The Latest in Independent Education

Outstanding individuals receive ISNZ Honours Awards

Independent Schools community connects at 2024 ISNZ Conference

ISNZ hosts largest conference to date in Te Pae, Christchurch.

Christ’s College pays tribute to Garth Wynne

Christ’s College Executive Principal Garth Wynne has taken his final walk around the Quad, flanked by a guard of honour of students and staff, culminating in an emotional Chapel service and a powerful school haka.

Huanui College Annual inter-whānau Haka Competition

The annual Haka Competition between each of our College whānau groups went off with a bang on the last day of Term 2! Each year, this event showcases an increasing effort from each whānau in their execution and presentation of the school haka.

Rangi Ruru Girl’s School welcomes Tracy Herft

Rangi Ruru Girls’ School recently welcomed Tracy Herft as their new principal. Herft joins Rangi Ruru from Strathcona Girls Grammar in Melbourne, where she was Deputy Principal, and had previously held positions including Acting Principal, Head of Mathematics and Dean of Studies.

Future Problem Solving: St Andrew’s College Third in the World

A group of 11 Year 8–9 students travelled with Preparatory School Future Problem Solving coach, Sonia Lewis, and Preparatory School teacher Kelly McBride, to the International Future Problem Solving Competition held at Indiana University Bloomington, USA. The teams qualified in the New Zealand national finals in October 2023 while in the Preparatory School.

St Margaret’s College Makes History at South Island Secondary Schools Netball Tournament

St Margaret’s College has achieved an extraordinary milestone by winning both the Year 9 and Year 10 divisions at the South Island Secondary Schools Netball Tournament. This historic achievement marks the first time in the tournament’s recorded history that a single school has claimed victory in both competitions.

Kristin wins back-to-back National Spanish Debate titles

The Kristin Spanish debating team made up of Miriam Alshaar (Year 12), David Luo (Year 13), Emma Gunn (Year 13) and Stefan Thompson (Year 13) have been crowned National Spanish Debate champions after defeating Rangitoto College in an enthralling final held in the Kristin Auditorium.

Medbury School’s Whole School Community Service Day

Medbury School recently organised a Whole School Community Service Day, an event that brought together boys, parents, and staff, and was a significant milestone in Medbury’s developing Leadership and Service Programme, which aims to assist in the character development of the boys by promoting leadership as service to others.

Ngā Huarahi Pūtaiao – The Science Pathways at Selwyn House School

An oven tray designed for people with arthritis, an AI application to help blind people recognise when a bus approaches their stop, and a longer lasting ice cube are amongst the ingenious creations that have come out of a new programme that Year 7 Selwyn House students are undertaking this year.

Student ambassadors: your admissions secret weapon

When families are scoping out a new school, they need three things: authenticity, personalisation and alignment to their values. Your admissions team has the huge responsibility of catering to all this and demonstrating that your school is a great fit. In fact, this responsibility is so big, it’s almost impossible for your admissions team to complete the job alone.

How Chartwells is Transforming the Culinary Landscape within the Residential Education Market

In an era shaped by overstimulation, young people’s understanding of food has evolved significantly. With unprecedented access to diverse culinary experiences through social media, chef influencers, or popular TV shows like FX’s The Bear, today’s students have developed sophisticated tastes and a heightened awareness of food and nutrition. In response to these changing preferences, Chartwells, the leading provider of catering services within New Zealand’s education sector, has embraced the challenge by setting a new benchmark in residential catering tailored to the needs of today’s youth.

International tours – ensuring safety of people and funds

Once again, over the past couple of months there has been intense media coverage of tour companies letting schools, parents and students down when it comes to security of funds paid, and safety of groups on tour.

ISNZ Reputational Management – How to effectively manage employee complaints

Maintaining a strong reputation is paramount for independent schools to ensure the maintenance of higher-level education services that they provide.Complaints about the conduct of staff is a reputational risk for independent schools, and it is crucial to have clear policies and procedures in place that set out how complaints will be dealt with.

The Future of School Operations: How Best-of-Breed Approaches Drive Digital Transformation

Are you ready to modernise your school’s operations with a Best-of-Breed strategy? This blog delves into the effectiveness of best-of-breed approaches in driving digital transformation within educational institutions. Discover how to seamlessly integrate digital tools into your school’s operations and revolutionise your processes.

FUJIFILM Business Innovation: Shaping Future Leaders through Experience

At FUJIFILM Business Innovation, we’re passionate about nurturing the next generation of Kiwi leaders, which is why we take part in AUT’s Shadow a Leader programme each year.

