Selwyn House School

New Zealand, Christchurch

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The school at a glance

Instructs in English

Fees NZ$19,200 - 41,500

Ages 3 - 13 years

Pupil numbers 298

Type Co-educational, Girls School

Opened 1929

Bus Service No

Availability Not shared by this school

Academic offering

Curriculum IB (PYP)

Taught languages English, Spanish

Typical class size 17

Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts, STEM

Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service

Stages Primary School, Preschool

Introduction

Selwyn House School is an International Baccalaureate World School delivering the Primary Years Programme from Pre-school to Year 8. It combines a co-educational pre-school with a girls' independent full primary school. The curriculum integrates academics with specialist programmes in STEM, the arts, sports, and leadership development, fostering inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and a global perspective. The Primary Years Programme uses a Programme of Inquiry organized around six transdisciplinary themes: Who we are; Where we are in time and place; How the world works; How we express ourselves; How we organise ourselves; Sharing the planet. Learning emphasizes small class sizes, personalised support, and a scaffolded approach across year levels, with specialist subjects across the year groups. Founded in 1929, Selwyn House offers a continuum from Pre-school to Year 8. Facilities include a heated pool, Technology Hub, Mechatronics, Food Technology, Visual Arts, Music and Spanish classrooms, library, Performing Arts Centre, and pre-school.

selwynhouse.school.nz

122 Merivale Lane, Merivale, Christchurch 8014, New Zealand

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Vibes and Culture

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The Essentials

Location

Selwyn House School is located at 122 Merivale Lane, Merivale, Christchurch 8014. It sits in the Merivale suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand. The postal address is PO Box 25049 and the phone number is (03) 355 7299.

Stages

A co-educational pre-school for ages 2.5–5 years and a Year 1–8 girls' independent full primary school.

Type

Independent girls' school for Years 1–8 with a co-educational pre-school.

Country affiliation

New Zealand

Diving Deeper

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Fees

Application & Acceptance Fees

- Domestic application fee: NZD 175, payable on application.
- Domestic acceptance fee: NZD 800, payable on offer of a place; this acceptance fee includes lifetime membership to the Selwyn House School Alumni Association and is not refundable if the student does not take up the place.
- Pre-school enrolment fee: NZD 110, payable on enrolment.
- International application fee: NZD 375
- International acceptance fee: NZD 1550
International application fee amounts and acceptance requirements apply for overseas students. A refundable international disbursement bond of NZD 2,000 is charged for international students (refundable if unused).

Tuition fees — Domestic (primary years) — annual, 10-month instalments, and per-term (calculated)

- Years 1 & 2: Annual fee NZD 19,200; 10-month instalment NZD 1,920. Per term (annual ÷ 4, calculated): NZD 4,800.
- Years 3 & 4: Annual fee NZD 22,700; 10-month instalment NZD 2,270. Per term (annual ÷ 4, calculated): NZD 5,675.
- Years 5 & 6: Annual fee NZD 23,000; 10-month instalment NZD 2,300. Per term (annual ÷ 4, calculated): NZD 5,750.
- Years 7 & 8: Annual fee NZD 25,000; 10-month instalment NZD 2,500. Per term (annual ÷ 4, calculated): NZD 6,250.

(Note: per-term figures above are calculated by dividing the published annual fee by four.)

Tuition fees — International (primary years)

- International tuition Years 1–4: NZD 38,500 (annual; international tuition is set and paid in advance).
- International tuition Years 5 & 8: NZD 41,500 (annual; international tuition is set and paid in advance).
- International disbursement bond: NZD 2,000 (refundable if unused).

Compulsory levies and other recurring charges

- Compulsory Development Levy (CDL): One daughter NZD 850 per year (or NZD 85 on the 10-month instalment plan); two or more daughters NZD 980 per year (or NZD 98 on the 10-month instalment plan).
- Incidental charges (for after-school opportunities, casual days, trips, etc.) are billed in arrears and appear as disbursements on regular invoices.
- Late payment fee: NZD 150 per student for payments made after the due date, with a further NZD 150 per student charged for each subsequent month the account remains unpaid. Accounts more than 60 days overdue will be referred to a debt collection agency.

Pre-school fee details (sessional and weekly rates; additional hours)

- Under-3s (8:30am–3:30pm) weekly rates: 3-day NZD 264; 4-day NZD 352; 5-day NZD 440.
- Ages 3–6 with maximum 20 ECE hours attestation weekly rates: 3-day NZD 180; 4-day NZD 240; 5-day NZD 300. With no attestation (no ECE hours) weekly rates: 3-day NZD 264; 4-day NZD 352; 5-day NZD 440.
- Additional hours charged at NZD 20 per half hour. Pre-school fees are invoiced weekly or fortnightly in advance; families are invoiced two weeks in advance of the child's first week.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- School tuition fees are invoiced monthly in advance. School invoices are payable by direct debit on the 20th of the month following invoice issue. Pre-school invoices are issued weekly or fortnightly in advance.
- The mandatory method of payment is by direct debit; a direct debit authority must be completed and returned to the school's business office before a child commences. The school does not provide credit facilities.
- A prepayment discount of 1.5% on tuition fees is applied if the full year's primary school tuition fees are received by 20 February (discount applies to tuition only).

