St Margaret's College

12 Winchester Street, Merivale, Christchurch 8014, New Zealand. Postal address: PO Box 25094, Christchurch 8140.

Junior School; Middle School; Senior School.

All-girls day and boarding school.

Leck Centre for Learning Enhancement provides support for Year 1-13 students identified as learning differently. It offers small-group tuition in literacy and numeracy, study skills and research-based programmes, in-class support, and English language learner support. It also runs a Gifted and Talented programme.

New Zealand

Anglican

St Margaret's College offers a dual academic pathway of NCEA or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Year 11 follows the bespoke Foundation Diploma to prepare for NCEA Level 2-3 and the IBDP, with three compulsory courses (English, maths and at least one science) plus three additional specialist subjects, and a focus on holistic growth supported by the House tutor system. The school is an IB World School and delivers the Diploma Programme core—Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity and Service—alongside subject groups that cover language, individuals and societies, mathematics, arts and sciences. NCEA Levels 2 and 3 are offered in Year 12-13, with six subjects in Year 12 and five in Year 13; NZQA Scholarships are available and NCEA is underpinned by the NZ Curriculum and Key Competencies. Gifted and talented education and learning support are provided through the Leck Centre for Learning Enhancement, with tailored programs continuing from Junior and Middle School.

National Certificate of Educational Achievement results for 2025 show Level 2 overall achievement at 99% and Level 3 at 100%, reflecting the dual pathway of NCEA and IB. In IB, the 2025 average score was 33, 14% above the international average of 29, and two students achieved NZ IB Scholar status. The Class of 2025 destinations include universities in New Zealand and overseas, with notable shares to University of Otago (32%), University of Canterbury (23%), Lincoln University (8%), Victoria University of Wellington (8%), University of Auckland (7%), and overseas universities (13%), plus other pathways such as Otago Polytechnic and gap year. Fields of study include Sciences (Health and other), Commerce, Law, Engineering, Arts, Education and related disciplines.

Graduates pursue higher education at New Zealand universities and overseas. Common destinations include University of Otago, University of Canterbury, Lincoln University, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Auckland, and overseas universities. Fields of study span sciences, commerce, law, engineering, arts, education, nursing and related disciplines.

Gifted and talented education and learning support is provided through the Leck Centre for Learning Enhancement, offering tailored learning programs continuing from Junior and Middle School.

The school centers holistic education on spiritual and emotional wellbeing with positive relationships at the heart of the learning community. A house tutor system provides the main contact for wellbeing and academic progress, with about 16 students per tutor group in the Middle and Senior Schools. Buddies support new students, and the boarding community mirrors this approach with year-based buddy arrangements. A team of counsellors and health professionals located in the on-site Health Centre, supported by a Chaplain who attends to spiritual and emotional needs, provides professional support to students and families. The wellbeing framework includes the five pillars of wellbeing—connecting, taking notice, being active, continued learning, and giving—and the Hauora model (taha tinana, taha hinengaro, taha whanau, taha wairua) guiding our approach. The Health Centre offers on-site health care with a School Nurse and two counsellors, and a physiotherapist is available for students and staff.

Leck Centre for Learning Enhancement provides support for students identified as learning differently, including gifted and talented, English language learners, and those with dyslexia or other learning differences. On entry, students are assessed to identify strengths and challenges, and may be referred to Leck staff with individual support actions developed in consultation with families. The Leck team delivers small-group tuition focused on literacy and numeracy, study skills, and research-based programmes, with in-class support across Junior, Middle and Senior Schools. Students who are English language learners are offered extra support in English language acquisition through small-group and individual programmes.

English language learners at St Margaret's College receive extra support in English language acquisition through small group and individual programmes. Leck Centre provides Year 1-13 learning support, including English language learning as part of its inclusive approach.

Wellbeing is woven into all aspects of the curriculum, focusing on physical, mental, emotional, and social health. The five pillars of wellbeing—connecting, taking notice, being active, continued learning, and giving—support mental health and a growth mindset. A Chaplain and pastoral care team provide additional spiritual and emotional guidance. The Health Centre is on campus with a School Nurse and two full-time counsellors, and a physiotherapist is available for students and staff; boarders can access a GP through St Albans Medical Center if needed.

St Margaret's College has a Child Protection Policy committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and to the prevention of child abuse. The policy designates a Designated Person for Child Protection (Executive Principal) and a Designated Leadership Team to oversee safeguarding. Staff are responsible for reporting concerns to Oranga Tamariki or the NZ Police, recording concerns accurately, and maintaining confidentiality. The policy requires staff to follow professional standards of behaviour and to work with external agencies as appropriate, with guidelines for safe working practices and supervision of volunteers. The policy also references The Vulnerable Children's Hub and related contact points for safeguarding concerns.

1. Apply online. Complete the online enrolment form and pay a non-refundable NZ$200 enrolment fee to apply for a place at St Margaret's College. You will need your daughter's New Zealand birth certificate, current passport, proof of residency or citizenship certificate, and a recent photo; depending on how far in advance you are applying, you may also require your daughter's end-of-year school report and any educational assessments. If you are not a New Zealand citizen or resident, visit the International Enrolments section for guidance. Enrolment is not a guarantee of a place. 2. Principal interview. Following receipt of your application and supporting documentation, your daughter will be invited to meet with the Executive Principal or Head of School. Interviews will be scheduled based on priorities set by the Trust Board. 3. Offer of place. Following the interview, the Executive Principal will inform families of an offer of place or a place on the waitlist. If a place is accepted, a non-refundable NZ$2,000 acceptance fee is payable to confirm the commitment to the offered place.

St Margaret's College offers a range of scholarships for Middle School, Year 9, Senior School, and Boarding. Middle School scholarships are available to new students entering Years 7 and 9 in 2027 and current students, and provide up to a 50% remission of tuition for four years (Years 7–10), with an additional Middle School Boarding Scholarship providing up to 50% remission of boarding fees for four years. Year 9 scholarships are limited in number and provide up to a 50% remission of tuition for five years from Year 9, with categories including Academic, Sports, Performing Arts, and General Excellence. The Old Girls' Association Scholarship offers up to 25% remission of tuition for five years from Year 9 and is available to direct descendants of St Margaret's Old Girls. A Boarding scholarship provides up to 50% remission of boarding fees for five years from Year 9. An International Scholarship is available to international students; applicants must complete an enrolment application, and the International Student Manager can be contacted to register interest. Senior School scholarships for 2027 will open in July 2026. To apply for any scholarship, applicants must first complete an enrolment application. There are additional details on eligibility and application timing within the Scholarships section.

An offer of place may be issued, or a place on the waitlist may be assigned.