Nelson College For Girls Prep School

Key facts

About Nelson College For Girls Prep School

Nelson College for Girls (Te Kura Tamawāhine o Whakatū) is a girls' secondary school in Nelson with more than 140 years of history. The school is not faith-based or Māori-medium, but operates with a bicultural character reflected in its use of te reo Māori alongside English in school life and communications.

The school's stated values are grouped under the acronym PRIDE, which the school describes as guiding the conduct of both students and staff. A whakatauki — Manaakitia te tangata, ahakoa ko wai, ahakoa nō hea ("Treat people respectfully, irrespective of who they are or where they come from") — is cited as the foundation of these values.

Pastoral support is structured around ārahi groups, with additional mentoring provided through Deans, kaitakawaenga, Learning Area Leaders, kaiako, and support staff. The school also offers extra-curricular activities, which it presents as opportunities for leadership and broader personal development.

Curriculum — Preparatory School

The Preparatory School covers Years 7 and 8. Each class has an Ārahi teacher who delivers the core curriculum, with specialist College teachers taking additional subjects.

Core curriculum areas

• English — reading, writing (including word study and spelling), oral and visual language
• Mathematics — number, algebra, measurement, space, and statistics
• Social Sciences — Phase 3 NZ Curriculum topics, including ANZH and Aotearoa NZ Histories
• Health — Hauora using Te Whare Tapa Whā, digital citizenship, changes at adolescence, Life Education
• Physical Education — taught using the College gymnasiums and sports facilities
• Education Outside the Classroom — weekly adventure-based learning for Year 7; overnight and day outdoor education trips for Year 8, using environments in the Nelson region

Specialist subjects

Specialist teachers from the College deliver the following subjects, using College facilities:

• Science — taught in College laboratory facilities
• Technology — Foods, Materials Textiles, and Digital Design, taught in College Technology Suites
• The Arts — Visual Art and Music (including instrumental, choral, composition, and performance preparation), taught in College art and music studios; lunchtime Drama and Theatresports clubs are also available
• Languages — Japanese, Spanish, and Te Reo Māori (Years 7 and 8)

Co-Curricular Activities

Music and Performing Arts

The following named music, performing arts, and cultural groups are available to Preparatory School students:

• Preparatory School Choir — meets weekly at lunchtime and performs at the end-of-term merit assembly
• Instrumental and vocal tuition through the Itinerant Music Programme
• College Concert Band and Orchestra — open to Prep students depending on ability
• Rock Bands
• Kapa Haka Group, Pikimai
• Music 'taster' instrumental lessons
• Theatresports
• House Performing Arts event (HPAC)

Sport

Named sports and competitions available to Preparatory School students include:

• Netball
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Volleyball
• Touch
• Table Tennis
• Badminton
• Kī-o-rahi
• Underwater Hockey
• Lunchtime sport activities

Interschool sports exchanges and tournaments include:

• Intermediate Winter Tournament
• Intermediate Athletics
• Intermediate Summer Tournament
• Intermediate Swimming Sports
• Cross Country
• Volleyball
• Touch/Rippa Rugby

Sporting events shared with the wider College include:

• Swimming Sports
• Athletics Sports
• House Heptathlon
• Cross Country
• House Summer and Winter Sports Competitions