International Students

Welcome to St.Margaret’s College – a multicultural community spanning Asia to Africa, the Pacific and Europe including girls from seven to eighteen years old, boarders and day-girls, sportswomen, musicians, writers, mathematicians, actresses, orators, budding physicists as well as politicians in the making and would-be global ambassadors.

Our community strives to give every girl the opportunity to experience, explore and advance in a wide variety of human endeavour with emphasis on personal discovery and development which in turn fosters the expansion of each girl’s often hidden strengths and so enables her to realise her full potential at both a personal and global level.

And how does SMC achieve these outcomes?

Through a well qualified and resourced, fully committed staff at the leadership, academic, boarding, office and ancillary levels.

Through a carefully balanced, comprehensive and effective school curriculum aimed at achieving excellence.

Through a solidly embedded pastoral care framework which offers each girl individual advocacy, support and guidance through SMC’s over arching Christian philosophy, tutor group system, Deans, hostel managers, class room teachers, student- lead peer support and homework help, sports teams, dance/singing/jazz club managers as well as just a plain and simple ‘Hello’ and ‘Welcome’ into the SMC family.

Special enrolment opportunities 

International Student IB Scholarship 

50% International student fee + 50%  of the IB Fee

Special Package for International students fromY1 to Y8 

50% International student fee (eg; Y7 + $12633.25)

Testimonial

My name is Han Yang and I am currently studying in Y13 at St.Margaret’s College, New Zealand. I arrived here in January 2007 prepared for 2-3 years study at S.M.C. While I was coming here I was so excited and looking forward to a new life. I did not worry at all because I had been a boarder for years in China so I was already quite independent. Plus coming to NZ for a new life was my decision. I thought it was time to change my life.

My aim was to have more opportunities available worldwide as long as I could get really good grades here. I am glad that I am a person that can get used to things quickly. ‘Come on, I can do it. The challenge is just starting!’ I told myself. Taking pains with my work, talking with girls even though I made mistakes with my poor grammar: but never mind. I began to love the fun boarding house life. Truly the more effort you make the more you get back in return! I truly believe that challenging can enrich our life! I told myself that the only thing I needed to do was trust myself and give myself breathing time to cope with it. At the end of the year my teachers were shocked about my grades and at the prize giving I was rewarded in four out of five subjects with a cup for chemistry. I was the biggest winner! I was so proud of myself. Definitely I made the right decision to make me stronger.

However I am not a person who is crazy only about studying. I have lots of extra-curricular activities especially swimming and dancing. Swim club is at 6.30 am so I get up at 5.45 have a quick breakfast and do my warm-up exercises. It is quite a strict routine and swimming finishes at 8.00am.This leaves just enough time to be at class at 8.30am.I go to three dancing classes Latin- American, Hip Hop and Yoga on different days after school. It is a fun way to relax and keeps me fit. I usually go to the gym three times a week for fitness. It is a good way to release pressure and have a free mind though.

Last year during the school holidays I worked with disabled children for two weeks as part of a community service programme. It was so much fun with those lovely kids. Lucky me, thanks to those creative programmes, I enjoy myself and experience lots of activities that I have never done before like jet-boating and ice-skating. This meaningful experience gave me an unforgettable and rewarding time.

Participation is more important than the outcomes! As I am Y13 this year I am the Deputy Head of International Club and succeeded in organising the Chinese dance at International Week. I took part in the Australian Maths Competition and got Distinction. I am confidently entering calculus and chemistry scholarships at the end of the year.

I’m very grateful for the knowledge , friends and experiences that I have gained from studying in New Zealand. It is great and I hope my educational life continues to be great.