Samuel Marsden Collegiate School
Composite · Private : Fully Registered
- Year levels
- not reported
- Total roll
- 391
- Enrolment zone
- No
- Gender
- Girls School
Where is it, and how do I get in touch?
- Address
- Marsden Avenue, Karori, Wellington
- Territorial authority
- Wellington City
- Phone
- 04-4768707
- enrol@marsden.school.nz
- Website
- http://www.marsden.school.nz
- Directions
- Get directions
Other schools nearby: schools in Wellington · schools in Wellington Region
What would the day look like?
The practical things this school states on its own website — the hours, the uniform, the term dates, and how children get there. These are the school’s own words, not the Ministry’s record and not ERO’s.
Quoted from this school’s own website, as we read it on 13 August 2026. A web page carries no date of its own, so that is the day we read it — not a statement that any of this is still the case. Each line quotes the words it came from.
- Getting there
- Metlink operates several Marsden-only school bus services from suburbs across the city, all arriving and departing from the Vera Street entrance; the privately operated Hutt Link connects Lower Hutt and Eastbourne via Hutt Central, Petone, Thorndon and Wellington Railway Station to Karori
Students from across the Greater Wellington region travel to Marsden each day. Metlink operates several Marsden-only school bus services from suburbs across the city, with all buses arriving and departing from the Vera Street entrance. These services are paid for using Snapper cards. Our privately operated Hutt Link provides a direct connection for families travelling from Lower Hutt and Eastbourne. The service travels through Hutt Central, Petone, Thorndon and Wellington Railway Station before heading to Karori, making it an easy and reliable option for students living along this corridor.
- Metlink operates several Marsden-only school bus services from suburbs across the city, all arriving and departing from the Vera Street entrance; the privately operated Hutt Link connects Lower Hutt and Eastbourne via Hutt Central, Petone, Thorndon and Wellington Railway Station to Karori
What does the school say about itself?
Quoted, not summarised. Every school describes itself well, so this is here to be read as the school’s own case rather than as a finding — and a school that states nothing simply has no row.
Quoted from this school’s own website, as we read it on 13 August 2026. A web page carries no date of its own, so that is the day we read it — not a statement that any of this is still the case. Each line quotes the words it came from.
- International students
- Accepted, as stated
International students meet fortnightly as a group with our Dean of International Students to learn more about integrating into the New Zealand culture and get support for any questions they have about their learning, or life outside of school.
- Accepted, as stated
What is on offer beyond the classroom?
The sports, arts, clubs and groups this school names on its own website. Not a complete list of what any school offers, and not a count — a school that names more here has written more down, which is not the same as doing more.
Quoted from this school’s own website, as we read it on 13 August 2026. A web page carries no date of its own, so that is the day we read it — not a statement that any of this is still the case. Each line quotes the words it came from.
- On offer
- William Pike Challenge
- Get2Go Challenge
- Get2Go Challenge
- Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award
- Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award - Community projects and service initiatives
- football
We offer a diverse range of over 20 sports, such as football, cricket, netball, shooting, rowing, hockey, lacrosse and orienteering.
- cricket
We offer a diverse range of over 20 sports, such as football, cricket, netball, shooting, rowing, hockey, lacrosse and orienteering.
- netball
We offer a diverse range of over 20 sports, such as football, cricket, netball, shooting, rowing, hockey, lacrosse and orienteering.
- shooting
We offer a diverse range of over 20 sports, such as football, cricket, netball, shooting, rowing, hockey, lacrosse and orienteering.
- rowing
We offer a diverse range of over 20 sports, such as football, cricket, netball, shooting, rowing, hockey, lacrosse and orienteering.
- hockey
We offer a diverse range of over 20 sports, such as football, cricket, netball, shooting, rowing, hockey, lacrosse and orienteering.
- lacrosse
We offer a diverse range of over 20 sports, such as football, cricket, netball, shooting, rowing, hockey, lacrosse and orienteering.
- orienteering
We offer a diverse range of over 20 sports, such as football, cricket, netball, shooting, rowing, hockey, lacrosse and orienteering.
- athletics
Three annual schoolwide sporting events involve our whole school community - athletics, cross country and swimming.
- cross country
Three annual schoolwide sporting events involve our whole school community - athletics, cross country and swimming.
- swimming
Three annual schoolwide sporting events involve our whole school community - athletics, cross country and swimming.
- futsal
Marsden Primary students can join our school teams in a range of sports, including netball, hockey, futsal, floorball, miniball and tennis lessons.
- floorball
Marsden Primary students can join our school teams in a range of sports, including netball, hockey, futsal, floorball, miniball and tennis lessons.
- miniball
Marsden Primary students can join our school teams in a range of sports, including netball, hockey, futsal, floorball, miniball and tennis lessons.
- tennis lessons
Marsden Primary students can join our school teams in a range of sports, including netball, hockey, futsal, floorball, miniball and tennis lessons.
- inter-house sports events
House spirit is evident at inter-house sports events where competing chants ring out across our sports field.
