Welcome to the 65th Annual Prize Giving of St Paul’s Collegiate School. I would like to formally welcome all those that have joined us in person and online as we celebrate outstanding student achievement. It is my privilege on behalf of my fellow trustees to be able to reflect on the success we have had in 2024. Today also marks an important point in our history where I share on behalf of my fellow Trustees a significant progression in the evolution of our great school.
As a Board, our strategy recognises the importance of both people and culture within the school and wider organisation – we continue to focus on our goal of being the Premier Boarding School in New Zealand. You might ask why such a focus on boarding? It is our strong belief that if we get boarding right in terms of expectations, systems and our pastoral care as an example – this all flows through into the day school. The professional development and support for a Boarding Housemaster becomes the same standard for a Day Housemaster; the quality recreational environment for a boarder becomes the same facilities available for a day student to enjoy. So we recognise that we not only need to provide high- quality facilities that encourage great learning outcomes, but we need also to continually invest in our people and give them every opportunity to be the best when in front of our students.
An important part of strategy is positioning and our offering. For some time now the Board has been discussing how we create the opportunity for girls to enrol in Years 9 and 10 at St Paul’s, in order for young women to benefit from a St Paul’s education earlier. We have been very deliberate and intentional in considering this, while at the same time continuing to grow the female roll in Years 11 to 13, with next year expected to have almost 40% girls in our Senior School.
We are now delighted to announce that from today we will be accepting enrolments for girls to commence in Year 9 at St Paul’s from 2026. A decision we as a Board believe is both right and timely.
Having said that, let me deal immediately with what is likely to be the first question individuals will ask. Yes, there will be changes to the current Tihoi programme from 2027 that will allow for a separate girls intake, providing young women the opportunity to have their own dedicated outdoor education programme in Year 10.
While the St Paul’s Year 11-13 educational experience will continue to consist of co - ed classes, importantly girls and boys will be taught separately in Years 9 and 10. So, from 2026 St Paul’s will commence being a fully co - ed independent school, but with singlesex teaching and learning environments in the Years 9 and 10 Junior School.
The Board has separately been considering further improvements to the current Tihoi programme and these changes will be introduced progressively over the next two years. One thing that the Board does not want to do is to make any change that impacts the core outdoor education aspects of the Tihoi programme. Currently, each intake spends a total of approximately 37 days in the outdoors either on rotations, expeditions, house tramps,
parent tramps and various solo activities – these are integral parts of the Tihoi programme and will not be changed.
We continue to activate The Master Campus Plan to ensure we have the best, fit for purpose facilities for our students and staff, aligned with our strategic intent. This year we completed the internal and external refurbishment of the D-Block classrooms, a Harington Boarding wing refurbishment, a Power infrastructure project to provide for future capacity, five renovated classrooms, the almost completed new Tihoi buildings and the Hamilton Campus Outdoor Dining area.
In September we announced The Hive project, this is a key component in activating and unlocking the next stages of the Master Campus plan, and building will commence shortly with an expected opening date of early 2026.
Next year our school roll will be just over 870 students – this is heartening. As our enrolments grow, we want to assure you the Board is committed to never allowing average class sizes to grow. We pride ourselves on having small classes, and we will continue to make significant investment in the development of our people and our campus to achieve this, maintaining an average of 20 students or less in our classes. Again, this is a deliberate strategic choice that we believe provides the greatest opportunity for every student to reach their full potential. Reflecting on the past successes our students have enjoyed, it is important to recognise when making changes that there are some key elements that have made St Paul’s what it is today. One element that has contributed immensely is the role of an engaged and inspiring House Master –with change we continue to invest in the School’s pastoral roles, so that we continue to benefit from the culture they help nurture and the level of personalised pastoral care systems that you would identify with a smaller school.
As another successful academic year at St Paul’s draws to a close, I wish to acknowledge all staff who have concluded their time with us, and thank each and every one of them for their hard work, dedication and service to the school.
I also wish to acknowledge and say thank you for the contribution made by my fellow trustees, Terri Veitch, John Jackson, Bruce Miller, Ali Grigg, Jon Calder, Ross Brown, Sir David Moxon, Cath Clark, Karen O’Meeghan, Jacquie Schuker and James Gurnick– thank you.
To all our staff both inside and outside the classroom – we acknowledge your efforts and contributions to St Paul’s in 2024. You make the St Paul’s difference real, for our students and wider St Paul’s community.
To leavers departing in 2024 – we wish you the best, and on behalf of the Board, can I say thank you to all our parents and guardians for your commitment, support and loyalty to our school. We value and are mindful of the sacrifices you make to send your sons and daughters to St Paul’s. Enjoy the upcoming break.
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