WELCOME ~ NAU MAI HAERE MAI

Kia ora, nau mai, haere mai ki te whānau whare noho o te Kāreti o Waihora.

Welcome to the Ellesmere College whānau. It is our hope that by you attending the college, you will enjoy our culture, language, food and customs, everyone's time will be enriched, friendships forged and lifelong memories created.

Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa

Antony French - Acting Principal

I am pleased to welcome you to Ellesmere College and our range of specialised education packages which are our point of difference. I’m a 4th generation New Zealander, so if you want the true Kiwi experience, we welcome you to study with us.

Laura McConchie - Director of International Students

Founded in 1981, Ellesmere College-Te Kāreti o Waihora is a co-educational school, grounded in family values with a community focus, offering over 500 students from Year 7 to Year 13, an exceptional education. The college is located 40 minutes from Christchurch and is a small, rural family oriented school located amongst tranquil farming landscapes of the Selwyn district. Ellesmere College has a variety of rural life alongside city advantages whilst being just a short drive away from the majestic Southern Alps, stunning rivers and coastline. Ellesmere College -Te Kāreti o Waihora is a place where every student is valued, supported and enabled to excel. Passionate teachers, a nurturing environment and a student-focused approach inspires every student to be the best they can be.

Our values - o tatou uara

Our RISE values live and breathe throughout the curriculum and learning environment. Evolved through community discussion and consideration, they are at the core of everything we do as a school.

Respect

Integrity

Success

Empathy

We prepare our students for the wider world by incorporating these values into every area of school life, including our Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) programme. This helps to create a positive environment and strong support system, removing barriers to engagement and improving children’s overall well-being.

Why study with us?

Ellesmere College Te Kāreti o Waihora prides itself on creating a nurturing environment where every student is known and supported on a personal level. With dedicated teachers and individualised support, students excel academically and thrive in all aspects of school life. The college offers enriching activities during lunchtime in the school library, fostering a love for learning beyond the classroom. With a low teacher to student ratio, each child receives the individual attention they need to thrive academically and personally. Our commitment to pastoral care ensures that every student feels supported and valued, creating a nurturing environment conducive to learning and growth. At Ellesmere, every staff member is committed to ensuring that each student has the resources and encouragement they need to shine, making it a place where everyone can flourish. Our small rural community is a gem, characterised by its close-knit atmosphere and personal touch. Additionally, the local Leeston gym provides opportunities for physical development and well-being. Our friendly and experienced homestay hosts open their homes and hearts, offering students a warm and welcoming place to stay. This combination of dedicated education professionals and caring community members makes our rural community an ideal place for both learning and living. Pastoral care is important to us therefore, we have an open door policy for students to access staff at the International office as our staff work onsite during the school week.