Co-Education

The introduction of co-education has been incredibly positive. A co-educational environment benefits boys and girls in an environment where students:

• Are provided with a quality education in a diverse and inclusive environment.
• Grow to become confident collaborating and expressing their views in the presence of members of the opposite sex.
• Learn from one another intellectually and socially.
• Are better prepared for their futures, building the foundations for realistic and meaningful adult relationships.
• Are equipped to take their place in a co-educational world.

Implementation

Years 1-6

Students in Years 1-6 learn together in a co-educational setting for all subjects. Providing a co-educational environment for these early years of education is part of providing students with an inclusive and diverse classroom. It encourages students’ self-esteem, social skills, and better prepares them for their next steps in education and the world outside the school gates.

The Junior School vision is “to develop students who take ownership of their own learning, while developing the values and personal standards to successfully navigate the next stage of their education and beyond with distinction.” 

Enrolments in the Junior School are carefully managed and we encourage families to begin the enrolment process as early as possible to ensure a place for their child.

Years 7-10

Middle School students in Years 7-10 learn and collaborate in a co-educational setting for all subjects. The early teenage years are critical in the development of "All-Round Character," and the co-educational environment provides students with opportunities to genuinely work alongside each other, building individuality, open-mindedness, and inclusivity through a holistic IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) education framework. Students thrive through the personal growth across the areas of academics, arts, sport, and "special character" in a supportive and diverse setting. The Middle School mantra is “work hard and be kind.” This mindset is fundamental in all we do to ensure each student contributes and is recognised in a positive learning environment. Students are encouraged to step up, take responsible risks, and serve others. 

Years 11-13

In the Senior School, we focus the final three years of education on setting our students up for opportunities beyond school. This means developing a targeted and meaningful three year learning pathway that allows opportunities for further study within New Zealand or abroad, or direct access into careers of their choice.

There is no more realistic and meaningful environment to achieve this than in a co-educational learning environment where students can share ideas and perspectives, develop socially, and grow in confidence. In doing so, students are better preparing themselves for a future in a diverse and modern society.

Class Sizes

In addition to the decision to move to co-education, the Board resolved to set preferred class sizes in the Junior and Middle School. For each class, these are set at:

• Year 1 – 15 students
• Year 2 – 18 students
• Years 3-6 – 22 students
• Years 7-8 – 24 students
• Years 9-10 – 25 students

While we aim to limit classes to these sizes, from time to time the numbers may vary slightly from these due to a range of factors. Once a class size limit is reached, a waitlist is developed.

Accessibility & Affordability

A growing roll allows for further investment in the curriculum and those delivering it. Together, we strengthen the educational experience for all students, current and future, with the opportunity to develop staff numbers, support programmes, facilities, and course options in all three schools.

Another advantage of a growing roll is that it assists us in remaining as affordable and accessible to as many young men and women as possible, and the possibility for a family to have all children attend one school. This has seen our community continue to grow locally, nationally, and internationally. To further support this, the Board introduced a sibling discount of 10% for the second child and each child thereafter. Sibling discounts cannot be used in conjunction with a scholarship.