Creating supportive school environments | Psychological Safety with Komodo

Brought to you by Komodo Wellbeing & Independent Schools of New Zealand. Join Komodo Wellbeing Psychotherapist, Hannah Longley as she explores the concept of Psychological Safety and what this looks like for staff and students within schools.

Sea-ing the world from a different perspective

Huanui College alumni member Connan Wiegersma gives us a wave, telling of his experience joining the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Early Bird – ends Friday 5 July! Book now!

We warmly invite you to join us for the 2024 ISNZ Annual Conference, bringing together Governors, Heads, Principals, Business Managers and senior leaders from New Zealand and abroad, to explore the Shifting Tides in education.

Building strong relationships: How to use the PACE Model to connect with your students

By Ilia Lindsay, Registered Psychologist and Komodo Psychology Lead

Boarding Blog – St Cuthbert’s College

St Cuthbert’s College Boarding is a truly special place.

New Zealand Lit Quiz Champions!

The Cathedral Grammar School is absolutely thrilled to announce that its talented team of Heather, Emily, Kohei and Bea competed recently in the National Finals held in Wellington and won!

Sea-ing the world from a different perspective

Huanui College alumni member Connan Wiegersma gives us a wave, telling of his experience joining the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Strengthening bonds: Marsden School embraces visit from Xiamen Shuangshi Middle School

From left to right: Marsden Principal Paula Wells, Mayor of Wellington Tory Whanau and Xiamen Shuangshi Middle School Principal Ouyang Ling

Tapping Along to Anything Goes

Teaching 50 teenagers to tap dance in 12 weeks is no mean feat, but choreographer Hannah Clarkson has managed to get everyone in step in time for a fast-moving Christ’s College production of Anything Goes.

St Andrew’s College opens $21m performing arts centre

St Andrew’s College officially opened its impressive new $21 million Ngā Toi Performing Arts Centre incorporating the Gough Family Theatre, on Sunday 12 May, with the celebrations including a stunning student performance of the hit musical Legally Blonde.

Policy FAQ with SchoolDocs

SchoolDocs is delighted to be attending the ISNZ conference this year in our home town of Ōtautahi. We’re looking forward to hearing about how schools are putting their policies and procedures into practice. If you’re a SchoolDocs subscriber keen to tell us how it’s working for your school, or if you’re thinking about signing up, we’d love to see you at the SchoolDocs stand.

FUJIFILM’S Five Things You Didn’t Know your MFD Can Do (and one that it can’t)

Your office photocopier probably doesn’t get a lot of attention. If you’re like most people, the most time you spend with it is probably to reload paper. But when was the last time you really sat down and got to know it? If you did, you might be surprised.

Early Bird ends 5 July – book now!

We warmly invite you to join us for the 2024 ISNZ Annual Conference, bringing together Governors, Heads, Principals, Business Managers and senior leaders from New Zealand and abroad, to explore the Shifting Tides in education.

Latest ISNZ newsletter, hot off the press!

Read about our upcoming ISNZ Conference and insightful Sponsor thought-leadership pieces. Plus, find out the latest School news.

Texthelp’s software solutions to support inclusive education

We are very excited to welcome to the local Texthelp team in Aotearoa New Zealand our new Texthelper, Aaron Overington. Aaron may be known to you already through his strategic work in education in previous roles, and we are delighted to now have him on board.

SchoolDocs: Policy and Procedure Confidence

SchoolDocs has been providing online policies and procedures to New Zealand schools since 2006. The SchoolDocs team develops tailor-made policies for New Zealand’s dynamic educational environment. With a dedicated team of content specialists and a cohort of over 2000 schools, we work to ensure school policies stay up to date with the needs of schools and their communities.

Simpson Grierson – Health and Safety

A recent High Court decision1, challenged the widely accepted legal principle that trust is not a legal entity, and therefore cannot be subject to WorkSafe prosecution under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA).

Opinion: Mobile Phones and Schools

Dr Simon Paul Atkinson has spent over thirty years in educational technology, academic development and professional development roles. This blog represents a personal reflection on the part of the author and does not represent an official position on the part of Independent Schools of New Zealand. Versions of these thoughts have already been shared via sijen.com and flanz.org.nz.

At St Margaret’s College we don’t like cricket – we love it!

With over one hundred girls now proudly participating in the game at various levels, SMC has been announced winner of the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) Outstanding Female Engagement Award for 2024.

