Getting ready for your first day at St Mary’s College?
Here’s everything new families need to know.
Student & Parent Portal
Students and parents can access information such as timetables, academic records, attendance, and a calendar of events through the St Mary’s College KAMAR Portal. Login details are issued at the start of the school year – if you have trouble logging on, please email [email protected] with your daughter’s name and Form Class. Parent logins also give access to fee statements and school reports.
Families also use the SchoolBridge app to manage forms, permission letters, and to notify the school of absences, late arrivals, or leave requests – integrated with KAMAR for a paperless experience. The app is available from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Term Dates 2026
- Term 1: Thursday 22 January (Subject Changes, Year 12–13) to Thursday 2 April
- Monday 26 January – Auckland Anniversary Day (School Closed)
- Tuesday 27 January – Year 7, Year 8, Year 13 students, and Year 9 students new to St Mary’s
- Wednesday 28 January – All students
- Friday 6 February – Waitangi Day (School Closed)
- Term 2: Monday 20 April to Friday 3 July
- Term 3: Monday 20 July to Friday 25 September
- Term 4: Monday 12 October (end date TBC)
- NZQA Exams: Tuesday 10 November to Friday 4 December
School Hours
The school day begins at 8.40am (8.35am on Term 1 Mondays) and finishes at 3.05pm for Years 7–9, and 3.10pm for Years 10–13. All students are expected to be in Form Time by 8.35am.
Each Friday, staff undertake Professional Development from 8.15am to 8.50am, and students are required to be at school by 8.45am, ready for classes to start at 8.55am.
Uniform
St Mary’s College has a high level of expectation that all students will wear their uniform with pride. This means wearing the uniform correctly and taking personal presentation seriously. Students are required to wear the correct uniform, in the correct manner, between home and school. This includes a blazer, or school jacket in winter or shirt in the summer. It is expected that the uniform is clean, always ironed and is in good condition. Make-up and nail polish is not allowed.
Chambray blue short-sleeved shirt with school emblem (optional long-sleeved winter version); royal blue school skirt worn just above the knee; navy zip-front cardigan with school emblem (worn at school only); and a royal blue blazer with navy stripe, worn at school events, assemblies and in public.
White short-sleeved shirt with school emblem; royal blue school skirt worn just above the knee (Year 11) or navy full length school skirt (Years 12–13); navy zip-front cardigan (Years 11–12) or red cardigan (Year 13) worn at school only; and a navy blazer worn at school events and in public.
Year 7-11: Plain black leather lace up school shoes in Term 1-4, but in Term 2 & 3 are compulsory (no sport shoes, heels, boots, canvas or beach shoes are allowed). This includes Chucks, Vans or similar).
Sandals: In Terms 1 & 4 students can wear black Roman sandals or “Safari” sandals (without socks).
Year 12-13: Flat plain black leather shoes covered toe without any decoration or ornamentation. No stitching on the shoes other than black. (No sport shoes, boots, heels, canvas or beach shoes are allowed).
Year 7-11: Students may either wear the current fold over, white ankle socks or the short white ankle socks. In Terms 2 & 3 black stockings (not knee highs) may be worn.
Year 12-13: Term 1 & 4 black ankle socks are required. Term 2 & 3 black stockings can be worn.
Royal blue shirt and royal blue PE shorts. Plain sports shoes with non-marking soles and plain white ankle socks. A St Mary’s College sports tracksuit may be worn.
Swimming Cap
A swimming cap is a compulsory item for PE (preferably in the house colour). Students will not gain access to the pool without wearing a cap, which can be purchased from the accounts office.
Swimsuit
Dark coloured, one-piece swimsuit.
Scarf: Plain navy blue or black scarf (optional in winter only);
Jacket: A regulation school jacket/anorak in winter is available (optional);
Umbrella: School umbrella (optional);
Raincoat: Plain, navy-blue raincoat may be worn over the blazer outside in wet weather
Hair which is shoulder length or longer must be tied back. Natural hair colour only. Students may wear plain navy or black ribbons (Year 7-12 Blue and Year 13 red). Narrow blue or black headbands. Elastic hair tie.
One small, metal, stud earring in the lower lobe of each ear. No pearls, diamantes, nose studs or sleepers. A small crucifix or cultural taonga (for example, pounamu or hei tiki) may be worn. No other jewellery to be worn.
Uniform items can be purchased from Prestidges Schoolwear (65 New North Road, Eden Terrace, Auckland; [email protected]; prestidges.co.nz/school-wear, code SM196; Ph. 09 358 1680), or from the St Mary's College Second-Hand Uniform Shop, located in the MK Centre and open Wednesdays during term time (1.20pm–2.30pm for students, after school for parents and students). For second-hand uniform queries, email: [email protected].
Families are asked to clearly name every uniform item and belonging, to help lost property find its way home.
BYOD & Device Requirements
St Mary’s College operates a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programme for Year 8 to Year 13 students, where a limited range of devices are recommended. Information is sent out to new students at these year levels, and Year 8 students – along with any new students at Years 8–13 – need to bring their device on their first day of school for BYOD orientation. Students are required to sign the Cyber Safety Policy, which outlines how to be a good digital citizen of St Mary’s College.
Transport
St Mary’s College is conveniently located at 11 New Street, Ponsonby, with a range of transport options for students travelling from across Auckland, including dedicated school bus services operated by Coachways NZ, Kiwi Coaches, NZ Bus/Auckland Transport, and Prestige Transport, as well as ferries and trains via Auckland Transport. Please note St Mary’s College does not hold a formal contract with these bus companies – travel arrangements are a commercial matter between families and the operator.
For road safety, students are asked to use the patrolled kea crossing on New Street, avoid the main driveway and staff carpark, and not be picked up or dropped off on yellow lines.
Stationery
All stationery and workbook requirements for the new school year are listed on the OfficeMax MySchool website select St Mary’s College, Ponsonby, then “view requirements list”. The list typically goes live in early January, and OfficeMax MySchool offers a convenient online ordering and delivery service.