St Cuthbert's College
STCCUpdated July 2026
IB Diploma
St Cuthbert’s College is an independent all-girls school in Auckland, New Zealand, serving students from Year 0 to Year 13. It combines academic rigor with a focus on character development, leadership, and outdoor education to prepare young women for future success.
Curriculum
Term structure
Teaching approach
The school’s educational philosophy focuses on developing confident communicators, fostering connection and belonging, and embracing failure as a necessary part of growth. It emphasizes critical thinking, resilience, and adaptability to prepare students for a rapidly changing world. The school values an all-girls environment, which it believes allows students the freedom to be themselves and pursue any interest without constraint.
Programmes
The curriculum spans Years 0–13, balancing foundational subjects with innovative approaches in sciences, humanities, languages, mathematics, technology, and the arts. Junior School (Years 0–6) emphasizes structured literacy and numeracy, while the Senior School (Years 7–13) offers a progression through core subjects, the Year 10 Kahunui outdoor experience, and qualification pathways including the Year 11 Diploma, NCEA, and the International Baccalaureate.
Outcomes
St Cuthbert’s students consistently achieve high academic results, with 99% of students receiving University Entrance in 2025. The 2025 cohort achieved a 100% pass rate in NCEA Level 3 and a 100% pass rate in the International Baccalaureate, with 36% of IB students scoring 40 or more points. Students are also frequently awarded numerous NZQA Scholarships.
Student support
Learning support
The school provides academic support and extension for diverse learners, including individualized learning plans and specialized teaching approaches. High achievers have access to acceleration in mathematics, enrichment opportunities, NZQA Scholarship programmes, and mentoring. Additionally, the school employs a High-Performance Learning framework and student coaching programmes.
Frequently asked questions(7)
- What curriculum does St Cuthbert's College offer?
- St Cuthbert's College offers IB Diploma.
- How much is tuition at St Cuthbert's College?
- Annual tuition at St Cuthbert's College is NZ$3.5K–NZ$63.1K. Fees vary by year group — confirm the current schedule with the school.
- What ages does St Cuthbert's College teach?
- St Cuthbert's College enrolls students aged 5 to 18.
- Is St Cuthbert's College a day or boarding school?
- St Cuthbert's College is a day and boarding school.
- What accreditations does St Cuthbert's College hold?
- St Cuthbert's College holds accreditations including IB.
- Is St Cuthbert's College co-educational?
- St Cuthbert's College is a girls school.
- Where is St Cuthbert's College located?
- St Cuthbert's College is an international school in Auckland, New Zealand.
Tuition & fees
Annual tuition by grade
2026| Grade | Ages | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Years 0–6 (New Zealand Residents) | 5–11 | NZ$27.5K |
| Years 7–13 (New Zealand Residents) | 11–18 | NZ$31.5K |
| Kahunui (Year 10) (New Zealand Residents) | 14–15 | NZ$3.5K |
| Years 0–6 (International Students) | 5–11 | NZ$55K |
| Years 7–13 (International Students) | 11–18 | NZ$63.1K |
| Kahunui (Year 10) (International Students) | 14–15 | NZ$3.5K |
Other fees(3)
| Application fee· Waived if the applicant’s mother is an Old Girl. | NZ$320 |
|---|---|
| Enrolment fee· Payable upon acceptance of an offer of a place. Includes a lifetime membership to the Old Girls’ Association and a membership to the Parents and Friends’ Association. | NZ$2.5K |
| Boarding· Quarterly: $5,402. Same for both New Zealand Residents and International Students. | NZ$21.6K |
Discounts
- Sibling discount: 30%
Admissions
St Cuthbert’s College welcomes applications for all year levels, with key entry points at Year 0/1, Year 7, and Year 9. The admissions team provides guidance throughout the application process, and the school offers boarding for students from Year 9 to Year 13. International students from Year 1 to Year 13 are also welcomed into the school community.
Calendar
The school operates on a four-term academic year. In 2026, Term 1 begins on 29 January and Term 4 concludes on 4 December. Daily school hours are 8:30am to 3:00pm for the Junior School, while Senior School students (Years 7–13) attend from 8:30am to 3:25pm, with an earlier finish of 3:15pm on Wednesdays.
Facilities
About the campus
The school operates two campuses: an urban Epsom campus and the Kahunui outdoor education campus in the Bay of Plenty. The Epsom campus features the Robertson Building, the Centennial Centre for Wellbeing (including a 25-metre lap pool and gymnasium), the Joan Holland Auditorium, science and technology labs, libraries, and various sports courts and fields. The Kahunui campus, recently enhanced with a new learning hub, provides flexible learning spaces and communal facilities to foster independence and resilience.
Co-curriculars
The school offers a wide range of co-curricular activities, including sports such as swimming, water polo, hockey, and kayaking, supported by the Athlete Pathway Programme. Performing arts opportunities include music, dance, and drama, with students participating in events like Showquest and musical productions. Additionally, the school hosts various cultural groups, clubs, and a swim school.
- Charlotte AveryPrincipal
Charlotte joined St Cuthbert’s in August 2024, bringing over two decades of experience in girls’ education, including 17 years as Headmistress of St Mary’s School in Cambridge, England. She holds a Master’s Degree in English from Oxford University and a Master’s Degree in Education Management from King’s College London. She is a former president of the UK’s Girls’ Schools Association and serves on the board of the international Coalition of Girls’ Schools.
- John PayneDeputy Principal and Head of Senior School
John is the Year 0-13 Deputy Principal and Head of the Senior School. He holds a BSc in Mathematics and Physics and a Diploma in Teaching from the University of Auckland, and has extensive experience in independent schools, including 14 years at King’s College.
- Felecia TomichHead of Junior School
Felecia holds a Bachelor of Education and a Masters in Special Education from The University of Auckland, as well as a Post Graduate Certificate in Educational Psychology. Prior to her current role, she taught at St Cuthbert’s for several years and worked across multiple year levels in London, Kings Prep, and Kohia Terrace School.
- Tom CurtisDeputy Head of Senior School, Operations & Co-Curricular
Tom holds a Masters of Marine Biology from Victoria and Melbourne Universities and has extensive experience in independent schools, including Methodist Ladies’ College in Melbourne.
- Amber LloydDeputy Head of Senior School, Pedagogy
Amber has taught at St Cuthbert’s College for over 25 years and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Auckland.
- Nikki BentleyDeputy Head of Senior School, Academia
Nikki joined in Term 4, 2025, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Humanities) from the University of Auckland, Waikato University, and Massey University. She was formerly the Head of English at King’s College for six years.
- Julie HoggDeputy Head of Senior School, Pastoral
Julie has 17 years of experience at St Cuthbert’s College in various roles, including boarding and careers. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, Diploma in Education, and Graduate Certificate in Career Development from the University of Auckland, Massey University, and AUT.
- Nikki BoyensDeputy Head of Junior School
Nicola has over 30 years of experience in the education sector, with particular expertise in early years education and supporting children’s transition to formal schooling. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Teaching and a Diploma in TESOL from the University of Auckland and leads the school's High Performance Learning and Student Coaching programmes.