Welcome from Headmaster 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.
Nau mai, haere mai – A very warm welcome to Christ’s College
It is a great privilege to welcome you and your family to the Christ’s College community. By choosing College, you have joined a place with a proud tradition, a clear purpose, and a commitment to supporting every boy in realising his full potential. Our guiding vision is captured in our mission: Each boy at his best.
Christ’s College is renowned not only for the strength of its academic programme but also for the richness of its cultural, sporting, and co-curricular opportunities. These experiences, taken together, create an environment where young men can discover their passions, build character, and develop the skills and attributes they will need to thrive in the world beyond our gates.
With effort and commitment, you will find your College years both challenging and deeply rewarding, shaping you into a confident, compassionate, and self-aware young man who is ready to contribute positively to society.
This handbook has been created to help guide you through life at College. Within its pages, you will find practical information and insights into the many aspects of school life. I encourage you to use it as a reference as you embark on this exciting new chapter of your journey.
We are delighted you are here, and we look forward to walking alongside you in the years ahead.
Welcome from Head Prefect Joshua Shannahan
Christ’s College is more than a school to me – it’s the place that has taught me what it means to belong.
When I first arrived from Breens Intermediate, I didn’t know anyone, but I’ll never forget the way a senior smiled and said ‘hello’ to me as we passed each other. It was such a small thing, but it changed the way I saw College. Those small moments of connection are constant here, and that’s what makes this place feel like a second home.
The House system is at the heart of that connection. It’s where boys from every year level get to know each other, where older students look out for younger ones, and where we learn that College is about more than just ourselves. Some of the best moments of my time here aren’t big victories, but rather when the House has pulled together at music rehearsals and lunchtime competitions, or cheered on teams who give everything no matter the outcome. That’s what brotherhood looks like, and that’s what makes every House so special.
In the classroom, College challenges you to think critically and aim high. What stands out is not just the teaching, but the genuine care that staff have for each boy’s progress. The College Diploma helps juniors grow in confidence before stepping into NCEA, and, along the way, you’re encouraged to push well beyond your own expectations. While results are important, academics also help us build resilience, discipline, and curiosity that will serve us throughout our lives.
Outside the classroom, opportunities are endless. On the sports field, you learn perseverance and teamwork, whether you’re competing at the highest level or playing socially with your mates. Some of my proudest moments have been in sport, not just in winning, but in the way it unites us as a school. From the roar of support at a big game to the quiet encouragement between teammates at training, sport teaches lessons about discipline and character that stay with you for life.
The Arts play an equally important role in shaping College life. Creativity thrives here through House Plays, student-led bands, and productions with St Margaret’s College and Rangi Ruru Girls’ School. I’ve always admired the courage it takes to step on stage and the way those performances bring the school together. The Arts remind us that expression isn’t limited to words or results, but rather it’s about sharing who you are and giving others the chance to do the same.
Service has also been central to my journey at College. Through Eco-Action, community volunteering, and other service projects, I’ve learnt that leadership is not about standing above others but rather standing beside them. Some of my most rewarding moments have come from giving back, because character is measured by how you treat those who have nothing to give in return.
Chapel ties all this together. As an Anglican school, it is the heart of our community and the place where we gather in silence, song, and reflection. Chapel reminds us of values like compassion, humility, and service, and grounds us in traditions that have shaped generations of College men. For me, it has been a constant reminder that while our faith and traditions guide us, it’s up to us to live them out each day.
Wellbeing is paramount at College. School is where we spend most of our time outside of home, so it should feel like a place of comfort and belonging. For me, the friendships I’ve built across different years have been the greatest source of support. Knowing that you’re not alone, and that there are people who care, is something I hope every boy feels here.
Christ’s College values tradition, but it also gives us the freedom to shape its future. From the Chapel at the heart of our campus to the black-and-white uniform that has stood the test of time, we are reminded daily of our legacy. Each boy who walks these grounds adds his own story to that legacy. My hope as Head Prefect is simple – that every student makes the most of his time here. Take the opportunities, show up for your mates, and remember that the little moments often become the ones you look back on with pride.
Christ’s College has shaped me into who I am today, and I know it will do the same for you. It is a place where boys grow into fine young men, not just because of what they achieve, but because of the brotherhood, character, and values they build along the way.