholarships are also available for the college’s exceptional Pipe Band, which was second in the Juvenile section at the World Pipe Band Championships in 2018.
St Margaret’s College
Executive Principal – Diana Patchett
It is widely accepted that the world will benefit from new combinations of leadership, ones where women play a fundamental role. It is our intention at St Margaret’s College (SMC) to realise the next generation of young women with strong traditional values, empowered to step confidently into the modern world.
SMC offers that balanced foundation. We are a modern school with incredible facilities and opportunities, founded on traditional family and Christian values. At the same time, we are a traditional school, rich in culture and heritage, filled by modern girls who aspire to make a positive difference in the world, supported by families who share high expectations for their girls.
And these expectations are not just academic ones. SMC continues to be amongst the top academic schools in the country, with a curriculum tailored to best meet the needs of our girls, while giving them a rich and rewarding involvement in sports and the arts to an elite level.
No two children are the same, and that is a good thing. At SMC, we celebrate diversity, we amplify it, for we know that each girl comes to us with her own gifts and abilities, and that it is our privilege to uncover those, and more, to set her up for success, whatever success looks like for her, as she moves through our school and then out into the world.
Making that all important decision around schooling is one no parent takes lightly. It is a significant investment, but one that your child will reap the rewards of for the rest of their life.
Knowing and playing to your strengths, being an open-minded and flexible thinker, having confidence in your own skills and abilities, practising well-developed interpersonal and collaborative skills to be able to work well with others, and perhaps most importantly, demonstrating the resilience to embrace failure as a necessary means to realising a solution to new challenges – these are invaluable life skills for all ages.
At SMC, the development of these powerful graduate attributes is intrinsic to the academic, social, physical and spiritual programmes we afford our girls. In this way, any concerns for the unknown aspects of their future can become a tailwind that propels them forward, encourages them to ‘Take Flight’, and not a headwind to hold them back.
At the heart of it all, St Margaret’s College is a family that values each girl for the gifts and talents she brings, that provides a safe place for her to take on new challenges and empowers her to learn, live and lead. We invite you to discover the benefits of an SMC education for your daughter by booking your virtual personal tour today.
Head student
Tehya Laws
Being a member of the St Margaret’s College community has provided me with such incredible growth, allowing me to develop my confidence through the variety of opportunities offered here. I have been constantly supported in every endeavour, which has established my passion for and dedication to empowering others.
I am truly honoured to be Head Girl this year, working alongside our Principal, Mrs Patchett, Georgie House as Deputy Head Girl and the incredible team of prefects. We are dedicated to creating a supportive environment, where every student is encouraged to take risks and face our fear of failure, through our school theme, Take Flight. The five values of diversity, integrity, empowerment, courage, and perseverance have been chosen to align with the theme this year, speaking to the importance of remaining committed and true to our individual journeys, no matter its appearance to others.
Diversity is displayed through our appreciation of one another’s individuality, accepting that others’ pathways will look different to our own. Integrity, through our consistent resolve to remain authentic to oneself, and choosing to do what is right, even when no one is looking. Empowerment is raising each other up
and providing a network of support, through the bad times and the good. Courage being exhibited by way of bravely trying new things and taking risks, although it might be daunting. And finally, perseverance is exemplified through our ability to keep going even when we cannot see beyond the clouds.
This is a theme intended to be accessible to SMC students of all ages, enabling us to build even stronger connections within our college community. By the end of this year, we hope we will have inspired our fellow students to discover their wings and learn to fly.
Experience SMC
+ SMC for a Day and Boarders‘ Sleepover – 17–18 May
+ SMC for a Day and Boarders‘ Sleepover – 19 September
To find out more, or to book a virtual, one-to-one personal tour, please contact us today.
Timaru Boys’ High School
Rector – David Thorp
2022, another COVID-19 year! However, at Timaru Boys’ High School, we aim to provide our students with the best school experiences possible in this time of disruption. Learning and academic achievement are always the main areas of focus, but high school is much, much more than that. It’s where we work and play together with a diverse bunch of people and develop the important life skills of critical thinking, self-awareness and empathy.
We believe a well-rounded education should include involvement in our massive extra-curricular programme. It doesn’t matter what our boys do – Badminton, Rugby, Choir, Kapa Haka, Tennis, Musical Productions, Basketball, Shooting, the Environmental Group, to name just a few – because the most important thing is the sense of belonging and mateship they get from being part of something bigger than themselves.
