Private boarding school for girls in New Zealand

Solway College, Masterton:
Located in Masterton, Wairarapa, South Wellington at the southwestern tip of the North Island of New Zealand, Solway College is one of New Zealand's most historic girls' boarding schools. Established in 1916 and, in the 1970s, one of the first girls' colleges to become integrated in New Zealand, we consistently provide a holistic education for young women in Years 7 to 13 (Forms 1 to 7). Solway College also has many years' experience in educating and accommodating international students. We offer a limited number of day girl places and a variety of boarding options. Masterton is approx 90 minutes from Wellington, New Zealand's capital city. Our commitment to excellent teaching, small class sizes and catering for the individual learning needs of each student ensures that this will continue. We are a small girls' boarding school, yet with a full curriculum and wide range of extra-curricular activities. We aim to develop leadership, self-confidence and bring out the best in each girl.

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Timor dei principium sapientiae:
Being in awe of (or having respect and reverence for) the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

To provide holistic education for young women in a caring, Christian environment.

* Educate the whole person – intellectual, physical, cultural, spiritual, social and moral;
* Cater for and bring out the best in each individual student;
* Prepare girls for the modern post-school world;
* Work in partnership with parents.

One of commitment to achievement and creating self-motivated, confident young women. Our students are successful in all walks of life.

Our college was established in 1916 to provide an excellent, progressive education based on Christian teaching and values, an education that developed the whole person: intellectual, physical, cultural and spiritual. This is still what we do at Solway College.

Boarding Programme for girls in Years 7 to 13 (Forms 1 to 7), Day Programme; Junior Curriculum; Senior Curriculum; The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). Core Subjects include English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Physical Education, Health, Technology, Art, Christian Education and Languages. International Students are welcome.

A girls' boarding school is an excellent education choice. Boarding at Solway College is an affordable way to provide girls with special opportunities and challenges.

Greater Opportunities for Participation:
Boarding offers additional personal development opportunities. There is discipline, observation of rules and routines and learning to be independent – all necessary parts of living away from home. Boarding at school offers a unique and secure environment in which girls can learn to meet these challenges.

Through boarding, girls are offered the chance to develop additional organisational and leadership skills. The contribution of all students is needed and valued. Leadership is expected especially from senior girls who have responsibilities in looking after younger students and in the smooth running of the hostel and school.

Additional Learning:
Another feature of boarding life is compulsory supervised “prep” (homework and study) for all boarders each evening. This extends and reinforces the learning done during the school day , helping to establish work patterns and a commitment to academic success.

Family Values and Friendships:
A family-like atmosphere and values are recognised as being crucial to living happily and successfully at school. Students are expected to care for one another and to look after each other, and to develop values such as concern for one another, respect and personal integrity. The girls themselves identify the strong friendships they establish as boarders as one of the best things about boarding.

Regular contact between home and school is essential to the success of boarding.

Full Boarding:
Girls spend the full week at school, going home for holidays and exeat weekends. This may suit parents who live outside the region.

Weekly Boarding:
Girls stay five nights at Solway, and go home for the weekend. They return each week on Sunday evening, ready to start the week. This option suits Wellington, Kapiti Coast, Palmerston North and rural students. Girls are required to meet their sports and other school obligations.

Four Day Boarding:
Girls spend four nights per week boarding. Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights are spent at home. Families who elect this option must ensure their daughters meet their sporting and other school obligations during weekends.

Negotiated Boarding Options:
At the discretion of the principal, and boarding space permitting, other options may be available to suit particular family and child needs.

Day Girl Attendance:
As a boarding college, Solway has a strictly limited number of day girl places available. Day girls have all of the opportunities and obligations that Boarders have. They are required to participate fully in the life of the school, including after-school activities and weekend events.

Solway College has many years' experience in educating and accommodating international students.

We appreciate that international students are away from their country and families for long periods of time. Feeling supported and happy are important elements in receiving an excellent education. As a small, provincial New Zealand college, Solway is able to offer a caring, family-like environment which larger schools may find difficult to provide. Our history of educating international students shows that girls not only enjoy their time at Solway, but have a high rate of success in academic, cultural and sporting activities. In fact one recent international student who began in Year 9 became Head Girl and Dux of the college by the time she left at the end of Year 13.

The cultural activities the girls undertake at school add to a rich, interesting and challenging life at Solway College. There are opportunities for involvement in sports, outdoor education, inter-school exchanges, international exchanges, the arts, singing, drama, Shakespeare, speech, debating and music tuition. Private tuition can also be arranged and undertaken during the school term.

Horizons is special to our college allowing us to offer a co-curricular programme and a wide range of activities. The programmes vary from year to year and can include such things as the Young New Zealanders’ Challenge (Duke of Edinburgh) awards, the Young Enterprise Scheme, life skills and crafts and hobbies.