Withdrawal, leave, and refund rules

- Fees paid are generally non-refundable. Fees paid or payable for any period of non-attendance will not be applied against other fees or charges.
- Acceptance fee: if a student does not take up the offered place, the acceptance fee is not refundable.
- Withdrawal: at least one full term's written notice to the Principal is required prior to withdrawal (or a full term's tuition fee is payable in lieu of notice). Temporary leave of absence for a term or more requires prior approval and a leave-of-absence holding fee (amount dependent on length of leave).
- International disbursement bond is refundable if unused.

Other notes on fee arrangements and collections

- The Trust Board may alter fees and charges at its discretion; incidental school charges will be invoiced monthly. When there are multiple signatories on an application, those signatories are jointly and severally liable for fees. In cases of extreme hardship the school may vary fee payment arrangements; applications for payment arrangements must be made in writing to the Finance Manager. Accounts unpaid beyond the stated terms may attract recovery action.

Academics

Curriculum

Selwyn House School is an International Baccalaureate World School delivering the Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) from Pre-school to Year 8. It provides a continuum of education with a co-educational pre-school and a girls' independent full primary school. The curriculum integrates academics with specialist programmes in STEM, the arts, sports, and leadership development, fostering inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and a global perspective. The Primary Years Programme uses a Programme of Inquiry organized around six transdisciplinary themes: Who we are; Where we are in time and place; How the world works; How we express ourselves; How we organise ourselves; Sharing the planet. Learning emphasises small class sizes, personalised support, and a scaffolded approach across all year levels, with specialist subjects offered across the year groups.

Student Teacher Ratio

Small class sizes provide personalised support and a nurturing learning environment across Pre-school to Year 8.

Gifted and Talented

A Specialist Programme offers Spanish, Music, Science, Mechatronics, Physical Education & Health, Visual Arts, Food Technology, Performing Arts and STEAM taught by specialists to deepen learning across Units of Inquiry.

Wellbeing

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Parent Experience

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Facilities

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Extra-Curricular Activities

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Languages

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Reputation

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Admissions

1. Registering Interest: Families may register their interest at any time by completing the registration form. Open Days and Personal Tours are available to learn more about Selwyn House School. If applying to Pre‑school, an additional application is required.

2. Enrolment Application: Submit an Application for Enrolment as soon as possible for entry to Selwyn House School. The application must include a copy of the student's full birth certificate. Evidence of NZ citizenship or residency if not born in New Zealand (e.g., passport or citizenship certificate) should be provided. Also include a copy of the most recent school report (if applicable) and any additional supporting documentation.

3. Visit and Interviews: Domestic applicants and families have an interview with the Principal, which can occur in person or online. Interviews for New Entrants and Year 1 are held when the child is four years old; applicants for Years 2–8 are required to attend an Experience Day, and the interview and Experience Morning may not be on the same day. International applicants meet with the Deputy Principal and Director of International Students after the application is received; this is not a formal assessment and is typically conducted by Zoom or Google Meet.

4. Offer of Place: Successful domestic and international applicants will be sent an Offer of Place and additional details. A confirmation fee is required to secure the enrolment space.

5. Starting School: Before starting at Selwyn House School, New Entrant and Year 1 students participate in Playgroup and the Transition to School Programme. New students schedule a school uniform appointment, receive information relevant to their entry year level, and receive their school stationery pack on their first day. Students are also matched with a classroom buddy to help with the transition.

6. Domestic Applications, International Applications, and Pre‑school Applications are available online.

Scholarships

2027 Scholarships are open until April 30th 2026: The Charlotte Mason is a new scholarship for Year 7 girls and covers the full cost of tuition fees for 2 years (all clubs and extra curricular activities excluded). Selwyn House School provides opportunities for scholarships to both prospective and currently enrolled students in Academics, Sports, Performing Arts, and Music. All applicants, regardless of scholarship type or current connection to the School, are required to sit the academic examination. Prospective students who wish to apply for a scholarship must submit a completed enrolment application before the scholarship application deadline. For more information contact Enrolments Co-ordinator Leanne Glasson at enrolments@selhouse.school.nz.

School Events

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FAQs

Where is Selwyn House School located?

Selwyn House School is located at 122 Merivale Lane, Merivale, Christchurch 8014, New Zealand. It sits in the Merivale suburb and serves students from a co‑educational pre‑school through to Year 8; the main contact number is (03) 355 7299.

What age range and school structure does Selwyn House provide?