We are rightly proud of our NCEA results in 2021. We had lifts in achievement in every NCEA level and in University Entrance. Our school curriculum is based on the needs of our students.
We have the full range of academic subjects for those seeking a university pathway, and we have extensive and meaningful courses in Technology, Construction and careers-based learning for those interested in trades and other vocations. Whatever boys do, they are supported by their teachers to achieve their goals. The concept of ‘high expectations’ is still in fashion here.
When I first started at Timaru Boys’, I was struck by the strong working relationships between the teachers and the students. Educationists would call this ‘Relational Pedagogy’, but at TBHS it’s just part of what we do – know the students, find out what works with each individual and show them that you care about their success and wellbeing. This simple strategy also operates in Thomas House, the school boarding hostel. This is the students’ home and the staff go out of their way to ensure that the boys feel comfortable and valued.
Timaru Boys’ High is a school for everyone. It doesn’t matter whether they’re a boarder from up the Rangitata River, a bus boy from Makikihi or a town boy living right next door in North Street; they all become part of the Boys’ High whānau. They are valued for their unique identity but they will now share a history and an ethos that dates back to 1880. We welcome them all.
Mā te mātauranga te mana – Knowledge is power.
Head Boy
James Guerin
It is a huge honour to be named the Head Boy at Timaru Boys’ High School for 2022. I am eagerly anticipating the year ahead to learn, grow and prepare for the next chapters in my life.
I am from the Mackenzie Country and have grown up on a sheep and beef farm. I am extremely passionate about agriculture and animal health, wishing to pursue this next year by studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at Massey University.
It makes me proud to say that I have spent my high school years here at TBHS as well as in Thomas House, our boarding hostel. With a roll of 660 boys at school and 138 in the hostel, not only are we the largest school in South Canterbury but also one of the largest boys’ hostels in New Zealand. We have a great community here at TBHS which is rich in diversity, academia and sporting success, making us a school full of opportunities.
At Boys’ High, we take great pride in providing a high-quality education as well as five-star facilities, while maintaining the values that parents have already installed. I am extremely excited to work alongside my deputies, Pero Forman and Jacob Lyon as well as the amazing prefect team and passionate staff members who work hard to ensure boys are set up for life.
The prefect team and I are looking forward to what the future holds and hope to make a positive impact on our school and our fellow students. Bring on 2022!
At a Glance
+ Our school curriculum is based on the needs of our students. We have the full range of academic and trades-based courses.
+ We believe that a well-rounded education should include involvement in our massive extra-curricular programme.
+ Whatever boys do, they are supported by their teachers to achieve their goals. The concept of ‘high expectations’ is still in fashion at Timaru Boys’ High!
+ Thomas House, the school boarding hostel, is the boys’ home and the staff go out of their way to ensure that the boys feel comfortable and valued.
Waihi School
Headmaster – Allan Short
At Waihi School, we take great pride in our history and traditions. Each generation has written their own stories ‘Behind the Hedge’, from the first three boys arriving in 1907, to the introduction of day boys almost a century later. In 2021, we were excited to create a new chapter in our history book as we became co-educational for the first time.
In the past 114 years six girls, all daughters of Headmasters, had been educated at Waihi and we were proud to welcome our ‘foundation girls’ last year. These first five courageous young people added their strength and character to our proud Waihi whānau and took up every opportunity presented to them. In the last 12 months Waihi enrolments have grown by over 20 per cent and the school is thriving with boys and girls together enjoying all the school has to offer.
Our school has been shaped by strong values and the rural boarding experience that we offer. We understand the formative years of your child’s education are extremely important. The experiences, values and challenges that are presented to them at
this stage of their development are fundamental in helping to shape and determine their character, dispositions, and future pathways.
This is a wonderfully exciting time for the future of Waihi. The school continually punches above its weight; in the classroom and on the sports field as a result of a focus on teaching with pride, passion and positive expectations, together with pastoral care that puts the individual at the centre of all we do.
Our well-established weekly Outdoor Education programme, using both bespoke on-site facilities and our wonderful and diverse South Canterbury environment, is a favourite of our students, helping to build individual character, ignite curiosity and develop skills outside of the norm.