Embracing Creativity – Introducing Toi Manawa by Emma Featherstone, Director of Music, Head of Department of Performing Arts, Head of Culture

Excitement buzzes in the air as we unveil the newest gift in our community’s crown – Toi Manawa, the King’s College Music and Performing Arts Centre. With a name meaning ‘The heart of the arts’, this isn’t just another building; it’s a vibrant hub pulsating with creative energy, poised to enrich our lives in countless ways.

Bringing ethics into the classroom – introducing Rebecca Berry Eden

The new director of Diocesan’s Centre for Ethics, Rebecca Berry Eden, is keen to encourage students to think critically about ethical issues and align them to topics taught in everyday teaching.

Welcoming Jane Harris: Fostering Excellence and Authentic Action at Our St Mark’s School and Preschool

With great pleasure, we introduce Jane Harris, the new deputy principal of St Mark’s School and Preschool. With over thirty years of experience in teaching and leadership roles within independent schools across the Wellington Region, Jane brings a dynamic blend of expertise, passion, and innovation to our St Mark’s community.

Whitby Collegiate Student Off to Yale

Congratulations to Year 12 student, Ishaan Badiyani, who will be spending two weeks of the upcoming July holidays at Yale University in the USA, having won a place at the Yale Young Global Scholars programme.

Great Start to 2024 at St Cuthbert’s College

2024 is off to an amazing start at St Cuthbert’s. From sport to performing arts, music, visual art and so much more – it has been a productive and happy time.

Alinta Apparel to attend ISNZ Conference

Alinta Apparel is a quality bespoke uniform manufacturer and retailer based in Christchurch. Alinta offers independent schools across New Zealand, quality, customised, academic and sports uniforms. As one of the most trusted sources of on-campus retail solutions in the industry Alinta is pleased to be attending the ISNZ Conference in Christchurch.

Managing student stress: Understanding the window of tolerance

Stress is an unavoidable aspect of our everyday lives, and the challenges that arise during adolescence often lead high school students to feel more stressed than usual. Environmental and societal stressors that they encounter on a daily basis add pressure to their nervous systems, making it difficult for them to regulate their emotions.

Work Smarter for Our Communities with FUJIFILM Business Innovation

Choosing FUJIFILM Business Innovation as your technology partner means more than just accessing an exciting range of products and services; it means investing in community initiatives that make a real difference.

Marsden welcomes renowned artist Lori Davis as 2024 Artist in Residence

Deemed the ultimate creative masterclass, Marsden’s Artist in Residence programme offers Visual Art students and students in the wider school the invaluable opportunity to collaborate with practising artists.

Boat Day

Matahui School held its annual Boat Day recently at the Omokoroa Domain. Boat Day is a highlight in its school calendar and a cherished school tradition.

Southwell School’s New Boarding House

In 1921 Southwell boarding started with a gift and since then the Southwell Boarding House has sat at the heart of the school and served thousands of students as a home away from home.

Charlie and Cole share princely role at Court Theatre

Setting the scene for their flourishing stage careers, Christ’s College students Charlie Wood and Cole Moffatt have secured their first leading roles for The Court Theatre.

Mid-term microbreaks are increasing student success

Just as industry leaders are re-evaluating the standard 9 to 5, 40 hour a work week, Huntley School in Marton has reconsidered the number of weeks in a row that students effectively learn without a break.

2024 ISNZ Annual Conference – Early Bird – Book Now!

This event will bring together Governors, Heads, Principals, Business Managers and senior leaders from New Zealand and abroad, to explore the Shifting Tides in education.

Taking note of pianist Ryan Gu

Ryan Gu has delivered an exceptional performance to be named the runner-up at the 2023 Lewis Eady National Junior Piano Competition in Auckland.

St Cuthbert’s College Sherilyn White Scholarship

St Cuthbert’s College is delighted to announce that the prestigious Sherilyn White Scholarship has been awarded to Kate Irwin, for her outstanding sporting achievements, and ‘By Love Serve’ approach in giving back to the College, and students.

View Cyclone’s Microsoft Co Pilot webinar

Cyclone hosted a successful webinar with Microsoft Copilot two weeks ago. A recording of the webinar is available here for anyone who may have missed it.

Neurodiversity and Behaviour by Hanna Tevita, Simpson Grierson

The neurodiversity space is constantly changing and growing as experts in this area continue to expand their knowledge. It is important to understand the challenges that are faced for the students and the school when dealing with students who have neurodevelopmental conditions.

