Study Services

School Overview

Samuel Marsden Collegiate School, founded in 1878, is New Zealand’s oldest private girls’ school, with over 140 years of educational heritage. As a single-sex girls’ school, it offers a full educational pathway from primary through to senior secondary. The school maintains deliberately small class sizes for elite-level teaching, with a current enrolment of approximately 400 students. Located in Wellington, the school has been the preferred choice for many families across generations.

Samuel Marsden has always been dedicated to providing girls with the highest quality education, and its students consistently rank among the top academic performers across all schools in the Wellington region. Reports from the New Zealand Education Review Office have consistently praised the school’s teaching quality. The school is committed to the dual goals of character development and intellectual growth, equipping students with essential academic, social, and emotional skills.

The school cares deeply about every girl’s learning and wellbeing, fostering a safe, welcoming campus atmosphere where students grow in confidence within a nurturing and encouraging environment. Future-focused programmes prepare students thoroughly for their careers ahead.

Curriculum

Samuel Marsden offers multiple academic pathways including the NCEA (New Zealand national curriculum) and the IB Diploma Programme, with a curriculum designed for both academic rigour and personalised development. The school’s teaching philosophy centres on encouraging, nurturing, and educating girls to become capable and confident young women.

The curriculum encompasses English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, the Arts, Music, Technology, and Physical Education. Small class sizes are a hallmark of the school, enabling teachers to give each student ample attention and individualised guidance. A rich programme of extracurricular activities is also offered, including a variety of sports, visual arts, music performance, and outdoor exploration.

The school is committed to developing independent thinking, creativity, and leadership skills, supporting students’ holistic growth through diverse learning experiences.

International Students

Samuel Marsden welcomes international students, providing attentive enrolment support and ongoing pastoral care for girls from overseas. The school offers ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses to help students whose first language is not English improve their language proficiency and integrate smoothly into school life.

The school’s pastoral care system is well-established, with dedicated staff closely monitoring every international student’s adjustment and academic progress. Homestay accommodation is arranged to ensure students live and study in a safe and nurturing family environment. The school also encourages international students to participate actively in school activities, helping them become part of the school community as quickly as possible.

Campus Location

Samuel Marsden is located in Wellington city, just minutes from the city centre, offering a world-class tranquil learning environment. The campus features modern facilities including teaching buildings, sports venues, an arts centre, and a library.

Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and the nation’s political and cultural hub. The city is compact yet vibrant, with abundant cultural amenities and natural resources. The surrounding neighbourhood is safe and family-friendly, with convenient public transport and comprehensive local amenities.

Application Process

1. Contact Letu Education for a free assessment
2. Confirm availability of places at the school
3. Prepare application documents
4. Submit the enrolment application
5. Apply for a student visa upon receiving the offer of place
6. Arrange homestay accommodation and airport transfer services