We invite you and your family to come and visit our unique school to see how we nurture individual success, with opportunity to learn, challenge and grow as individuals. Look through our website to gain an insight into what Waihi can offer your child and family. I especially encourage your family to come and visit us on-site, to gain a ‘real’ sense of the possibilities that are on offer for your daughter or son at our incredibly special school.
Inaugural Head Girl
Toia Sheed
As one of the founding five girls at Waihi it took a lot of courage, but I was not alone. Like the reeds I felt stronger with the support of my whānau, my twin sister by my side and the wider Waihi School whānau. I desired the same opportunities as my older brother and before long I settled into Waihi and made lots of new friends.
What I love about Waihi is the relationships we have with the teachers. We are encouraged to think for ourselves and believe in ourselves. My happy place is when I’m playing sports, but I also enjoy choir, kapa haka, speech and drama and being in the art room.
It’s an honour to be the first Waihi Head Girl alongside Head Boy Paddy Laidlaw. I want to make new students feel welcome and help them get involved in the many opportunities unique to Waihi. This year I am really looking forward to doing the Rail Trail, mixing with other schools through sports, the kapa haka festival and the Annual Year 8 school production.
In changing times, the Waihi spirit remains fun and adventurous.
Key Scholarship Dates 2022
+ Waihi School Academic Scholarships
Applications close 6 May 2022
+ Waihi School Sports Scholarships
Applications close 6 May 2022
+ Waihi School Cultural Scholarships
Applications close 6 May 2022
+ Waihi School Boarding All Rounder Scholarships
Applications close 1 July 2022
+ Waihi Association Scholarships
Day Student Scholarship, Boarding Scholarships, Southern Lakes Scholarship, Prosser Family Music Scholarship
Applications close 1 July 2022
+ Waihi School Headmaster’s Scholarships
Applications close 17 October 2022
Waitaki Girls’ High School
Elizabeth Koni, Principal
Waitaki Girls’ High School is proudly a school for young women. We value the benefits that a single-sex educational environment offers, including the opportunity for young women to be challenged, to take risks and to step out of their comfort zones in an environment that is safe, positive and nurturing. At Waitaki Girls’, every young woman is able to build positive self-esteem and the confidence to participate without hindrance in all aspects of school life. We aspire to develop strong, empowered young women and this is what I see on campus every day.
We are proudly a school inspired by our 135-year history of providing an exceptional educational experience. Our motto, Dulcius Ex Arduis – Satisfaction from Hard Work, is what we live by in order to achieve our mission of inspiring personal excellence in learning and life. We explicitly teach the value of working hard, building resilience and pursuing excellence, ensuring that each young woman who attends finds the level of success she is truly capable of. This extends beyond academia in the classroom, to apply to the diverse range of sporting, cultural and service pursuits which all students participate in.
We are proudly a school of high expectations for effort, behaviour and attitude. At Waitaki Girls’ we believe that every young woman has qualities, capabilities and passions that can contribute positively to our school community and our society. As educators it is our responsibility to help our students discover what these are and ensure that they aspire to be the best that they can be. High expectations support this process and we are unashamed about teaching and expecting our young women to strive for the highest degree of effort, behaviour and attitude in all that they do.
We are proudly a school committed to values-based education. Every student takes part in our Positive Education programme which focuses on life-long wellbeing, encouraging young women to strengthen their relationships, build positive emotions, enhance personal resilience, promote a growth mindset and encourage a healthy lifestyle. Incorporating values-based learning, alongside the academic, sporting, cultural and service opportunities at school, allows the young women who attend Waitaki Girls’ to flourish, not only in their learning, but in life. And who doesn’t want this for their daughter?
Our purpose is for every young woman who attends Waitaki Girls’ to leave as a responsible, respectful and resilient citizen, ready to follow her aspirations, make the most of the opportunities in life and find her place in the world.
Q&A with head girl Sophie McMIllian-Sinclair & Head Boarder Ella Phillips
What makes Waitaki Girls’ so special?
Sophie: The environment is beautiful; it’s a great space to learn in. Everyone is welcoming and it’s easy to be happy here.
Ella: The relationships you build over the years. You feel supported in everything you do.
What do you want to achieve as a leader?
Sophie: I want to shine a greater light on wellbeing and learning how to face life’s challenges in a positive way.
Ella: I want to strengthen the bonds amongst the hostel girls and give back to the place that has been my home for four years.
