St Margaret's College

The school is dedicated to empowering girls to 'learn, live and lead' by fostering a culture of excellence, encouragement, and resilience. It upholds traditional values—integrity, excellence, equality, and dedication to higher purpose—while preparing students to be flexible, open-minded thinkers in a modern world. The educational approach emphasizes the development of graduate attributes that enable students to embrace challenges and contribute to their communities.

The school provides a comprehensive academic programme across Preschool, Junior, Middle, and Senior Schools. It offers a dual-pathway curriculum featuring the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. The curriculum is enriched by subjects such as Te Reo Māori, French, Spanish, Mandarin, and a strong focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) through the Centre for Innovation.

Students consistently achieve high academic results, with a dual-pathway programme offering both NCEA and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. In 2025, the school reported a 99% achievement rate at NCEA Level 2 and 100% at Level 3, while IB students achieved an average score of 33. Graduates pursue diverse post-school destinations, including top universities in New Zealand and overseas, in fields ranging from health sciences and commerce to law and engineering.

The Leck Centre for Learning Enhancement provides dedicated support to students, working alongside qualified librarians and teaching staff to foster research, critical thinking, and academic growth. The school offers individualised career counselling and access to tertiary study information to help students navigate their future pathways. Additionally, the school maintains a focus on student wellbeing and pastoral care to ensure all students are supported in their personal and academic development.

The school invites applications for domestic and international students, encouraging early enrolment for 2027 and beyond. The process includes an online application with a non-refundable fee, followed by an interview with the Executive Principal or Head of School. Upon receiving an offer of place, families must pay a non-refundable acceptance fee to secure their daughter's enrolment.

The campus in Merivale, Christchurch, features modern, world-class facilities, with 80 percent of the buildings rebuilt following the Canterbury earthquakes. Key amenities include the Centre for Innovation for STEAM subjects, a library and study centre, and two performance spaces: the Charles Luney Auditorium and the Ngaio Marsh Theatre. Sports facilities comprise a multi-functional gymnasium, fitness centres, a half-size hockey turf, tennis courts, a cricket oval, and a heated swimming pool.

St Margaret’s College offers a dynamic co-curricular programme featuring over 80 activities across arts, culture, service, sport, and technology. Students participate in diverse pursuits such as dance, music, drama, and competitive sports including netball, hockey, rowing, and tennis. Leadership development is integrated through various committees, councils, and peer support programmes, including the Middle School Aspirational Leadership Programme and the Year 11 Foundation Diploma.