Greetings from the Board of Trustees of St Mary's College.

Our mission: the Mercy tradition of love in action

St Mary's College mission is to provide a Catholic education in the Mercy tradition of love in action, and to prepare students for their role as Christian women in a changing world. The Board of Trustees, as the College's governing body, is committed to promoting the Mercy values of social justice, compassion for others, and the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of school life.

An effective learning environment

We are responsible to the Government and to our school community for ensuring that St Mary's College provides a safe, healthy, and effective learning environment. We have high expectations for all of our students. We endeavour to provide a learning environment which reflects our country's cultural diversity and recognises the unique position of Tangata Whenua. We teach and encourage our students to care for the environment.

Representative of the school community

The members of the Board listed below reflect the makeup of our school community – senior management, staff, students, parents and caregivers, past pupils, and the Sisters of Mercy who own the school.

Subcommittees meet regularly

The Board also operates several subcommittees – Finance, Property, Special Character, Policies, Charter, Personnel, Appointments, Health and Safety – that meet regularly to deal with issues that come within their specific focus. They report to the full Board.

Bring your ideas and feedback

The Board meets once a month. All parents, caregivers and visitors are most welcome. We value ideas, input, feedback, and welcome suggestions, comments, or questions. You may contact the Board by writing to the Chairperson at the school address:

St Mary's College
P.O. Box 47003
Ponsonby, Auckland 1144

Our Board of Trustees for 2026 are:

Sarah Dwan Principal
Ayn Benitez Parent Trustee
Billy Hadnett Parent Trustee
Sinead Hart Parent Trustee
Linalara Schmdt-Vaipuna Parent Trustee
Susan Smith Parent Trustee
Craig Williams Parnet Trustee
Maria Green Staff Representative 
Hannah van Schie Proprietor's Trustee
Sam Errington Proprietor's Trustee
Hannah Alexander Proprietor's Trustee
Miss Genevieve Kirby-Swain Student Representative 
tba Secretary 

 

2026 Meeting Dates

24 February 2026

24 March 2026

28 April 2026

26 May 2026

23 June 2026

28 July 2026

25 August 2026

22 September 2026

27 October 2026

24 November 2026

 

Contact us

Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions, comments or feedback.

Board of directors HD LWSt Mary’s College was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1850, and today the Sisters proudly retain ownership of the College. Their interests are represented by the BOD of St Mary’s College Auckland Limited, which is responsible for the College land and buildings, and for maintaining and preserving its Special Character.

Working collaboratively

The BOD work closely with the BOT, which has operational management for the day-to-day running of the College. The BOD work closely with the School Principal as welll as teaching and support staff.

The BOD are delighted with the way in which the College is growing and the wonderful achievements being obtained academically and in the areas of music and sport.

Contact us

Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to get in touch if you have any questions, comments or feedback.

A Building and Development Programme

To meet the urgent demand for expanded facilities, the BOD developed a Ten-Year Building and Development Programme in 2003.
Stages 1 Science 2through 7 have now been successfully completed. 

These included:

  • New classroom blocks
  • Library
  • Staffroom complex
  • Technology facilities
  • Renovation of the Administration Block
  • Student cafeteria and meeting room
  • Religious Education Faculty
  • Art Faculty
  • Student Services such as Careers and Counselling areas
  • Paul Keane Gymnasium
  • Dance Studio
  • Refurbishment and heating of the swimming pool
  • New kitchen
  • Additional car parking facilitiesPK
  • A new Science Centre (2017)
  • A new English Centre (2019)

Future focused

The BOD are committed to providing facilities to ensure that the future growth of the College is provided for, and is most grateful for the support received from parents and friends of the College in recent years to assist us to achieve our goals. 

Support for a tradition of excellence

With continued support from friends, parents and the wider community, the BOD can implement its growth and development strategy. This will ensure that the long-held traditions of Excellence and Mercy at St. Mary’s College are maintained for current and future generations.

Information about fees and donations from the Ministry of Education is included below.

MOE Flowchart Fees and Donations in Schools March 2015 

Board of Directors Members 

Mr Arjen van Helsdingen       Chairperson 
Mrs Shyrelle MItchell Deputy Chairperson
Ms Sarah Dwan Principal
Mrs Katie Bhreatnach Director
Mr Grant Fraser Director
Mr Frank Godinet Director
Mr Jason McLennan Director
Sr Mary Neven Director
Mr Patrick Ryan Director
Mr Roly Smoldon Director
Mr Chris Thom Director

2026 Meeting Dates

28 January 2026

11 March 2026

15 April 2026

13 May 2026

17 June 2026

22 July 2026

12 August 2026

16 September 2026

21 October 2026

18 November 2026

 

NB. Meetings begin at 5.30pm

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We would like to thank everyone who came along to our Open Day sessions on 6 March. We also thank our wonderful students and staff who worked hard to make this a great day for all visitors.

We had hundreds of people turn out for the two sessions of the event, and our senior students and staff provided enjoyable interactive guided tours around our facilities for prospective students and their families.

If you missed out on the event, don't worry, you can still get in touch or click here to view our prospectus.

We invite you to consider the many benefits of a Catholic education in the Mercy tradition at St Mary’s College.

For more information please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or ph one (09) 376 6568.

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