Queen Margaret College

53 Hobson Street, Thorndon, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Preschool to Year 13

Independent Presbyterian day school for girls

Representing over 40 nationalities

Learning Enrichment and support coordinated by Learning Enrichment Coordinator

New Zealand

Presbyterian

Junior School day 8:30am–3:00pm; Senior School day 8:30am–3:30pm

QMC private bus for Wellington's Western Suburbs; Western Coach Service available with morning drop-offs and afternoon pickups; contact reception for details

Queen Margaret College is an International Baccalaureate World School. Years 1–6 follow the Primary Years Programme (IB). Years 7–10 follow the Middle Years Programme (IB). In Year 11, students undertake New Zealand's National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 1 and may continue with NCEA Levels 2 and 3 or pursue the two-year International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB DP) in Years 12–13. The school emphasizes dual senior pathways to suit individual strengths and learning styles.

IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) Results 2025: 98% pass rate; average score 34; 9 students (20%) scored 40+; 3 bilingual diplomas; IB Dux Madeleine Wilson achieved a perfect 45. National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Results 2025: Level 1 pass rate 96%; Level 2 pass rate 98%; Level 3 pass rate 98%; endorsements include 81% Merit or Excellence at Level 1, 88% at Level 2, and 68% at Level 3. University Entrance (UE) 2025 pass rate: 98%.

Pathways after school include opportunities to go to University, a Polytechnic or begin an Apprenticeship; the college presents these options clearly to students in Year 11–13 as part of its Careers and future pathways.

Learning Enrichment lessons and Extension programs provide challenge for high-ability students, with extension activities such as debating, public speaking, essay and creative writing competitions, Ethics Olympiad and Scholarship examinations. New Zealand Scholarships are available for high achievers (IB and NCEA eligible). LEAP and the ELEVATE Year 11 Programme offer accelerated and enriched learning options. Three students earned bilingual IB diplomas in 2025. The school also highlights international-level success of gifted students, such as a World Scholar's Cup team reaching Yale finals in 2024 with multiple medals.

QMC implements a Proactive Wellbeing Strategy to support social and emotional learning, with THRIVE as a wellbeing programme designed for Year 7–13 that builds on six pillars of wellbeing. The school emphasises purpose, accomplishment, engagement, emotional strength, positive relationships and wellness, and provides parent talks through a Parent Speaker Series to help families discuss difficult topics. School wellbeing resources include access to SchoolTV for families.

International students and other students needing English language support receive inclusive English language tuition as part of tuition; additional ESOL tuition is available at extra cost, with regular testing and progress updates, specialist Speech and Drama lessons to boost fluency and confidence, and small classes to cater to individual needs.

Mental wellbeing is supported by on-site school nurses available daily, on-site school psychologists, a school chaplain, and a Kaiārahi who supports Māori and Pasifika students. Restorative conversations guide student behavior, and SchoolTV provides wellbeing resources for families.

Safeguarding is embedded in wellbeing and pastoral care, with a Deputy Principal of Wellbeing and year Deans supporting students; on-site nurses, the Reverend as chaplain, and a Kaiārahi providing pastoral and cultural support. The school uses restorative conversations, Cyber Safety resources, and a Family Harm Awareness alert system developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and NZ Police to support students after incidents.

Domestic Enrolments: Read the Terms and Conditions before starting the online application. Complete and submit the online application with a non-refundable application fee of $180. Following a review of the application, the applicant's daughter will be invited to an interview with the Principal. Following the interview, an Offer of Place may be issued. The applicant should return the confirmation and the non-refundable acceptance fee of $460 within 14 working days. Once the acceptance is received, confirmation of place is sent. International Enrolments: Read the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement before starting the application. Complete and submit the application with a non-refundable application fee of $250. If enrolling more than one child, use a separate form for each. Following a review of your application, we will advise you if your daughter has been selected for an interview with the Director of International Students. A translator will be provided if necessary. English testing if required. Following the selection process, you may receive an Offer of Place along with a form to confirm acceptance. Once acceptance is received, confirmation of your place at QMC will be sent.

The QMC Scholarship Programme is available to Years 7 through 13 for domestic students. It recognizes the College values of generosity, resilience, respect, integrity and courage, and rewards achievement in academics, sport, the arts, cultural pursuits, service or across multiple disciplines. Scholarships are effective through to Year 13 if the scholarship expectations are met; scholarship types may vary by year level and enrolment availability. The application process has no fee and a maximum of two scholarships may be applied for. Required documentation includes evidence of age, identity and New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency; a CV; a character reference; copies of two most recent school reports; copies of PAT/e-asTTle or NZQA records; evidence of participation in cocurricular activities, service or leadership, sporting excellence or cultural pursuits; a simple passport-style headshot; attendance at the scholarship examination if applicable; and if shortlisted an interview with the Principal. Scholarships open for 2027: Year 7 to 10 open 25 March - 24 April; Year 11 to 13 open 1 April - 1 May. Not currently offering Other Scholarships & Bursaries. For more information, contact enrolments.

Waitlisting at QMC describes a waitlist as a queue-based system. Applicants are eligible for entry but a place is not immediately available. The waitlists are managed chronologically by the date an application is received and do not rank applicants on the waitlist. Factors considered include date of application, family connections to QMC (daughters of Old Girls, siblings, extended family connections, e.g. grandparent who is an alumna), children of current staff, and, in some cases, boarders, international students or diplomats. Scholarships may affect waitlist considerations. Waitlisted families are kept updated, and waitlist movement depends on space availability.