- Marsden Junior Underwater Hockey team
our Marsden Junior Underwater Hockey team crowned National Champions
- choirs
We have choirs, orchestras, rock bands, flute ensembles and handbell ringing
- orchestras
We have choirs, orchestras, rock bands, flute ensembles and handbell ringing
- rock bands
We have choirs, orchestras, rock bands, flute ensembles and handbell ringing
- flute ensembles
We have choirs, orchestras, rock bands, flute ensembles and handbell ringing
- handbell ringing
We have choirs, orchestras, rock bands, flute ensembles and handbell ringing
- private tuition
Specialist teachers are available during the school day for students to have [private tuition](http://www.marsden.school.nz/our-schools/cocurricular/arts/private-music-tuition/) in the instrument of their choice.
- Composer-in-Residence programme
Our Composer-in-Residence programme gives music students the very real opportunity to experience a composer at work.
- Swainson Memorial Competition
The Swainson Memorial Competition is a musical highlight where girls compete for the prestigious Nell Clere Music Scholarship
- School Production
We encourage our students to join the School Production.
- Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival
There are opportunities to perform in the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival (including performance, music composition, poster design, and static image competitions), Kapa haka, debating, or take Speech and Drama lessons from our specialist tutors.
- Kapa haka
There are opportunities to perform in the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival (including performance, music composition, poster design, and static image competitions), Kapa haka, debating, or take Speech and Drama lessons from our specialist tutors.
- debating
There are opportunities to perform in the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival (including performance, music composition, poster design, and static image competitions), Kapa haka, debating, or take Speech and Drama lessons from our specialist tutors.
- Speech and Drama lessons
There are opportunities to perform in the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival (including performance, music composition, poster design, and static image competitions), Kapa haka, debating, or take Speech and Drama lessons from our specialist tutors.
- Jennifer Evans Dance Academy
Marsden is excited to team up with the Jennifer Evans Dance Academy, a boutique Dance Academy with classes in Classical Ballet, Modern Jazz, Tap and Hip-Hop.
Who goes here?
Ethnicity breakdown of the total roll, shown as context. Not ranked, and not compared against any average.
- European
- 270
- Māori
- 15
- Pacific
- 6
- Asian
- 119
- MELAA
- 7
- Other
- 7
- International
- 7
Roll by year level and age
Shown as context, not ranked, not compared to any average. As at 30 June 2026, from the same annual return as the roll count above.
| Māori | Pacific | Asian | MELAA | Other | European/ Pākehā | International students | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 01 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
| Year 02 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Year 03 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 12 |
| Year 04 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 11 |
| Year 05 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 9 |
| Year 06 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 27 |
| Year 07 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 21 | 0 | 37 |
| Year 08 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 37 | 1 | 53 |
| Year 09 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 33 | 0 | 47 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 46 | 0 | 63 |
| Year 11 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 37 | 2 | 59 |
| Year 12 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 31 | 4 | 44 |
| Year 13+ | 3 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 27 | 1 | 40 |
| Total | 18 | 6 | 109 | 3 | 14 | 276 | 9 | 416 |
| Māori | Pacific | Asian | MELAA | Other | European/ Pākehā | International students | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age 05 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
| Age 06 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| Age 07 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 12 |
| Age 08 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 12 |
| Age 09 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 9 |
| Age 10 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 23 |
| Age 11 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 34 |
| Age 12 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 35 | 0 | 47 |
| Age 13 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 37 | 1 | 55 |
| Age 14 | 4 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 40 | 0 | 58 |
| Age 15 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 62 |
| Age 16 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 29 | 5 | 44 |
| Age 17 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 31 | 0 | 42 |
| Age 18 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Age 19+ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 18 | 6 | 109 | 3 | 14 | 276 | 9 | 416 |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0
Academic results
Percentage with NCEA level 1 or above — 2025
100%
| Samuel Marsden Collegiate School | 100% |
|---|---|
| Wellington Region | 90.8% |
| Composite (Year 1-15) | 91.4% |
| Private: Fully Reg. | 96.8% |
| New Zealand | 85.2% |
Trend and demographic breakdown
| Female | 100% |
|---|---|
| Male | Not applicable |
| Māori | Too few to report |
| Pacific | Too few to report |
| Asian | 100% |
| MELAA | Not applicable |