What is the best thing about boarding at Waitaki House?
Ella: It’s small, so easy to build relationships. We are just a big family! I love our hostel trips and that we are supported to follow our passions.
What will be your lasting memories?
Sophie: House events and trips are highlights. These help build connections which then makes learning in class more enjoyable.
Ella: Definitely the friends I have made and the staff who have guided and supported me to always do my best.
Why would you recommend Waitaki Girls’ to prospective students?
Sophie: The opportunities! WGHS is always providing me with reasons to smile and I wish that for younger girls as they move into high school.
Ella: Everyone here takes pride in themselves, our school and our values. It’s an amazing place to learn and grow.
At a Glance
+ Waitaki Girls’ is a state girls’ school that offers an exceptional quality, free education to both day and boarding students.
+ Our class sizes are small and our courses cater for every individual.
+ Our fine NCEA results are testament to the culture at Waitaki Girls’ where expert teachers support every girl to be the best she can be.
+ As a cell phone free school, girls are actively involved with each other and school life, developing strong interpersonal and communication skills and greater physical and emotional wellbeing.
+ Waitaki Hostel is small with an emphasis on providing a safe, positive and nurturing environment for young women to live and learn in.
+ Entrance scholarships are on offer for new Yr 9 students, covering Academic, Sporting, Cultural, Service and All-round excellence.
Key Dates
Friday 6 May, 2022
Waitaki House Hostel Open Day, 1.30 pm
Tuesday 2 August, 2022
Open Evening, M.K. Dunning Hall, 6.30 pm
Selwyn Hou se School
Julie Calder, Principal
As the new Principal of Selwyn House School, I have enjoyed taking time in this first term of 2022 to observe, listen and learn about what it is that makes Selwyn House special. Having both worked in Christchurch schools for the last 30 years and put my own children through school here in Canterbury, I was already well aware of the excellent reputation Selwyn House School has.
However, my first-hand experience has exceeded expectations.
Selwyn House School is filled with supportive, engaged and passionate staff who turn up to school every day determined to make a difference to all students. I love watching their interactions with the girls, which are genuine, supportive and often inspiring.
The range of specialist teachers on staff at Selwyn House School – from Art, Music, Spanish and Performing Arts, to Science, Mechatronics, Future Problem Solving and Physical Education – means students are receiving a broad and rich education at primary school level, and are able to find and develop their passions and unique talents.
By providing a supportive, non-judgmental learning environment that encourages every student to be themself and be proud of it, Selwyn House School is nurturing the kind of self-confidence and self-awareness that will set students on a path to be the best they can be. We are proud to encourage our students to be risk-takers and problem-solvers, while developing their future leadership skills in many different arenas.
Through the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, the students are learning to be global thinkers. They are developing both the empathy and understanding, as well as the powerful critical and creative thinking skills that will allow them to make a difference.
I am a firm believer that a one-size-fits-all approach to education simply does not cater to the many different learning styles and wonderfully individual brains that we each possess. That is why I am proud to lead a school that so clearly demonstrates an individual learning approach. As a result, we can ensure that each girl who enters Selwyn House School will come out the other end of it as a confident individual who understands how they learn best, appreciates their individual strengths, believes in their unique abilities and is excited about the part they can play in the world.
Girls truly thrive at Selwyn House School!
From the Boarding House
Diane McClure, Boarding House Manager
Selwyn House School is proud to offer a safe, nurturing, family-orientated boarding house that caters for students in Years 4–8 (ages 7–13). Our Boarding House is conveniently located within the school grounds, offering a home away from home for up to 29 girls.
Boarders live on campus in a positive and caring environment, which seamlessly aligns with the values of the International Baccalaureate, Primary Years Programme. Support is provided by a caring and professional team who remain focused on helping each boarder reach their full potential, both socially and academically.
Boarding provides extra opportunities to develop social and life skills. When living with others, many chances arise to practise empathetic understanding, co-operation, patience, respect and responsibility.
The sense of community is strong within the boarding house. Girls from rural Canterbury, wider New Zealand and various international locations share their lives, learning from one another and forging lasting friendships. Each girl’s own special character and the wonderful attributes brought to the boarding community is embraced. The boarding house is honoured to be a second home for our students.
We believe boarding is a unique opportunity for each girl and we pride ourselves on creating a positive environment where the girls are able to develop their academic, social and life skills.
