Trinity Schools – shaped by tradition, connection, and growth

With Special Character, tradition and values in common, Trinity Schools – Hadlow Pre-School, Hadlow Preparatory School, St Matthew’s Collegiate and Rathkeale College – offer pupils a well-rounded education that equips them well for life.

All four schools deliver a consistently high standard of education from pre-school through to senior college. Based on Anglican faith and traditional values, Trinity Schools offer a supportive learning environment that encourages all-round high achievement and good citizenship.

“The Trinity Schools Trust Board (TSTB) is proud of the high-quality Anglican faith-based education that our schools provide, achieving outstanding student educational results and maintaining a well-deserved reputation for excellence year after year,” says TSTB Chair, John Kirkup. 

“At the core of this is our Special Character, woven through the spiritual, academic, boarding, sporting, and social fabric of our schools. It is shown in the pastoral care the schools provide for every student, fostering hauora—health and wellbeing— while developing character and engaging our community,” says John.

Hadlow Pre-School welcomes children from 3 to 5 years old.  Hadlow Preparatory School is co-educational from Year 1 to Year 8; St Matthew’s Collegiate offers education for girls from Years 7 to Year 13. Rathkeale College is a school for boys from Year 9 to Year 13.  St Matthew’s and Rathkeale combine in Year 12 and Year 13 to offer a co-educational Senior College.   Trinity Schools are State-integrated; both Rathkeale and St Matthew’s offer options for boarding.

Rathkeale College, founded as a school in 1963, will this year celebrate the 100th anniversary of the School House, pictured above, the historic farmhouse at the heart of its exceptionally beautiful 66-hectare campus.  “The extensive campus gives students a unique space where they can learn and grow.  We are not a big, busy school in the centre of a city or town, and it can be helpful for some not to have distractions,” says Rathkeale Principal Martin O’Grady.

“With around 330 students, our academic results are predominately reflective of excellent teaching, small class sizes and encouraging students to strive for academic success. That said, we do also have a caring, supportive and inclusive environment.

“We are proud of our traditions and our history but are not bound by these things. We aim to prepare students for the world, and want to see them become good global citizens,” says Martin.

From left: Martin O'Grady, Principal of Rathkeale College, Andrew Osmond, Principal of Hadlow Preparatory School, Kiri Gill, Principal of St Matthew’s Collegiate, Annabel Wyeth, Senior Teacher, Hadlow Pre-School.

Alongside pupils from St Matthews, Rathkeale pupils have been actively involved in community projects such as planting native trees, restoring wetlands and riparian planting, particularly through collaborations with the Ruamahanga Restoration Trust. Both schools encourage participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.

 St Matthew’s Collegiate traces its origins back to 1914 and has developed a deep tradition of academic excellence and values.

“Our school’s heritage promotes pride and identity among students and staff, fostering a strong sense of belonging. Having successfully navigated years of change, the school is skilled at meeting the needs of the times. Our school empowers and guides young women to be thriving, adaptable and curious individuals who leave here yearly as wahine toa,” says Principal Kiri Gill.

A wide range of extracurricular activities allows students to pursue their passions, whether in arts, sport or community service, “From these opportunities our wahine toa develop teamwork, creativity and well-rounded character,” says Kiri.

“Our Anglican ethos encourages an understanding of global and cultural issues, fostering respect for diversity and a commitment to service both in the community and internationally,” she says.

The chapel, St Matthew’s Collegiate.

Hadlow Pre-School and Hadlow Preparatory School have the important task of setting children on their educational journey. Hadlow Pre-School is a nurturing and engaging early childhood environment. Set within the peaceful, quiet grounds of Hadlow School, a play-based programme fosters independence, kindness, confidence, respect, and perseverance, helping children thrive as they prepare for their transition to school.

 “As an Anglican school, we are about traditional values, but we are also innovative. We are always looking at current educational research so we can offer the best for our children. Hadlow is strong in core foundational subjects such as reading, writing and mathematics, and we also have an amazing school culture. It always blows me away how engaged our pupils are with their learning,” says Hadlow Preparatory School Principal Andrew Osmond.

With 200 on the roll, and small numbers in each class, teachers can be responsive to an individual child’s needs. “We want to ensure school is a happy place to come to where all children will feel confident in themselves. And we would want them to leave with a love of learning that will serve them well into secondary school and through life,” says Andrew.

Lastly, one of the most revealing things about any school is how ex-pupils might feel about their schooldays after they have left. St Matthews and Rathkeale hold regular, well-attended, decade reunions of past pupils. Interestingly, the things those pupils recall most warmly of their time at Trinity Schools go beyond academic achievements.  The beauty of the setting, being aware of traditions and a clear set of values, a warm sense of belonging to a community, and lifelong friendships made at school all feature in their discussions.
For more information visit www.trinityschools.nz

Special Character
Trinity Schools provide a well-rounded education encompassing academic, cultural, sporting, and musical achievement and are committed to fostering a special character based on the Anglican faith and values. Key aspects of the special character are:

• a strong moral code, emphasising values such as kindness, respect, and perseverance. 

• a sense of community

• respect for diversity, other cultures, religions and faiths

• leadership skills

• service to others and mindfulness of our impact on the world, including the environment. 

• sporting and cultural activities that unite both day and boarding students. 

All Trinity Schools benefit from a peaceful outdoor setting .