St Margaret's College is a IB school in Christchurch, New Zealand. Founded in 1910. It serves 848 students for students aged 2–18. Annual tuition ranges from $11,499 to $19,209 USD.
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Location & Getting There
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Key Details
Scholarships Available
Middle School scholarships for new and current students entering Years 7 and 9 provide up to 50% tuition remission for four years (Years 7–10), with an additional Middle School Boarding Scholarship of up to 50% boarding fee remission. Year 9 scholarships (limited number) offer up to 50% tuition remission for five years across categories: Academic, Sports, Performing Arts, and General Excellence. The Old Girls' Association Scholarship offers up to 25% tuition remission for five years from Year 9 to direct descendants of Old Girls. A Boarding Scholarship provides up to 50% boarding fee remission for five years from Year 9. An International Scholarship is also available to international students. Senior School scholarships for 2027 open in July 2026.
Key facts
About
St Margaret's College is a private, all-girls school in Christchurch, New Zealand, authorized by the International Baccalaureate since September 2001. The school offers mixed boarding and day facilities with instruction in English, and is registered to offer IB Diploma Programme subjects.
School data verified by NanaSays. Last updated: April 2026.
Why Families Choose
All-girls day and boarding school offering a dual academic pathway of NCEA and the IB Diploma Programme. The campus underwent an 80% rebuild after the Canterbury earthquakes, providing modern, world-class facilities. Holistic, whānau-centred education is supported by the Leck Centre for Learning Enhancement, a strong boarding community across three year-group houses, and an IB World School designation with above-average IB scores.
Fees & Financials
| Grade / Year | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Years 1-3 | NZD 11,499~$ 7,012 |
| Years 4-6 | NZD 14,646~$ 8,930 |
| Years 7-8 | NZD 17,080~$ 10,415 |
| Years 9-13 | NZD 19,209~$ 11,713 |
| IB (where applicable) | NZD 915~$ 558 |
Conversions to USD use exchange rates as of April 2026.
Original currency: NZ$18,850 - 31,490. Application fee: $122.
Admissions Process
- 1Apply online via the online enrolment form and pay a non-refundable NZ$200 enrolment fee. Required documents include birth certificate, passport, proof of residency or citizenship, recent photo, and (where applicable) school report and educational assessments. 2. Principal interview — daughter meets with the Executive Principal or Head of School. 3. Offer of place — families are informed of an offer or waitlist placement. If accepted, a non-refundable NZ$2,000 acceptance fee is payable to secure the place.
Admissions Details
Following the principal interview, applicants may receive an offer of place or be placed on the waitlist.
Boarding Life
Three on-campus boarding houses by year group: Julius House (Years 7–10), Kilburn House (Years 11–12), Cranmer House (Year 13). Boarding includes accommodation, all meals (breakfast, subsidised lunch, afternoon tea, dinner), supervised prep, and a weekend and evening activity programme including events run jointly with Christ's College.
Three on-campus boarding houses arranged by year group: Julius House (Years 7–10), Kilburn House (Years 11–12), and Cranmer House (Year 13). Each house has its own staff team, and a buddy system connects boarders with senior girls. Day students join boarders for lunch and co-curricular activities.
Student Life
Six houses: Kōnini (purple), Kōwhai (yellow), Mānuka (white), Matipo (brown), Rātā (red), and Rimu (green). They foster belonging, friendly rivalry, and vertical integration from Year 0–13. Each house has a House Prefect supported by a teacher in charge and a council of Year 12–13 students; house meetings are held regularly.
Formal uniform system with separate provisions for Junior/Middle School and Senior School. Items include long-sleeved and short-sleeved blouses with tie, cardigan, gym dress, tailored shorts with T-shirt, jacket, a junior hat, a red blazer (awarded), and tailored navy trousers.
Kilburn Dining Room serves as the school cafeteria. Students may choose from a wide range of reasonably priced and well-balanced foods or bring their own. Payment is via barcode on the student ID card, with cafeteria accounts billed monthly. Junior School families order lunch on Kindo by 9am. Boarding inclusions cover breakfast, subsidised lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner.
Facilities & Programmes
Wellbeing & Safety
Wellbeing is embedded across the curriculum, guided by five pillars (connecting, taking notice, being active, continued learning, and giving) and the Hauora model. An on-site Health Centre provides a School Nurse, two full-time counsellors, and access to a physiotherapist. A Chaplain supports spiritual and emotional needs, and boarders can access a GP through St Albans Medical Center.
St Margaret's College has a Child Protection Policy committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children. A Designated Person for Child Protection (Executive Principal) and a Designated Leadership Team oversee safeguarding. Staff are responsible for reporting concerns to Oranga Tamariki or NZ Police, maintaining confidentiality, and following professional standards. The policy references The Vulnerable Children's Hub for safeguarding concerns.
Student Demographics
School Background
private
Anglican