Dilworth School
Christian
Updated July 2026
Cognia
Dilworth is a unique, scholarship-funded school in New Zealand that provides a private education for young men with exceptional attitudes to life and study. It combines high-quality teaching, small class sizes, and a comprehensive pastoral care system to help students reach their full potential.
Curriculum
Term structure
Teaching approach
Dilworth is a Christian-based school that aims to develop the whole student, focusing on character, emotional resilience, and personal excellence. It maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward abuse and prioritizes student safeguarding, having achieved accreditation through the Australian Childhood Foundation's Safeguarding Children Programme. The school's mission is to provide a private education for young men whose family circumstances might otherwise prevent them from fulfilling their potential.
Programmes
The curriculum consists of three strands: an academic curriculum, the 'Ako Puāwaitanga' wellbeing programme, and 'Learning in the Outdoors' (LITO). The school offers NCEA at Years 12 and 13 and the bespoke Dilworth Diploma at Year 11. All students participate in Christian Education lessons, and the curriculum includes core subjects such as literacy, numeracy, sciences, performing arts, and technology, with all students from Year 7 to 10 learning a musical instrument.
Student support
Learning support
The school employs specialist subject teachers and dedicated learning support staff to assist students. It provides extension and enrichment activities for gifted and talented students, including acceleration and extracurricular opportunities in arts and music. Significant support is also available for students who may be struggling in any area.
Frequently asked questions(5)
- What ages does Dilworth School teach?
- Dilworth School enrolls students aged 11 to 18.
- Is Dilworth School a day or boarding school?
- Dilworth School is a day and boarding school.
- What accreditations does Dilworth School hold?
- Dilworth School holds accreditations including Cognia.
- Is Dilworth School co-educational?
- Dilworth School is a boys school.
- Where is Dilworth School located?
- Dilworth School is an international school in Auckland, New Zealand.
Tuition & fees
No published fee schedule was found for this school.
Admissions
Dilworth offers fully funded scholarships worth over $60,000 per year, covering tuition, books, uniforms, sports fees, music lessons, school trips, camps, outdoor education, and boarding or day school. The school provides a day school option at the Junior Campus for Years 7 and 8, with limited day places available at Year 9. Prospective families can apply online, and the school provides a dedicated admissions team to assist with the enrolment process.
Calendar
The school operates on a four-term academic year. For 2026, Term 1 runs from 28 January to 2 April, Term 2 from 20 April to 26 June, Term 3 from 20 July to 25 September, and Term 4 from 12 October to 7 December.
Facilities
About the campus
Dilworth operates across three campuses in Auckland: the Junior Campus in Remuera (Years 7–8), the Senior Campus in Epsom (Years 9–13), and the Mangatāwhiri Campus, which is dedicated to the Learning in the Outdoors programme. The Senior Campus features a new chapel, and the school provides students with laptops, including Chromebooks for Years 7–10 and MacBooks for Years 11–13. The school also provides seven meals a day for its students.
Dan ReddiexHeadmasterDan Reddiex is an education expert and reformer who has led Dilworth School since 2019. He has overseen a transformational programme of change to rebuild the school's culture, reputation, and safety systems, previously serving as Headmaster of Kings High School in Dunedin.
- Asha Tupou VeaChief Strategy Officer
Asha Tupou Vea is the Chief Strategy Officer, with a core focus on Project Reset, a fundamental redesign of the school following historical abuse. She brings extensive experience in strategic and curriculum design and a deep commitment to student learning and welfare.
- Justine ScottHead of Junior Campus
Justine Scott joined Dilworth as Head of Junior Campus at the start of 2024, having previously served as the principal of Sunnyhills School for eight years. She is focused on fostering a warm, accessible culture for parents and whānau and supporting the school's transformational goals.
- Tom MurdochHead of Senior Campus
Tom Murdoch is the Head of Senior Campus and has been part of the school's critical change process since 2022. His background includes roles as an English teacher at Auckland Grammar, House Leader at Macleans College, and Deputy Principal at Mount Albert Grammar.
- Madeline ThompsonDirector of Curriculum
Madeline Thompson is the Director of Curriculum and has overseen the development of the school's comprehensive, integrated curriculum from Year 7 to 13. She focuses on ensuring a clear educational pathway and high-quality instruction across both junior and senior campuses.
- Tonia CalverleyDirector of Teaching and Learning
Tonia Calverley is the Director of Teaching and Learning, focusing on employing high-quality staff and implementing evidence-based learning strategies. She oversees the 'Learning to Learn' specialist programme designed to instill habits for student success.
- Gareth HoreDirector of Boarding
Gareth Hore is the Director of Boarding, tasked with transforming the boarding experience into a place of safety, security, and belonging. He manages various boarding options to meet the needs of students and their families.
- Jamie PennellHead of Mangatāwhiri Outdoors Campus
Jamie Pennell is the Head of Mangatāwhiri Outdoors Campus and leads the Learning in the Outdoors (LITO) programme. A former Captain in the NZSAS and recipient of the New Zealand Gallantry Star, he focuses on developing student confidence, leadership, and emotional resilience.
- Stephen RalphDirector of Health and Safety
Stephen Ralph, also known as “Safety Steve,” is the Director of Health and Safety. Appointed in 2023, he works across all three campuses to provide advice and guidance to senior leadership and staff regarding student welfare and safety.
- Mattie NaseriSafeguarding Officer
Mattie Naseri is the Safeguarding Officer, responsible for leading the school's systems, processes, and culture of student safety. She played a key role in the school achieving Child Wise accreditation in 2022.
- Andrea LeleniHead of Admissions
Andrea Leleni is the Head of Admissions, working within the Admissions Centre to manage student enrolment and scholarship processes.
- Angela KaoSenior Application & Records Manager
Angela Kao is the Senior Application & Records Manager, working in the Admissions Centre to support the enrolment and application process.