St Mary s Diocesan School SUCCESSFUL LEARNERS; RESOLUTE WOMEN; COURAGEOUS LEADERS... PROSPECTUS
Why choose St Mary s Diocesan School for your daughter? Girls are encouraged to take risks and excel in the co-operative classroom atmosphere. There are strong female role models at St Mary s so that students learn to expect successful outcomes from their efforts. Opportunities provided in curricular activities encourage students to achieve to the best of their ability and to learn to lead. The challenges of adolescence can be met in a supportive and non threatening environment. Traditional values are promoted and reinforced to provide the foundation for students to achieve and become successful, admired woman. Classes are small and you get individual attention so that you learn more (Clare Yr 10) The small roll ensures that the needs of each student are met maintaining a balance between the academic, sporting and cultural opportunities available. The fees structure is amazingly reasonable. St Mary s students consistently rank in the top academic group of students in New Zealand. Students leave school with a clear vision of their lives, their values and their talents. The Hostel provides outstanding accommodation with support and routine for each student encouraging achievement in all their endeavours. Care Respect Responsibility Perseverance Service SUCCESSFUL LEARNERS; RESOLUTE WOMEN; COURAGEOUS LEADERS 1
History It is small with a real family like atmosphere (Kimberley-Yr 13) St Mary s Diocesan School opened in 1914. When it first opened, there were two teachers Miss Marchant, who was also the Principal, and Miss Shepherd, 2 boarders, 10 days girls and 10 day boys. However, it wasn t long before the school roll climbed and the school outgrew the building. The School Board in 1917 purchased the current site of 11 ½ acres and arranged for new buildings to be built. The building was named after Miss Marchant and it still stands. In its early days, the Principals of St Mary s were without doubt women of education, vision and courage. It is on foundations left by these women that St Mary s is built. The building of the current Chapel, by Miss Roberton, is one illustration of the quality on which St Mary s is based. Miss Roberton, when asked for a Chapel to be built, was told there was no money and to build it herself. What else was she to do, but just that! Once the plans were drawn up, it was all hands to work. Staff, students and others were all pressed into digging and laying the foundation, making bricks and fundraising. With this kind of determination it was not surprising that the Chapel was opened in 1956. This spirit of innovation, commitment and perseverance to achieve is still alive at St Mary s today. Since those days, the school has continued to grow and expand. New buildings and facilities have been added, but the spirit of these early years lives on in the school culture. 2 SUCCESSFUL LEARNERS; RESOLUTE WOMEN; COURAGEOUS LEADERS
Academic To be a successful learner for the 21st century is about being able to obtain qualifications, acquire new knowledge, have great literacy and numeracy skills, and be able to manage all the information available with today s technology. Vital to all this, is the ability to communicate ideas to others and to establish strong work ethics. St Mary s is proud of the success its students achieve in external examinations. We are regularly the top school in Taranaki and in the top group of schools throughout New Zealand. Quotes from our ERO Report of 2009: NCEA results compare very favourably with national and decile comparisons. Level 2 and 3 achievement levels have continued to significantly exceed national results. In 2008 96% of Year 12 students gained Level 2 and 82% of Year 13 students gained university entrance compared to 51% nationally. Classes are small and focussed on learning students really support each other and aim to succeed (Parent) Teachers know their students and use teaching practices which encourage achievement. Teachers show a willingness to support individual student s in their academic work, including outside class time. ERO 2009 Students are motivated to achieve through awareness of academic progress. ERO 2009 Care Respect Responsibility Perseverance Service SUCCESSFUL LEARNERS; RESOLUTE WOMEN; COURAGEOUS LEADERS 3
