Ficino School
Secular
Updated July 2026
Cambridge PrimaryAccreditations
Languages
EnglishFicino School is a private, co-educational school in Mount Eden, Auckland, providing a philosophically-inspired education for students from Preschool through Year 8. It offers a rich, knowledge-based curriculum that balances academic rigour with the development of character and mindfulness.
Term structure
Teaching approach
Ficino School provides a philosophically-inspired education that seeks to nourish the body, mind, and heart. Its motto, 'Rejoice in the Present,' underpins a mindful approach to learning that encourages students to develop the power of attention, academic excellence, and strength of character. The school values respect, truthfulness, courage, obedience, and responsibility, aiming to help students realize their potential in the service of humanity.
Programmes
The school’s curriculum incorporates the Cambridge Primary Programme (Years 1–6) and the Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme (Years 7–9), alongside elements of the New Zealand National Curriculum. The academic programme is multi-faceted, covering core subjects like English, Mathematics, and Science, as well as specialist subjects including Philosophy, History, Myth and Culture, Sanskrit, Music, Drama, and Physical Education. Teaching is increasingly delivered by subject specialists in the Intermediate years (Years 7–8) to prepare students for secondary education.
Outcomes
Ficino students participate annually in national Progressive Achievement Tests (PATs) in Mathematics, Comprehension, and Vocabulary, with most students scoring well above the national average. Graduates are reported to be well-received and valued by leading independent and state secondary schools. The school aims to develop confident, caring, and productive citizens who possess strength of character and a commitment to service.
Student support
Learning support
The school employs a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and provides specialist intervention and English as a Second Language (ESL) support. Teachers work to adapt the curriculum to meet the individual learning levels and needs of students, fostering an environment where children can develop self-discipline and focus.
Frequently asked questions(7)
- What curriculum does Ficino School offer?
- Ficino School offers Cambridge Primary and Cambridge Lower Secondary.
- How much is tuition at Ficino School?
- Annual tuition at Ficino School is NZ$22.5K–NZ$25K. Fees vary by year group — confirm the current schedule with the school.
- What ages does Ficino School teach?
- Ficino School enrolls students aged 3 to 13.
- Is Ficino School a day or boarding school?
- Ficino School is a day school.
- What accreditations does Ficino School hold?
- Ficino School holds accreditations including Cambridge International.
- Is Ficino School co-educational?
- Ficino School is a co-ed school.
- Where is Ficino School located?
- Ficino School is an international school in Auckland, New Zealand.
Tuition & fees
Annual tuition by grade
2026| Grade | Ages | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Year 0 - 3 | 5–8 | NZ$22.5K |
| Year 4 - 6 | 8–11 | NZ$23.9K |
| Year 7 - 8 | 11–13 | NZ$25K |
Source:PDF2026-School-Fees-13-October-2025.pdfPDFComplaints-Policy-and-Procedure.pdf
Other fees(7)
| Application fee· Application Fee with completed application form (Non-refundable) | NZ$200 |
|---|---|
| Enrolment fee· Acceptance Fee due on acceptance of place (Non-refundable) | NZ$1.2K |
| Deposit· Refundable Bond due with the School Fees two weeks before your child starts school | NZ$1K |
| Mealsterm· Fresh healthy lunches and morning tea provided for all pupils | NZ$515 |
| Registration fee· Capital Levy: Funding capital projects to improve school facilities (Non-refundable) | NZ$700 |
| Materials· Basic stationery items included in fees | NZ$0 |
| Uniform· For uniform details and cost please refer to the NZ Uniforms online store | — |
Discounts
- Sibling discount: 10% - 50%
- Full-payment discount: 3%
Admissions
Ficino School accepts applications for students from Preschool through Year 8. Prospective families are required to book a private tour via the school website, as ad hoc visits cannot be accommodated. The school maintains a formal application procedure and provides information on fees, which can be paid annually, termly, or in ten monthly instalments.
Calendar
The school operates on a term-based system. Specific term dates and the detailed school calendar are available to the school community via a password-protected portal.
Facilities
About the campus
The campus is situated in the Mount Eden area of Auckland, with its central hub located in a stately villa dating back to the early 1900s. The school grounds include a student library and facilities to support its diverse academic and arts programmes. Access to the campus is provided via a personnel gate on Esplanade Road.
Co-curriculars
Students participate in a variety of extra-curricular activities designed to foster leadership and personal growth. Offerings include sports teams, drama productions, and music tuition. Senior students in Year 8 are selected for formal leadership roles, such as Head Students, House Leaders, Sports Captains, and various monitors for science, drama, and the library.
Peter CromptonPrincipalPeter has over 20 years of teaching experience at primary, secondary, and university levels. He holds a Master of Science from Oxford University and believes the purpose of education is to bring out the best in people by presenting them with the finest material.
Lorna SpicerDeputy PrincipalLorna was a teacher at the sister school, St. James, London, before joining Ficino in 2007. She project-managed the creation of the Preschool and returned as Deputy Principal in 2021, championing holistic pedagogy and high academic standards.
Ashley GeddisAssistant Principal, SENCOAshley has experience in both the New Zealand public school system and the Canadian independent school system. Her professional interests include Philosophy for Children (P4C) and Brain-Based learning, and she previously served as a Divisional Curriculum Coordinator at Havergal College.
Carolyn FarrellyJunior Syndicate LeaderCarolyn began her teaching career at Ficino School during its foundation years (1996–2000) and returned in 2011. She believes in learning through song and play, helping children discover their potential through inquiry and self-discipline.
Rachel SettersHead of PERachel has been teaching at Ficino for over 11 years and served as Assistant Principal for 5 years. She is passionate about sport, having represented the North Island in athletics and played premier grade netball, and coordinates school trips and events.
Sanaya DoctorSubject Specialist – Music & DramaSanaya began as a classroom teacher at Ficino in 2013 before working in schools in the UK. She is passionate about the Arts and now teaches Music and Drama, aiming to help students become well-rounded individuals.
Emilie PrestonSubject Specialist – SanskritEmilie has a background in educating children with special needs and spent ten years as a teacher aide before training as a teacher. She focuses on teaching children to be self-learners and developing their tools for problem-solving.
Dawn RoscoeSubject Specialist – Science, Geography, PhilosophyDawn gave up a career in law to retrain as a teacher, starting in 2007. She is an enthusiastic and creative teacher who emphasizes academic application and the importance of disciplined work.
Hamish HudsonClass Teacher, Subject Specialist – History, Myth & Culture, EnglishHamish has been teaching since 1998 and has worked in educational theatre in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. He believes in delivering the finest materials to students to inspire them to inquire and imitate.
Karen CromptonSpecialist Intervention and ESL Support TeacherKaren spent 20 years in the UK, including five years teaching at the sister school, St James. She is experienced in teaching a wide range of subjects and has a love for children's literature.
Gray GillespieClass Teacher, Subject Specialist – Information TechnologyGray lived in Japan for 9 years working in corporate and government settings before returning to New Zealand to become a primary school teacher. He believes in arming children with a positive attitude and passion for learning.
Julia HongClass TeacherJulia enjoys teaching her Reception class and appreciates the holistic approach at Ficino School. She particularly enjoys teaching Nature Study and incorporates hands-on activities to keep students engaged.