Figure 1.--The academic program at most private schools in New Zealand is more rigorous than at the state schools. Generally more after school assignmets are set. This is particularly the case of boarding schools..
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Figure 1.--The academic program at most private schools in New Zealand is more rigorous than at the state schools. Generally more after school assignmets are set. This is particularly the case of boarding schools.. |
Many of New Zealand's oldest secondary schools were founded as private scgools, but subsequently incoroporated into the state system. Several private secondary schools are organized and run as traditional English public (private) schools. A few are boarding schools. Several of these schools have in recent years also been incorporated into the state system through the Government's integration policy.
There are many different types of private secondary schools in New Zealand. Here are some of the major types. These different types are not necessarily exclusicve of each other, but there are many various combinatiions
A number of NZ private schools are founded along the lines of English public schools. The schools have the look of an English public and have similar programs.
New Zealand private secondary schools offer both coeducation and single-gender education. Most of the single-gender schools are the older, more traditional secondary schools. Some boys' schools have admitted girls as 7th formers in recent years. None of the girls' schools have adopted this policy.
Many of the more traditional schools were boarding schools in the English public school tradition. Boarding is today less important as fewer parents want to board their children. Many schools now operate entirely as day schools. Others operate with reduced boarf\ding roles. Some parents because of international postings need to board their children. Others continue to belive that boarding will be a an important character building experience as well lead to improved academic performance.
These brief descriptions provide a general idea about the size and nature of New Zealand private secondary schools.
Christ's College is an independent boys' secondary boarding and day school which offers an excellent all round education. The school is situated in the heart of Christchurch on the edge of the Botanical Gardens and Hagley Park and right next to the Arts Centre, Canterbury Museum and Art Gallery. Christ's College prepares boys to meet the challenges they will face in the future. It is a school where academic expectations and achievements are high, where creative expression and cultural development are fostered, where sport plays an important role and where boys are able to learn. The strong House system at Christ's College with four boarding and six dayboy houses, provides a pastoral focus and sense of identity for day to day life at College. Boarding at Christ's College means each boy is part of a close and caring community which creates a sense of personal and collective pride. Qualities such as integrity, spirituality, honesty and respect for others are all part
of a well rounded education which gives so many opportunities to excel across a wide range of endeavours.
Wanganui Collegiate School is a modern, independent, school community. With approximately 500 students and 50 teaching staff, many of whom live on site, Collegiate School offers boys and girls an active, challenging lifestyle and a well rounded education--a preparation for life. Founded in 1854, Collegiate School moved to its present spacious site in 1911. Buildings such as the historic Chapel and Big School are a reminder of the proud achievements of the past generations of students, while excellent science, computer, language and performing arts facilities point firmly towards the future. Wanganui Collegiate historic foundation and sense of tradition gives it a firm base on which to build for the future. The School's grounds cover 25 hectares within walking distance of the city centre and the country, in an area of great natural beauty within easy reach of main centres in the North Island. Many modern facilities have been added to the school in recent years. Few schools in the world can rival Collegiate's recent building additions: the Foundation Music School, the Prince Edward Auditorium and the Izard Sports Centre.
This is what some of the children thought about their primary schools and what they like to do at school.