Fully immersive and sensory experiences with Tour Time

In years gone by, students could only dream of a time when technology would put the world in the palm of their hand. The digital age has brought many benefits to our students and youth during their most formative years; however, parents and teachers alike have noticed that many of our children now experience life through a screen and have diverted their attention from outwards to downwards.

Nourishing the Minds of a Digital Generation: Chartwells’ Smart Food Solutions

In an era defined by rapid technological advancements and unprecedented access to information, today’s youth are growing up in a digital landscape unlike any generation before them.

Digital Transformation in Accounts Payable with Alii

Case Study: How Brisbane Grammar School Unlocked efficiency and saved 20 minutes per order with Alii

Navigating the New Frontier: An AI Policy and Guidance Framework for Schools by Akotech

In an era where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the educational landscape, schools are at a critical juncture of transformation. The emergence of AI technologies, including tools like ChatGPT, brings both opportunities and challenges that necessitate a nuanced approach to policy formulation and implementation.

Sebel’s mindfull mission

Mindfull’s mission is simple but significant – to create happy spaces for the next generation, however they like to learn.

Digistorm – 5 ways school apps can make an impact

Did you know that the average person spends over three hours on a mobile device every day? Our smartphones are always with us — most people even sleep next to their phone — so it’s no surprise that many forward-thinking companies (including schools) are choosing to engage their customers with a mobile app.

Building Digital Literacy by Ilia Lindsay, Komodo

How do we find the balance when it comes to managing the increasingly pervasive presence of technology and students who are in a critical developmental period? The answer is introducing a solid digital literacy strategy in your classroom.

Introducing Hutton Consulting Australia

We are delighted to welcome Hutton Consulting Australia (HCA) as a new sponsor.

Transforming Data and Assessment Processes with digital tools by Education Perfect

The demand for personalised student learning in dynamic classrooms is at an all-time high, necessitating effective tools for teachers to identify and address individual student needs without increasing their workload.

Picture-Perfect Showcase at Fujifilm Business Innovation headquarters

Come along to this exclusive opportunity as Fujifilm unveils the impressive capabilities of its EPSON P-series and T-Series wide format printers, showcasing why they’re your leading choice for wide format solutions. This event promises an evening filled with insights, networking opportunities, and the chance to explore Fujifilm’s cutting-edge technology first-hand.

The Value of Partnership

Our sponsors provide expertise, networks, and tailored solutions, enhancing educational practices and strategic planning. They offer valuable thought leadership, sharing insights and trends that shape the future of education. These collaborations drive innovation, equip students for the future, and foster a sense of community among stakeholders.

St Cuthbert’s is once again the top all girls’ school in the country.

St Cuthbert’s students gained a record number of NZQA Scholarships in 2023 resulting in a phenomenal 114 scholarships across 27 subjects, with twins, Ena (10) and Belle Yin (8), gaining 18 scholarships between them in Year 12! Ena is in the top two students in New Zealand and a contender for the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award. Both Ena and Belle have been awarded Premier Scholars’ Awards, placing them in the top 10 students in the country.

Beyond COP21 Symposium

Principal & Environmental Lead Teachers are invited to attend a full day Beyond COP21 Symposium, kindly hosted by Green School New Zealand, on Tuesday, 9th April 2024 from 9.00am to 4.00 pm.

ISNZ Honours Awards 2024

The ISNZ Honours Awards aim to inspire members through recognition and celebration of innovation and excellence so that our schools remain at the forefront of educational best practice and achievement outcomes.

Changes at ISNZ

2024 has started with some exciting changes at ISNZ and Chief Executive, Guy Pascoe continues to be passionate about ISNZ’s purpose, saying ‘it is our absolute commitment to represent the interests of our schools, grow capability in the sector and champion choice in education.’

Brand Refresh

A brand refresh isn’t just cosmetic – it’s a strategic investment aimed at yielding significant benefits. The ISNZ Board felt that the time was right to evaluate and refresh our brand; ensuring we stay relevant, memorable, and impactful.

Conference 2024

After a long absence, we are incredibly excited to be returning to Ōtautahi Christchurch for our Conference in August.

From the Blue Dorm to Director of Boarding

St Margaret’s College is pleased to announce the appointment of two key staff to enhance their already comprehensive offering for international and domestic students. Rachel Clemenger as Director of Boarding and Valerie Eves (Inset) as International Baccalaureate Coordinator.

Christ’s College star AJ Madondo leaps to a national title

AJ Madondo, 17, won the national senior triple jump title, set a personal-best (PB) 10.64sec in the 100m quarter-final, and finished 3rd in the 100m final at the 2023 New ZealandSecondary Schools Athletics Championships and Road Race at Ngā Puna Wai.