At a Glance
Selwyn House School is an independent girls’ school located in central Christchurch. We specialise in the future-focused education and development of girls in their formative years (Years 1–8). We have a co-ed pre-school, and we offer boarding for out of town girls and international students, as well as casual boarding options.
Our Mission is to inspire our students to learn through continuous inquiry, empowering them with the skills, knowledge, courage and optimism to become caring, active, lifelong learners who enhance the life of others.
Contact us today to arrange a tour and see for yourself what makes a Selwyn House education so special.
Villa Maria College
Deborah Brosnahan, Principal
Villa Maria College has served the Catholic community in Christchurch for over 100 years. The college was established by the Sisters of Mercy as a Catholic school for girls in 1918, and in 1981 Villa Maria became an Integrated School providing education with a Special Character. It is the vision of Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, that is implemented, tested and challenged in all our education at Villa Maria. It is this Mercy character that makes Villa Maria special, and we seek to live the Gospel values and infuse a Catholic culture with our Mercy charism, throughout all aspects of college life.
The staff at Villa Maria are committed to creating life-long learners and nurture each girl and her academic needs. We are extremely proud of our academic success. NZQA data shows that Villa Maria students consistently perform well above the national average for all New Zealand schools. Striving for excellence is part of the college culture, and girls are guided and supported to set goals and achieve their potential. Our smaller class sizes are a significant advantage, and our teachers are
specialists in their field and passionate about educating girls.
In an all girls’ environment, girls are taken seriously. They can work through the challenges of adolescence safely and they thrive and excel with strong female and male role models to inspire them. The family atmosphere at Villa Maria College is no accident. Students are encouraged to look after each other and give back to the life of the college. All students are placed in one of our six Houses, designed to encourage camaraderie and a sense of belonging between students across all year levels. Each House is led by a Head of House who oversees the pastoral care of the students. The entire staff work in a caring fashion to help students through their teenage years. It is this deliberate focus on the whole person that makes Villa Maria a safe and secure place of learning.
We offer a vibrant cultural programme, where girls can seize opportunities to develop their musical interests, or be part of our Kapa Haka or Pasifika Group.
Villa Maria offers more than 30 different sports, so there truly is something for everyone. Students are encouraged to participate in sport, whether they strive to become elite athletes, or just want to have fun. Through sport, girls make new friends, learn new skills, and live a healthy lifestyle. This is central to our inclusive philosophy at Villa Maria College.
With a full and vibrant college experience, balancing academic study and the many co-curricular activities on offer, it is a pleasure to watch our students develop from Villa girls into confident and caring young Mercy women.
Head girl
Niamh Aitken
I am very privileged to have been selected as Head Girl for Villa Maria College for 2022. I started at Villa in Year 7 and I have enjoyed my journey so far. Villa has provided me with so many opportunities ranging from academics to cultural activities and much more. By making the most of these opportunities, I have created special memories and gained friendships that I will treasure for years to come.
While we were hoping that Covid restrictions would be lifted this year, we will continue to adapt and find innovative ways to remain connected. I want to label 2022 as ‘the year of resilience’. My goal is to help each Villa student to stay positive and motivated through these unprecedented times. I also challenge myself to reinvent school activities so that they can go ahead safely under the Covid Protection Framework.
One of my favourite things about Villa is our special character,
and the Mercy charism that is at the heart of our college. Our Catholic faith creates a strong sense of belonging amongst the students, and we actively seek ways to be of service to the community.
I am thankful I have been entrusted with this role and will strive to ensure Villa Maria College remains a positive and happy place to be.
At a Glance
+ Over 100 years of providing Catholic education in Christchurch
+ Beautiful grounds and modern facilities in the heart of Riccarton
+ Celebrating academic success with NCEA results consistently higher than the national average
+ Smaller class sizes are a significant advantage, with specialist teachers who are passionate about educating girls
+ A commitment to removing barriers for students with specific educational needs
+ Identifying and cultivating the gifted and talented students with accelerated learning programmes
+ A broad curriculum base that fosters a community of independent thinkers who explore ideas and enjoy problem solving
+ Renowned for musical and performing arts excellence, girls are given the opportunity to develop and nurture their talents
+ Sport is an important part of the college experience, and girls are supported in their chosen sports, whether they strive to become elite athletes, or just want to have fun.
