At St Cuthbert’s, we believe school should be a place of stability offering a sense of belonging so that our girls have every opportunity to feel connected, to strive for personal success and develop their sense of personal identity.
The St Cuthbert’s community offers a warm and nurturing environment in which girls and their families make meaningful connections. Lifelong friendships are one of the many assets with which St Cuthbert’s Old Girls leave the College. At St Cuthbert’s, students are welcomed at various entry levels from Year 0 – 13 and our staff are adept at helping girls settle and make friends.
In St Cuthbert’s Junior School, being part of a community of a happy, engaged and treasured student cohort is key. Belonging is much more than merely fitting in – it’s about feeling cared for. It’s knowing that your teachers and friends understand your talents and allow you the space needed to create magic with these talents. When children feel safe, and connected, they are open to learning and can succeed at every level.
For the older girls, our unique Year 7 Homeroom model provides the support needed to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically. Year 7 girls learn core subjects with their dedicated Homeroom Teacher. New students are carefully buddied with peers who attended our Junior School, so every girl knows at least one other student from the start.
From Years 8-13, we have a pastoral framework of Vertical Tutor Groups which provides girls with a dedicated Tutor Teacher throughout their time in the Senior School. Students meet twice weekly in the relaxed atmosphere of these groups, mixing with girls from all year levels in the Senior School thereby fostering multi-year friendships and relationships of trust and leadership. This Senior School structure provides invaluable peer role modelling, and real a home away from home.
In Year 10, girls spend a several weeks at our remote campus, Kahunui. The experience is transformative and encourages students to step outside their comfort groups and work collaboratively with different groups of peers.
By the time a girl is ready to leave the St Cuthbert’s, she will not only be able to recognise her own strengths and talents, but will also move forward with a powerfully bonded group of friends who want to celebrate these successes together and share the excitement of the world beyond the College gates.
To find out more about St Cutherbert’s head to www.stcuthberts.school.nz