Discovering Hong Kong with Christ College’s Benson Geng-Wang

Seeking to broaden his horizons through Round Square exchange opportunities, Year 12 student Benson Geng-Wang eagerly signed up for a taste of Hong Kong. He joined the prestigious St Paul’s Co-Educational College (SPCC) for two weeks in early December 2023.

Three scholarships for Whitby Collegiate

Congratulations to Leo Cao and Bailey Symons for achieving scholarship awards in 2023.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

The 2024 CPD programme looks a little different from previous years. This year we are taking a thematic approach to our workshops.

DIO Student is top in the country for Scholarship History

Sixteen-year-old Amelia Frear, who moved to New Zealand from Cambridge, UK, when she was in Year 9, has topped the country in Scholarship History.

Matahui School takes learning outside at ‘one-day school’

Matahui School starts the new academic year with its highest student numbers since 2020.

Future Leaders Course

We are delighted to be partnering with the Edge Institute and ACELearn to offer this bespoke course to help grow junior or middle leaders who are aspiring for more responsibility within the school sector. The course, presented by Neil McDonald and Lisa Newland, commences with GENOS 360 survey, and is followed by three full-day workshops that will explore the concepts of Leading Self and Others, Influence and Key Conversations.

Independent schools seek staff for new academic year

Check out the job vacancy listings to find a teaching job that interests you.

St Cuthbert’s Top Scholars of 2023

St Cuthbert’s is delighted to celebrate and congratulate its top scholars of 2023!

St Andrew’s College annual Prizegiving performance of Stairway to Heaven goes viral

At the St Andrew’s College annual Prizegiving this year, held on Sunday 26 November at Christchurch’s Wolfbrook Arena, the spotlight shone on various talented individuals and groups as the College celebrated the many successes of its students in 2023. However, the highlight of the evening came during the grand finale performance, a rendition of Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven that left the packed auditorium of around 3,500 students, parents, and staff astounded by the musical talents of St Andrew’s College students.

Celebrating Success: ACG Strathallan Excels in Cambridge Learner Awards

ACG Strathallan fosters excellence in education by producing students who excel on the global stage – and the school’s recent success in the June Cambridge Learner Awards is a stellar example.

Future Problem Solving Nationals at St Cuthbert’s College

At St Cuthbert’s, numerous emerging changemakers have been recognised, as evidenced by the recent Future Problem Solving National Finals results.

St Margaret’s College’s Kathryn Gray was appointed to the Adolescent Success Committee

St Margaret’s College’s Head of Middle School Kathryn Gray has been appointed the New Zealand seconded rep to the Adolescent Success Committee.

ISNZ Data and Insights Report 2023

Independent schooling in New Zealand provides a significant contribution to society, not only through the quality education of young people but also in the ways it creates and serves communities throughout the country.

Samuel Marsden Collegiate School student excels in global Chinese language competition

Year 11 student Telesia Tanoa’i of Samuel Marsden Collegiate School has been named the top Chinese language student in Oceania and one of the top five Chinese learners in the world.

Future Problem Solvers at St Andrew’s College

St Andrew’s College Preparatory School students experienced huge success in Auckland in early November at the 2023 National Finals for Future Problem Solving, coming away with an incredible three first placings for New Zealand, amongst other top accolades:

William (Will) Struthers is appointed as the Principal of Scots College Middle School

It is with great pleasure that Graeme Yule announces the appointment of Mr. William (Will) Struthers as the Principal of the Middle School, effective January 2024.

Christ’s College pair secure front-row seats for world titles

Fergus Johnston and Charlie Poulter have ‘rowed’ their way to France, lining up for New Zealand in the eight and the pair, respectively, at the World Rowing U19 Championships.

Green School New Zealand wins education architecture award

Green School New Zealand was honoured to recently win a top architecture award for its Kina building at the Western NZIA Local Architecture Awards.

Medbury School Scholarship Winners 2023

Medbury School have announced their Scholarship Winners for 2023, acknowledging the boys for their balance of talent and efforts:

Rangi Ruru’s World Record attempt for World Vision

Students at Rangi Ruru Girls’ School attempted to set a world record on Friday, for the most water transported by hand over 1km, in aid of World Vision’s 40-hour Challenge.

Saint Kentigern’s Awards-Winning Learning Spaces

At the 2023 Auckland region Te Kahui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Awards held recently, 57 architectural project winners spanning 12 categories were recognised for their visionary designs.