| Other | Too few to report |
| European/Pākehā | 100% |
| Total | 100% |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 2: Comparison NCEA level 1 data (2023-2025)
Percentage with NCEA level 2 or above — 2025
95%
| Samuel Marsden Collegiate School | 95% |
|---|---|
| Wellington Region | 85.3% |
| Composite (Year 1-15) | 86% |
| Private: Fully Reg. | 95% |
| New Zealand | 77.8% |
Trend and demographic breakdown
| Female | 95% |
|---|---|
| Male | Not applicable |
| Māori | Too few to report |
| Pacific | Too few to report |
| Asian | 100% |
| MELAA | Not applicable |
| Other | Too few to report |
| European/Pākehā | 93.1% |
| Total | 95% |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 2: Comparison NCEA level 2 data (2023-2025)
Percentage with NCEA level 3 or above — 2025
92.5%
| Samuel Marsden Collegiate School | 92.5% |
|---|---|
| Wellington Region | 68.6% |
| Composite (Year 1-15) | 71.7% |
| Private: Fully Reg. | 88.7% |
| New Zealand | 59% |
Trend and demographic breakdown
| Female | 92.5% |
|---|---|
| Male | Not applicable |
| Māori | Too few to report |
| Pacific | Too few to report |
| Asian | 100% |
| MELAA | Not applicable |
| Other | Too few to report |
| European/Pākehā | 89.7% |
| Total | 92.5% |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 2: Comparison NCEA level 3 data (2023-2025)
Percentage with VP Award — 2025
27.5%
| Samuel Marsden Collegiate School | 27.5% |
|---|---|
| Wellington Region | 12.5% |
| Composite (Year 1-15) | 16% |
| Private: Fully Reg. | 12.1% |
| New Zealand | 14.1% |
Trend and demographic breakdown
| Female | 27.5% |
|---|---|
| Male | Not applicable |
| Māori | Too few to report |
| Pacific | Too few to report |
| Asian | 57.1% |
| MELAA | Not applicable |
| Other | Too few to report |
| European/Pākehā | 20.7% |
| Total | 27.5% |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 2: Comparison Vocational Pathway data (2023-2025)
Retention
Percentage staying until at least 17th birthday — 2025
95%
| Samuel Marsden Collegiate School | 95% |
|---|---|
| Wellington Region | 88.7% |
| Composite (Year 1-15) | 86.6% |
| Private: Fully Reg. | 95% |
| New Zealand | 83% |
Trend and demographic breakdown
| Female | 95% |
|---|---|
| Male | Not applicable |
| Māori | Too few to report |
| Pacific | Too few to report |
| Asian | 100% |
| MELAA | Not applicable |
| Other | Too few to report |
| European/Pākehā | 93.1% |
| Total | 95% |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 2: Comparison trend data (2023-2025)
— 2024
not reported
| Female | not reported |
|---|---|
| Male | not reported |
| Māori | not reported |
| Pacific | not reported |
| Asian | not reported |
| MELAA | not reported |
| Other | not reported |
| European/Pākehā | not reported |
| Total | not reported |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 1: School leavers enrolled in tertiary education one year after leaving school (2022-2024 leaver cohorts)
— 2023
not reported
| Female | not reported |
|---|---|
| Male | not reported |
| Māori | not reported |
| Pacific | not reported |
| Asian | not reported |
| MELAA | not reported |
| Other | not reported |
| European/Pākehā | not reported |
| Total | not reported |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 2: School leavers enrolled in tertiary education two years after leaving school (2021-2023 leaver cohorts)
— 2024
not reported
| Female | not reported |
|---|---|
| Male | not reported |
| Māori | not reported |
| Pacific | not reported |
| Asian | not reported |
| MELAA | not reported |
| Other | not reported |
| European/Pākehā | not reported |
| Total | not reported |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 1: School leavers enrolled in tertiary education one year after leaving school (2022-2024 leaver cohorts)
— 2023
not reported
| Female | not reported |
|---|---|
| Male | not reported |
| Māori | not reported |
| Pacific | not reported |
| Asian | not reported |
| MELAA | not reported |
| Other | not reported |
| European/Pākehā | not reported |
| Total | not reported |
Source: Education Counts, Ministry of Education, CC BY 4.0 — Table 2: School leavers enrolled in tertiary education two years after leaving school (2021-2023 leaver cohorts)
About the school
- Equity Index (EQI)
- not applicable
- Boarding
- No
- Language of instruction
- All students taught in English/other setting
- Urban / rural
- Major urban area
- Date opened
- 31 January 1878
The Equity Index is used by the Ministry to allocate equity funding. It describes the socio-economic barriers a school’s students face, not how good the school is. How the Equity Index works
What did ERO find?
The Education Review Office reviews every school and publishes what it finds in full. We quote ERO’s report here, section by section, in ERO’s own words and order, and link to it. We do not summarise a report, pick a line out of one, or turn one into a score. How ERO reviews schools
- Reports ERO holds
- 2
- Last reviewed
- 25 February 2026
- Latest report
- Samuel Marsden Collegiate School February 2026
- Report type
- not reported
- Board assurance
- not reported
What this report states about the school
As stated in ERO’s report of 25 February 2026 — not necessarily the position now. Each line quotes the sentence it came from.
- International students
- true
The school is a signatory provider to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021
- true
Read the full report on ero.govt.nz →
All 2 reports ERO holds for this school
ERO reviews a school every few years — around four years between reviews is the usual cycle — so an older date here reflects where a school sits in that cycle, not how it is doing.
Source: Education Review Office, CC BY 4.0.
Roll date: 30 June 2026 (2026).