Small classes really help and teachers are happy to help you after school (Sabrina-Yr 9) Numeracy and Literature At St Mary s we have a clear focus on ensuring that the literacy and the numeracy skills of each student are high enough to ensure that they can be successful learners. Historically St Mary s has had 100 percent achievement in NCEA literacy and numeracy. At St Mary s every student matters! The learning needs of each are determined through testing to establish literacy and numeracy skills. This testing enables us to develop a very clear picture of their strengths and those areas that need development. If students need extra literacy or numeracy support, this is provided either through in-class support or by withdrawal to work in smaller groups or individually with a specialist teacher. Students who require extension are provided opportunities in Mathematics and English. In some cases this will involve enrolment in a Level 1 NCEA course. At other times students may be enrolled in courses that enable them to follow a specific interest. The learning needs of students is coordinated by the Learning Support teacher. St Mary s is well equipped with IT. Video-conferencing equipment and e-learning facilities enable teachers to bring the world into our classrooms and extend the learning opportunities for our students. 4 SUCCESSFUL LEARNERS; RESOLUTE WOMEN; COURAGEOUS LEADERS
Pastoral St Mary s is a family school. Each student is considered to be part of our family and is expected to respect and care for each other, staff and their environment. We are regularly in contact with parents to ensure that we are working with the student s home to achieve the best of care for them. To achieve this at St Mary s we have: Vertical Form Classes Our form classes include students from Year 9-13. This enables older students to provide both leadership and support for the younger students. Vertical form classes also maintain family contact with sisters being allocated to the same House (a pair of vertical form groups). Deans Each year level has a Dean who monitors both academic and social progress of each student in their form. Once a fortnight there is a Dean s meeting which gives an opportunity for Deans to work with the students on a variety of topics, from study skills through to positive relationship skills. Chaplain The Chaplain is not only responsible for the spiritual development of the students and is also available for pastoral care both in the Hostel and in the school. Matrons The matrons receive Professional Development on the needs of teenage girls and indeed are mothers themselves. They are very capable and empathetic. Part of their job description is to provide support for the students. Big Sisters When students start in Year 9, each of them is given a Big Sister from Year 13. The Year 13 students act just like a big sister, by showing their little sisters what to do and by providing a listening ear when needed. This relationship is continued throughout the year with many old girls fondly recalling their big sister many years later. It is really friendly and the teachers take time to see you as an individual (Danielle-Yr 13) Students and teachers describe a family atmosphere where individual students support each other in a range of situations and teachers know individuals well. ERO 2009 SUCCESSFUL LEARNERS; RESOLUTE WOMEN; COURAGEOUS LEADERS 5
Extra Curricular Every student gets to take part in sport, drama and music. They discover interests and talents they wouldn t normally (Parent) Different extra-curricular activities discover and develop the talents of our students. Participation in these events also develops skills for life. Students learn great relationship skills as they work in a team and compete. They also reinforce the values that are part of life at St Mary s respect, responsibility, perseverance, service and care and ensure that students not only succeed in life, but are also people with integrity. Sports All our students are encouraged to participate in sports. Our sport s coordinator organises teams to participate in regular competitions and one off events. They are also able to organise for students coaching and provide information about a sport a student may be interested in as well. St Mary s has teams that participate in regular competition, in netball, tennis, basketball, hockey, soccer and squash. We also participate in the Taranaki Secondary Schools Competition (TSSSA). The Sports Co-ordinator organises the participation of our students in the wide variety of events that make up this competition. They include skiing, equestrian, swimming, athletics, rowing, golf, volleyball and numerous others. Throughout their time at St Mary s, students also have the opportunity to challenge themselves through participation in the Outdoor Education Programme. In Year 9, students have a team-building camp at Te Wera and, in Year 10, meet some exciting personal challenges in their TOPEC Camp. Art The Arts, especially art and music, are a unique part of St Mary s. In year 9 students take Art, Drama and Music. These subjects are also available at senior level. Many students also take advantage of participating in the extensive range of musical instrument tuition that is available. Our choirs also provide opportunities for students. House Music competition, which all the students participate in is a highlight of the year. Stage Challenge and school productions are big features of our school life, with a large number of students involved. The New Girls Concert provides an opportunity for both new girls and staff to showcase their talents, with enthusiastic support from the rest of the school. 6 SUCCESSFUL LEARNERS; RESOLUTE WOMEN; COURAGEOUS LEADERS