The school offers a co‑educational pre‑school for ages 2.5–5 and a girls' full primary school for Years 1–8, with an intake range roughly from 3 to 13 years old. It delivers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme from Pre‑school to Year 8, with specialist programmes and a focus on inquiry‑based learning.

Who leads Selwyn House and what is the governance structure?

Selwyn House is an independent school governed by a Board of Trustees. The Head of School is Julie Calder, and the school includes a co‑educational pre‑school alongside a Year 1–8 girls' full primary.

What are the tuition fees for domestic students by year level?

Domestic Year 1–2 fees are NZD 19,200 per year; Years 3–4 are NZD 22,700; Years 5–6 are NZD 23,000; and Years 7–8 are NZD 25,000. Fees are charged annually with 10‑month instalments available and a per‑term amount calculated from the annual fee.

What are the tuition fees for international students?

International tuition for Years 1–4 is NZD 38,500 per year, and NZD 41,500 per year for Years 5–8. There is also an international disbursement bond of NZD 2,000, which is refundable if unused, plus international application and acceptance fees.

How does the admissions process work for domestic and international applicants?

Families register interest, submit an enrolment application with required documents, and then undergo an interview (Domestic) or an Experience Day (Years 2–8). International applicants typically meet with the Deputy Principal and Director of International Students (often via Zoom/Google Meet). If offered a place, a confirmation fee is due and new entrants begin with transition programs.

Are there scholarships or grants, and how do I apply?

There is a Principal's Grant available for new entrants to Year 1 or Year 7 for the 2026 year, with a deadline of Friday 17 October. For 2027, scholarships will be available and require an academic examination; applications must be submitted with the enrolment application. For details, contact the Enrolments team.

What curriculum does Selwyn House follow and what makes it unique?

Selwyn House is an International Baccalaureate World School delivering the Primary Years Programme (PYP) from Pre‑school to Year 8. The PYP emphasizes inquiry‑based learning, critical thinking and a global perspective, with six transdisciplinary themes guiding Units of Inquiry.

How large are classes and how is learning supported?

Class sizes are small to provide personalised support and a scaffolded learning approach across all year levels. Students also access a range of specialist subjects taught by expert teachers to deepen learning across Units of Inquiry.

Are there any specialist programmes for gifted and talented learners?

Yes. A Specialist Programme offers extended learning in Spanish, Music, Science, Mechatronics, Physical Education & Health, Visual Arts, Food Technology, Performing Arts and STEAM, taught by specialists.

What facilities support learning and campus life?

The campus includes an indoor heated swimming pool, an astroturf field with outdoor courts, a Technology Hub and Mechatronics suites, a Food Technology room, a music classroom, a Spanish classroom, a visual arts room, a multi‑purpose library, a Performing Arts Centre, and a co‑educational pre‑school.

What arts and performing arts facilities are available?

The Carolyn Fletcher Performing Arts Centre supports productions with dedicated practice rooms and staging. There are also specialist spaces for music, visual arts (including kiln and printing press) and a dedicated Spanish classroom to support language learning.

What sports and other facilities are on offer?

Sports facilities include an indoor pool for swimming lessons and an astroturf field with outdoor courts for basketball, hockey, netball and tennis. There is also a large outdoor playground and spaces that support clubs and other activities.

What clubs and extracurricular activities can students join?

Students can participate in Cantamaths, Code Club, Junior Mechatronics, Science Club, Stop Motion Club, Glee Club, Speech & Drama, music ensembles and sport teams. Leadership and service opportunities are also embedded in school life.

Are there camps or experiential learning opportunities?

Yes. There are Year 4–8 camps and Space Week to foster independence, resilience and real‑world learning.

How does leadership development work at Selwyn House?

The Year 8 Leadership Programme provides two designated leadership roles across areas such as Sports, STEAM, Library, Music & Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Enviro, PYP & Wellbeing, Language & Culture, House Leadership, Student Ambassadorship and Communications. The House System and Buddy Programme promote leadership and peer mentorship across year levels.

How is wellbeing and pastoral care managed at Selwyn House?

Pastoral Care & Wellbeing is a daily programme that ensures every girl feels supported, valued and connected. A Buddy system connects senior and junior students to provide friendship and guidance, and the school emphasises core values of curiosity, courage, resilience and inspiration.

What learning support is available for students with additional needs?

Small class sizes enable personalised support, and a range of specialist subjects are taught by expert teachers within the IB framework to accommodate different learner needs.

What mental wellbeing initiatives does the school offer?

Mental wellbeing is supported through activities such as yoga, mindful breathing, Smiling Minds and The Friendology Programme, with wellbeing integrated across the school and guided by the IB values.

Is there a house system and what governance structures exist?

Yes, there is a House System and a Buddy Programme to promote belonging and peer leadership. The school is governed by a Board of Trustees, with active involvement from the Selwyn House Parents' Association (SHPA) and Alumni Association.

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