Life at St Paul’s

In 1831, Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote:

"If men could learn from history, what lessons it might teach us! But ..... the light which experience gives us is a lantern on the stern, which shines only on the waves behind us."

At St Paul's Collegiate we believe in using the lessons of history to light the way ahead. The School has taken the strengths of the past and placed them in a modern and forward looking setting, to prepare today's young people for their place in tomorrow's world. St Paul's heritage of success demonstrates that caring and supportive conditions bring out the best in people. To this end, the School provides an orderly, safe, non-threatening environment in which students can face their daily challenges and develop to their full potential.

All day and boarding students are fully engaged in the life of the School and their contribution is carefully monitored to help develop a sense of mutual trust and achievement. The routine requirements of academic and School life, combined with the wide range of pursuits and activities available to students, means that the school day at St Paul's begins early and often ends late. This strong student commitment contributes to the sense of shared responsibility which is the key concept at St Paul's. The School's carefully structured environment and support network helps individual students to meet the expectations of the School, their peers and their family.

St Paul's House System

Central to the structure of the School is the House system. All students belong to one of nine Houses in the School – four boarding and five day Houses. Each House is an extended family of staff and students, who share the bonds of duty, loyalty and friendship. Students normally remain in the same House throughout their time at St Paul's Collegiate, as it becomes the focus of their social and support network.

Through the House system the School provides a "home" for every student – a place where they can access the support and guidance of teachers and their peers.

The Student Centre

The five day-students' Houses are located in the Student Centre, – the Turangawaewae or 'place to stand' – giving day students  a base in which they have the opportunity to take time out from their daily commitments and be in a place they can call their own. The Centre also features the Careers Advisory Centre, and the School Shop where you can purchase the school uniform, all gear needed for Tihoi, stationery and convenience goods.