Boarding Boarding provides huge opportunities to students. They develop independence, tolerance and attitudes to achieve highly. St Mary s Diocesan is one of the few schools in New Zealand where the majority of the students are boarders. The hostel, like the school, has a family atmosphere. The same Anglican values of perseverance, respect, responsibility, service and care act as the basis for behaviour expected of all students. The recently built hostel provides for the social needs of teenage girls and also enables privacy. Most rooms are twin, with a bathroom and separate toilet shared among every four students. Prep Every evening all students have supervised prep (homework). For juniors, help is available for any difficulties that may have. If students have sporting or other obligations, then they are expected to do prep in the after school session. This regular routine establishes study habits that will serve them through life. Security The Hostel is very conscious of the security of each of the students. Transport is available to take them to various activities around Stratford. If they have to walk at all, then they must sign out and always go in pairs. At night electronic alarms and security patrols, along with matrons on duty, provide tight security. Food The school Chef and Hostel Manager work to ensure meals are healthy and attractive to the students. After school and at supper snacks are provided. Fruit is available at all times. If students wish to prepare a snack, a kitchen is available. Pastoral All matrons are aware of the needs of teenage girls, particularly when they first arrive to board at St Mary s. Routines are explained and girls assisted with the practical aspects of living in a hostel. Medical The students have access to the school doctor. Matrons will make appointment, transport the students and ensure prescriptions are filled. Sick Bay is also available close to the matron s administration area when students are unwell. Activities There is a wide range of activities available. If students attend dance, modelling or other activities in Stratford, transport is provided. We also ensure that our full boarders have weekend activities arranged for them. These range from shopping in New Plymouth, to skiing, walks and handcrafts. Boarding is fun you become more independent and learn how to get on with people (Hannah-Yr 9) Students are respected and responded to as individual (ERO 2009) SUCCESSFUL LEARNERS; RESOLUTE WOMEN; COURAGEOUS LEADERS 7
International Teachers who care, who notice, who value my daughter as an individual that is priceless (Parent) Everyone gets along St Mary s Diocesan has an excellent reputation for the quality of education delivered to their International students. We are signatory to the Code of Practice. International students have ESOL classes every day. These classes reinforce and extend the English language development in each of our students. ESOL students from St Mary s are very successful with their exams. The ESOL teacher is also the Dean of International students. This enables both careful monitoring of their academic progress and close supervision of their general well-being. International students generally stay in the hostel with the rest of the boarders. Our Home-stay Co-ordinator arranges homes for each of the students for weekends and holidays. We aim for each student to have the same home-stay over their time at St Mary s. and are friends (Tara-Yr 10) Students are engaged and enthusiastic in their classroom programmes (ERO 2009) Student s physical and emotional needs are well met through the school s pastoral care systems (ERO 2009) 8 SUCCESSFUL LEARNERS; RESOLUTE WOMEN; COURAGEOUS LEADERS
History St Mary s School is an integrated Anglican Secondary Boarding and Day School for girls from year 9 to year 13, offering education of a special character. The school was opened in 1914 and is still located on the original site in Stratford. St Mary s began with a group of concerned parents who wanted, for their daughters, a sound education with a Christian dimension. Their children were the original pupils. The school was a private one until its integration into the state system in 1978. The members of the St Mary s Society are the proprietors of the school. Mission Statement Our Anglican family school provides an individual education where students are encouraged to reach their potential in academic, cultural and sporting activities. In a Christian environment, we promote a concern for others and a sense of community. St Mary s Diocesan School Private Bag 714 Stratford NEW ZEALAND Phone: +64 6 765 5333 Fax: +64 6 765 5331 Email: office@stmarysstratford.school.nz www.stmarysstratford.school.nz