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Below are answers to the questions that we are most frequently asked.
If you cannot find the answer to a question you may have, please contact Admissions, who will be happy to help with your query.
Admissions phone 09 577 0703 or email skc_admissions@saintkentigern.com
Making the decision about where your child should be educated is an important decision. Parents have the right to choose the schooling that best meets the needs of their child, and an independent education provides that choice. With no zoning, families are able to choose where they would like to live and where they would like to send their children to school.
The main advantages of an independent education come from the school's high level of autonomy, better governance, and a competitive drive on its part to provide quality education and facilities in return for tuition fees.
Saint Kentigern College expects the best from both its staff and students and believes in holding ourselves accountable to our parents. Our class sizes are generally smaller, further split into smaller Tutor Groups for meaningful and personal pastoral care.
Each independent school has its own special character. Saint Kentigern College is underpinned by a strong Scottish heritage, Christian values aligned to its Presbyterian heritage, innovative teaching, modern facilities, and the option of two qualification pathways for senior students: The New Zealand Qualification NCEA or the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
The main intake years at the College are Years 7 and 9 for both boys and girls, with limited availability at other year levels.
The College roll is generally full at the start of each academic year; however, there is sometimes movement in the roll over the summer break, which may result in a few places becoming available.
We recommend that applications be received 18 months in advance of the entry year. Please note that we always have many more applications than places available, so we encourage families to plan ahead to ensure that they secure a place for their child.
An application may be submitted up to three years ahead of entry.
Our roll is generally full at the start of each academic year; however, there may be spaces available. Our Admissions team can let you know if there is a space available and guide you through the process.
Please note that it is preferred that we do not enrol students’ mid-year as much of the curriculum is taught in Terms 1 and 2, and a new student can be disruptive for current students and teaching staff. And makes their own transition more challenging.
Step 1:
Complete the online application form and submit with the Application Fee ($300 incl. GST).
The Application Fee covers the costs of considering the application and is non-refundable.
Step 2:
Following receipt of your application, you and your child may be invited for a 30-minute enrolment interview in an informal and friendly setting.
Please note that as we receive more applications than places available, not every student will be offered an interview and may be placed in the wait pool.
Step 3:
Should the interview be successful, you will receive a written offer of a place for your child.
This is usually sent within one week of the interview. To secure this place, an Enrolment Agreement must be signed (by both parents or caregivers) and returned along with the Acceptance Fee ($500 incl GST), Association Fee ($575 incl GST), and Contribution Levy ($1500 incl GST). All fees are non-refundable.
Saint Kentigern College Online Enrolment Application
Attendance Costs at Saint Kentigern College (NZ Citizens and Permanent Residents)
Attendance Costs at Saint Kentigern College (International Students)
We encourage all our students to "be the best that they can be." Your child does not have to be a "top academic," but they must have good all-around ability and be prepared to fully commit to all endeavours while at the College.
In addition to their academic studies, they will be expected to contribute to the wider life of the College in areas such as Sports, Performing Arts, Service, and Leadership.
After students have been accepted, they will be invited to attend a New Entrant Orientation Day held at the beginning of November. On this day, students will meet with members of the Senior Leadership team and Head of Houses to discuss expectations and ensure a smooth transition to the College.
Students will also sit English, Mathematics, and Reasoning tests. The tests are to give our teaching staff an understanding of your child's academic level and skills to assist with class placement. For students entering Year 7, these tests will assist with their class placement upon starting at the College. For students entering Year 9, the results are used to stream some of the core classes.
Interviews for families with students currently at the College will take place in Term 4, 15 months prior to the entry year. For all other families interviews will be scheduled in Term 1 or 2 of the year prior to entry.
Please note that as we receive more applications than places available, not every student will be offered an interview and may be placed in the wait pool.
Scholarships are available and awarded for those who would not otherwise be able to attend the College. For applicants who:
Scholarships are awarded from the beginning of Years 9, 10, or 11 and are for the duration of the student’s schooling. All scholarships are subject to annual review; continuation is dependent on the student’s academic performance, attitude, and contribution to the overall life of the College.
All scholarship candidates applying for a scholarship may be invited to sit academic testing, attend an audition, and/or participate in a sports trial.
What are the types of Scholarships?
Academic, Performing Arts, Sport, or All Rounder Scholarships
These Scholarships are available for students who demonstrate an outstanding attitude and excellent in one or more areas of academics, sports, and performing arts and/or a combination of these, i.e., all-round talent.
Old Collegians Scholarships:
This is a gift from the Saint Kentigern Old Collegians Association. The recipient must be a child of an Old Collegian or have a strong family connection to an Old Collegian. Preference is given to those who are new enrolments and would otherwise not be able to attend Saint Kentigern College.
