Student support at St Mary’s College reflects the Mercy Spirit of being caring and kind to each other.  There are school guidance counsellors and an international ambassador programme designed to integrate international students into the St Mary’s school life. Each international student gets the support and friendship of St Mary’s students in their classes and throughout their stay at the school, especially when they first start.

Students are guaranteed individual attention, as classes are small. In addition, tutorial and homework groups are provided to support student learning. Students also have access to English language support through the ESL Department. Besides small classes and a supportive environment, students have the benefit of excellent up-to-date facilities.

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Careers Advisor – to help you plan for the future

The Careers Advisor is available by appointment for all students to discuss career planning. Please contact Judith Adams on (09) 376 6568 extension 726 or email

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Nurse – when you are not well (available daily from 9am - 4pm)

Students who report sick or injured to the School Office are cared for by the administrative staff or nurse. If they are unable to return to class, a receptionist or the Nurse will call the parent or homestay parent to have the student collected and taken home.

Buddies on arrival and International Ambassador Programme

On the student’s first day they will meet their teachers and be assigned a ‘buddy’ to help them settle into classes and find their way around the school.  All buddies are part of an international Ambassador programme where they help integrate the students into school life and introduce them to sports, clubs and extra-curricular activities.

Each term the students of other Catholic school get together to socialise and have fun.

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Code of practice and resolving grievances or complaints

When an international student comes to New Zealand to study, education providers have a responsibility to ensure that they are well informed, safe and properly cared for. In New Zealand this is called ‘pastoral care’ and to support this, the New Zealand Government has developed the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016.

From 1 July 2016 there has been significant changes to the Code of Practice and a new dispute resolution scheme has been introduced.  Both these documents regulate the care and support of your daughter or student you are representing whilst she is studying at St Mary’s College. 

Please click here to view the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 1 July 2016 (which replaces the existing Code of Practice), and a new International Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme (DRS) which has been established to resolve contractual and financial disputes between international students and education providers. Please click here for information.

Please be assured that St Mary’s College upholds and supports the Code of Practice, however, if for any reason you have concerns about your daughter’s treatment by the school or by one of the school’s agents, your first step is to talk to the school’s International Director, Mrs Sue King, and if your concerns are not resolved by the school you can contact the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), who will process your complaint through the DRS scheme.  The website address is above or, for more information on the complaint process, you can contact NZQA on 0800 697 296.

It is the Agent’s responsibility to obtain a copy of the Code of Practice (Code) and the Dispute Resolution Scheme (DRS) and understand it.

For more information please click here

Why Study in New Zealand?

We celebrate cultural richness at many special events such as Mercy Day and International Day. 

Visit Auckland

St Mary’s College is in Ponsonby – view this video to find out more:

Homestay families wanted

Can you host an International Student?

St Mary’s College is looking for caring families to host our school’s international students. 

Ideally we aim for our students to be able to commute to and from school using one of our school buses or, even better, live within our community and walk to school.

We have a number of students visiting our school needing accommodation, including three meals a day. Their stays range from two weeks, to a term or a full school year. A reimbursement of $390 per week is offered.

If you can host a student (short or long-term) we would love to hear from you. Please feel free to pass this information onto other families who may be interested in becoming part of our homestay programme.

Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information or phone Alice Caiger on 0204 060 5024 for a current information pack.  

Thank you, we look forward to hearing from you.

 

ESL

ESL support for our International Students

(English as a second language)

Most second language learners need some support, from beginners to students who are working towards University Entrance. The ESL Department’s role is to provide programmes to meet these learners’ needs, providing language and curriculum support.

At St Mary’s College we recognise each student as unique and special. As such, our ESL classes are small and individualised. In this way, students can get all the targeted support they need in a caring environment. 

Prior to arrival, and then on arrival, students from second language backgrounds are tested to determine their language learning needs. Then they are placed in an appropriate ESL programme. Programmes are flexible and are based on students’ learning needs. However, generally there are three options available:

ESL 1 – Junior ESL

This class is for junior and short-term students who are at a pre-intermediate level or below. Students learn language through a series of units such as ‘Getting to know New Zealand’, ‘The Natural Environment’ and ‘Many Cultures’. These units introduce the students to the New Zealand curriculum. Junior students are withdrawn from their mainstream classes to attend lessons.

ESL 2 – Working towards NCEA

This class is for senior students who are ready to do academic work and are working towards NCEA Level 1. The students learn English and are offered some NCEA assessments. The aim is to support the students’ language learning and teach them the skills they need for University Entrance Literacy assessments the following year.

ESL 3 – Academic English

This class is for Year 12 and 13 students who are working towards University Entrance in their Level 2 English class. The aim is to support the students with their learning and allow them additional time to complete their English standards. If students have a sufficiently advanced level of English, they may be offered Academic English Language Standards.


St Mary's College welcomes enrolment enquiries from International Students

 

International Student Fees 2025

Student Subject & Options 2025

Terms and Conditions 2025


Refund Policy

 

How to enrol at St Mary's College

Application Procedure

Students who wish to apply for Years 11, 12 or 13 must be at pre-intermediate English level. All students will be assessed individually.

It is reccommended that students under 14 years need to live with a parent or guardian, the International Director will review each student's circumstances and assess the circumstances of their living arrangements. Please click here for Application Procedure information.

Enrolment / Acceptance Procedure

After an online placement test and interview (using Microsoft TEAMS), the school will notify the agent/family if the student has successfully met the English requirement and invite them to proceed with the student's application.

Please ensure the following is included in the student's application:

  • Self-introduction of student to homestay/buddy (including photos)
  • Subjects and option selection
  • Page of handwriting. We like to know about the student’s family, friends, favourite subjects and things that they like doing as well as her future ambitions.

Further testing and writing may be required once the student starts school to check the validity of her writing and level of English. The school reserves the right to change year level throughout enrolment in consultation with students and families.

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Programme

Every student needs to bring a Windows device that has English Windows 10 capability for Office 365. When the student arrives, we will install Office Pro Plus 365 on their device. This includes OneNote which is the pIatform for the student’s E-learning and where they make all their class notes. If the device is not properly configured and we can’t get the student connected it will affect their learning and a new device may need to be sourced. Click here for our recommended device.


Any enquiries please contact:

Sue King
International Student Director
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: +64 9 376 6568 ext 817
Mob: +64 21 157 8776

Applying for a Student Visa

There are two types of Visa’s available for a student studying at our school.  

ONE YEAR VISA or PATHWAY VISA for more than one year and up to five.

For a PATHWAY VISA the parents need to provide bank statements to show they have enough income to support their daughter for the current year AND the ability to pay the remaining years (approx. $20,000 each year) through bank statements showing investment income or regular employment income. 

St Mary's College can assist with the online application for either visa at a cost of $50 per Student Visa and $100 per Parent/Guardian Visa (Visitor).

All applications for a  Student Visa or Parent Living with their Daughter (Visitor Visa with Guardian status) are online through the New Zealand Immigration Service.

Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for assistance and the latest information.

Immigration matters

All international students must hold a valid visa to study in New Zealand, and adhere to their visa conditions. Visit the Immigration New Zealand website for more information on visas.