Welcome from Executive Principal Joe Eccleton
This website is a window into the world of Christ’s College, New Zealand’s best-known and leading school for boys.
Christ's College is an independent boarding and day school, established as part of the original Anglican foundation of Christchurch.
Core Christian virtues guide all that we do and how we act. Honesty, respect, justice and compassion create a caring and supportive environment at College, where boys feel comfortable to be themselves as they strive to reach their potential. Our mission is Each boy at his best.
We have a clear vision at Christ’s College ... To educate boys to be virtuous men who make a positive contribution to society.
Our campus is unique. It is a combination of heritage buildings alongside state-of-the-art modern learning spaces, with facilities at the cutting edge of technological excellence.
However, College’s greatest asset is its talented teaching and support staff, who work to enable boundless opportunities to emerge for the boys. These highly qualified and committed people are supported by forward-thinking governance and a dedicated team of professional administrators. Together, they ensure the school provides every opportunity for our boys to achieve at their best.
Boys with a wide range of abilities are welcome at College. There is consistent emphasis on ambition and achievement at all levels, which ensures our student outcomes are among the very best in New Zealand. We nurture the ambitions of some of the brightest scholars in the land while taking equal pleasure in the outstanding progress made by those who benefit from our learning support programmes. The boys respect each other’s commitment, whether within or outside the classroom. Our natural diversity is a key to our success.
Pastoral support is, in the first instance, provided through our House system. There are 10 Houses at College – three for boarders and seven for dayboys – and each boy is a member of a House. The Houses provide a place for study and relaxation, and are the focus of all internal sporting and cultural activities. Vertical organisation within the Houses provides opportunities for leadership and mentoring, and for friendships to develop across year groups.
Boarding has a significant role within the school. The boarding Houses reflect our strong traditions and provide a sense of belonging and connectedness for all boys. The heart of the school beats around the clock. When classes are over and prep is done, boys can choose from a wide range of co-curricular activities that form part of our unique Boarding Programme. Students also enjoy out-of-hours access to libraries, computer suites, sports facilities and workshops.
Our commitment is to provide opportunities that allow boys to develop the skills and dispositions for success in a complex and ever-changing world.
If you would like to visit Christ’s College, or speak with me or our Admissions Registrar, please feel free to contact us to arrange a personal tour. Email email hidden; JavaScript is required or telephone 03 364 6836.
Welcome from Head Prefect Zinzan Bondarenko-Leatua
Being a Christ’s College student is a fulfilling, full-bodied experience. From the first steps in the school grounds to the final walk out of the College gates, the opportunities and experiences gained at Christ’s College are invaluable and timeless.
As an all-boys institution, Christ’s College has always focused on maximising each boy’s potential, believing that everyone has a place where they can excel, no matter where it may be. College truly believes in its mission to have “Each boy at his best”.
The House system is the foundation of the College experience, where boys from Years 9–13 interact and build relationships, with the physical Houses acting as headquarters where one can eat, socialise, and relax. The connections made in Houses often happen quickly but are everlasting. House events, such as House Music, the House haka, or various House sports, showcase the spirit of fellowship among boys, regardless of whether they are on the court, field, or stage.
Christ’s College is steeped in tradition. We follow the Latin motto “Bene Tradita, Bene Servanda”, which translates to "good traditions, well maintained”. Moreover, we maintain our Anglican heritage by displaying the Christian virtues in our school lives. It is a special feeling being inside the Chapel during a service, being side by side with your fellow pupils, either singing as a collective or sitting and listening to the Chaplain, as you feel the strong sense of brotherhood instilled in Christ’s College.
The academic programme at College is unique. In its ever-changing form, College has moulded a programme that fits every student – one that understands how boys learn, celebrates it, and encourages it. Smaller class sizes with specialised teachers ensure every student has an optimal learning experience, with extra help always available. Furthermore, the recent introduction of the Christ’s College Diploma means a much smoother transition to senior school and encountering NCEA.
Sports have always been a key part of College life. All boys participate in a sport, as it is an avenue to friendships and life-long lessons. It does not matter the sport or skill level, College offers top coaching and resources to help all succeed.
The Arts are one of the most beautiful forms of expression. Whether it is through productions, Big Bands, or choir, there is something for everyone. This includes student-led rock bands, House plays, and performance groups.
Finally, College always seeks to “give back”. With that in mind, College has built a culture of continuous service to others in our community. Events and initiatives like the Eco-Action Nursery, Service Week, and Sony Camp are prime examples of the service that boys are involved in, actively reciprocating back to the community.
Christ’s College is a life-changing experience. The opportunities and connections are permanent – something that I will be eternally grateful for. To conclude, a boy who enters Christ’s College will leave having learnt all the skills to become a compassionate, caring, and well-rounded young man, ready to step out into the greater world.