Boarding Scholarships:
Boarding Scholarships are available for talented students who need to board at Bruce House to take advantage of the opportunities available at Saint Kentigern.
Scholarship application forms are available on our website.
Find out more about Scholarships
We welcome families interested in a Saint Kentigern education to attend either our Open Day or Campus tour. Our annual Open Day is held in early March. Campus tours are offered in Terms 2 and 3.
Our Open Day is a full morning designed to inform you of the benefits of a Saint Kentigern education and to give you an insight into our College in action. Our Pipes and Drums will welcome you onto the campus, followed by a tour of the campus led by College Prefects and Student Leaders. During the morning tea, you will hear from the College Principal and have the opportunity to speak with the Heads of Departments to learn more about what is on offer at the College.
A Campus tour gives you the opportunity for a smaller group tour of the College, followed by a morning tea where you can meet and chat with the College Principal, members of the Senior Leadership Team and various Heads of Departments.
If you are visiting from overseas or out of town, we will always do our best to accommodate a request for a personal tour at your convenience.
To ensure that we have a suitable number of guides available, we do ask that families register to attend by completing the online form. Those considering boarding for their child are also encouraged to make this known so that a personal tour of the boarding facilities can be arranged following the Campus tour.
Phone 09 577 0703 or email Admissions
Our class sizes are usually 24 or fewer, with a maximum of 26 (depending on their choice of subject, some class sizes may be much smaller).
Students in Years 9-13 are placed in small Tutor Groups of approximately 15 -18 students for their daily pastoral care.
No, we offer either the New Zealand Qualification NCEA or IB pathways.
During Year 11, all students complete their NCEA Level 1 qualifications. Year 12 students can choose to continue either the NCEA pathway at Level 2 or begin the two-year International Baccalaureate Diploma programme.
Learn more about the IB Diploma Programme
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB) is an internationally recognised qualification for entry into higher education that provides an excellent fit with the Saint Kentigern College ethos. The programme emphasises high academic standards in the mandatory areas of literature, a second language, mathematics, humanities, and science. Academic excellence is coupled with emphasis on personal development in areas such as research, philosophy, and social awareness. It is aimed at all students with a strong work ethic.
We currently offer Te Reo Maori, French, Japanese, Chinese and Spanish.
Yes, Saint Kentigern College has a strong focus on current technologies. All our students use laptops daily for a significant amount of classwork, study, research, homework, and presentation.
Yes, if the laptop meets the College requirements. The laptop will need to be configured to our network and have our software loaded.
The laptops we offer at College are designed to a specification level which is very robust for school use. It is preferable that your child’s laptop is bought as part of our IT package. Your own laptop would not be covered by our insurance or service contract at the College. An indication of the cost of the IT package is outlined on the Attendance Cost form.
Attendance Costs at Saint Kentigern College (NZ Citizens and Permanent Residents)
Attendance Costs at Saint Kentigern College (International Students)
The College accepts Boarders from Year 9 to 13 for both the Girls and Boys boarding. Some Year 8 students may be offered a place should they have a sibling already boarding or have the maturity to stay away from home.
Yes, we offer both weekly and full-term boarding for girls and boys in our onsite boarding facility, Bruce House. The Boarding Fee is fixed annually.
No, it is the same fee for both weekly and full-time boarding. This allows all students to stay in some weekends if they wish to, and weekly boarders often want to stay Friday night at Bruce House to be ready for Saturday sport.
Yes, we welcome interested future boarders and their families to tour both the College and the boarding facilities. We acknowledge that attending one of our regular Campus Tours may be difficult for those who live out of town, so we are happy to arrange a personal tour of the boarding house at your convenience.
https://saintkentigern.youtour.nz#college
https://saintkentigern.youtour.nz#collegeboarding
We have an extensive bus network that covers Auckland with over 34 different bus routes from South Auckland, West Auckland, and Central suburbs. Students catch the bus from any marked bus stop along our routes.
Find out more about Saint Kentigern Chartered Bus Routes
Costs vary according to proximity to the College. Specific queries can be directed to College Bus Co-ordinator Lisa Brown.
The sibling discount on tuition fees is 5% for two children at Saint Kentigern and 10% for three children (or more). Full details about the cost of attending Saint Kentigern College are available here.
Attendance Costs at Saint Kentigern College (NZ Citizens and Permanent Residents)
Attendance Costs at Saint Kentigern College (International Students)
International Students require a good level of comprehension in both written and spoken English. An Oxford English test is required to be completed with a level of B2 and above achieved before a student will be invited to an online interview.
Please note that as we receive more applications than places available, not every student will be offered an interview and may be placed in the wait pool.
This is usually assessed on date of birth and school reports.
We would be able to confirm the most suitable level for your child during an interview and when we have viewed their current school reports.
Detailed information about applying to Saint Kentigern as an International Student can be found in the International section of this website.
