We are again very proud of the academic results achieved by our students in 2024. NZQA data shows that St Mary's College students consistently perform well above the national average for all New Zealand schools, including other girls' schools.
 
In 2024, our achievement rates for Level 1 was above 90% and Levels 2 and Level 3 were above 95%. At Level 2 and 3 over 75% of students achieved their respective qualifications with a Merit or Excellence Endorsement. Our Māori and Pasifika achievement is also very high.
 
The graphs below are generated by NZQA at the beginning of February and show St Mary's academic results (blue) compared with the national rates (red) and schools with a similar equity index rating (green). It can be interesting to see how results may be interpreted so we make sure we share our data directly from NZQA.

This is not just applicable to 2024, this level of academic achievement is consistent as is illustrated in the graphs. You will see that a consistent level of achievement has been maintained across the COVID period. 
 
Another interesting statistic is the continued success of St Mary's College students in Religious Studies Scholarship. 2020 was the first year that Religious Studies was offered as a Scholarship subject. Scholarship is a separate examination to stretch and challenge students. There were 67 Religious Studies Scholarships awarded throughout New Zealand, six of these went to students from St Mary's College. What is also impressive is that 67% of students at St Mary's who attempted this examination, were successful. We have continued to experience success in Scholarship since 2020, including an Outstanding Scholarship (top 1% of New Zealand) in 2021. In 2023 and 2024, 6% of the Scholarships awarded in New Zealand went to St Mary's College students.
 
We are well placed to make the change to the new NCEA standards, as can be seen in the Level 1 achievement. All Year 10 students had the opportunity to sit the Literacy and Numeracy Co-Requisite requirements. Again, our levels of achievement are over 80% for each paper. 
 
These outstanding academic results reflect the high standards of our students and staff. Teachers and Deans know each student, their story and work with them to achieve their goals. Achieving is part of the St Mary's culture. Students are guided and supported to achieve to their potential. Our smaller class numbers are an advantage to both students and staff who enjoy close working relationships with their students. St Mary's College teachers are specialists in their fields,  and students are taught by these specialists right from Year 7, which does make a difference.

In 2024 21 NZQA Scholarships were achieved in Religious Education, English, Music, Biology, Economics, Health and Physical Education and Spanish. One student achieved three Scholarships, which makes her an Outstanding Scholar. Of note is the number of our Year 11 and 12 students who are achieving Scholarship. In 2024 nine Scholarships were achieved by six Year 12 and oone Year 11 student.  

Achieving is not just about success at the Scholarship level, it is about students stretching and challenging themselves to achieve to their full potential or demonstrating our 2024 Mercy Value Panekiretanga/Excellence. Some of the best anecdotes that we have heard are about students who worked really hard to achieve their NCEA certificates and were so pleased when they did. Each person is on their own path, which is something that we respect here at St Mary's College.
 
St Mary's College is about excellence in more than academic results. Our aim is for students to leave the College as 21st Century Women of Mercy. This can be seen in contributions made back to the community, service, leadership and participation in a wide variety of activities. At the end of 2024 this was recognised by over $400,000 worth of Tertiary and other Scholarships being offered to our senior students.
 
Scholarships Awarded included those from:

• Robert Ned Covich Scholarship
• First Foundation  
• Auckland University
• Auckland University of Technology
• Massey University
• Otago University
• University of Canterbury
• University of Waikato
• Victoria University Wellington

 
Congratulations to all students and staff on the 2024 results. We are looking forward to seeing what students achieve in 2025!

Feeling nostalgic? Want to reconnect with old classmates or teachers and relive moments from your glory days at St Mary’s College?

We have now created a new Alumni-specific Facebook page for our special past students and staff, and we want to hear from everyone who has had involvement with the school over the years. Whether you were here for one year or seven, you have helped shape St Mary’s College into the amazing school it is today.

By creating this page, we plan to bring our SMC community together. We hope to provide networking and linking opportunities, and bring engagement events to you in the future. We welcome any stories, photos or memories you wish to share.

Please click here to visit our page or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

We are also creating a database where we can send you news and event invites, please click here to complete the form to be added to our database.

Keep in touch!

ReliefAid is a kiwi charity delivering emergency aid to people affected by conflict. Working in war zones across the globe, their humanitarian action has included the delivery of life-saving shelter and education aid to over 145,000 people forced from their homes by fighting in Syria.

St Mary’s College has been working with ReliefAid since 2017, helping families and kids driven into camps by a war that has left them homeless, physically and emotionally scarred without the basics needed to survive the harsh living conditions.

BounceBack4Syria

We are proud to support ReliefAid and their project - 'BounceBack4Syria'. This project is aimed at raising funds to improve children's wellbeing and boost their resilience through game-playing and sports activities to support their development. 

When families fled their homes due to war, they were only able to take essentials. This project raises funds for ReliefAid to provide eqiupment for children in displacement camps. Please click here to help St Mary's College support the wonderful work of ReliefAid.

ReliefAid relies solely on private donations. It does not receive any funding from governmental sources and is a registered charity with the NZ Charities Commission.

For more information about ReliefAid’s work please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Bernadette Stockman (Education Manager).