OUR HISTORY

Wellington Girls’ College was founded in 1883. The founders were committed to providing an education appropriate to the times that would produce confident young women able to make a positive contribution to society. We remain true in essence to this philosophy, but strive not just to provide an education for the current times, but an education that equips our young women to meet the challenges of the future, helping them to become creative thinkers, independent learners and confident problem-solvers. The College has evolved into a dynamic and vibrant community that is the place of choice for many of Wellington’s young women.

The school has a long-standing tradition of strong and stable leadership, having appointed only ten Principals in its 140 year history.

Famous Old Girls include:

Katherine Mansfield, Ruth Pretty, Leilani Read, Dr Ocean Mercier, Jo Randerson, Fleur Adcock, Helen Sutch, Elizabeth Garden, Rebecca Perrott, Juliet Etherington, Dr Stephanie Hughes, Dr Janet Soon, Pat McKelvey, Denise Almao, Megan Clark, Beth Jurgeleit, Nancy Sturman, Annabel Langbein, Winnie Laban, Dame Margaret Shields, Anna Paquin, Rebecca Gibney, Jenny Pattrick, Elizabeth McRae, Bridget Williams, Melissa Moon and Justine Munro.

The College continues to nurture young women who will go on to make a mark on the world or who are making a mark on the world already in many diverse fields. Some of our many recent successes include:

• Recipients of over $1,000,000 worth of scholarships to tertiary institutions at last year’s Prizegiving
• Spirit of Adventure Schools’ Challenge teams 2012-19; winning team 2014, 2017, 2019, 2022
• Over 90% pass rate at all levels of NCEA for the last ten years and often over 95%
• Top scholars in NZ in German, French and Design & Visual Communication Scholarship exams
• Winner of study awards to Germany and France 2003, 2005-12, 2014 – 2018, 2020
• Winners of places to the Colgate University (New York) 2016 on a full Basketball scholarship; University of Texas (Austin) 2008 & 2013, Old Dominion University (Virginia) 2011 and San Diego University 2014, 2015 & 2017 on four year rowing scholarships; Calumet College (Illinois) 2015 on a football scholarship and Allegheny College (Pennsylvania) 2013 on an academic scholarship
• Winner of the regional interschool Debating competition 2015, 2018; runners up 2016-17, 2019 - 2020
• Two members of the NZ Secondary Students’ Choir in 2007/8; four in 2009/10; three in 2011/12 (including co-leader of the choir and lead soprano) three in 2013/14 two in 2017/18 and 2019/20 and one currently
• Teal Voices choir awarded Silver award at national Big Sing finale in 2015 & 2016 and Bronze Award 2010-12, 2019, 2022
• Four members of the NZ Secondary schools orchestra 2017-21 and two members of the national youth orchestra 2019 - 21
• Winners of national Cross Country 2020, 2022; Runners up to national Futsal title 2016 and Basketball title 2014-15
• Winners of Wellington regional Cross country 2020, 2022; Futsal 2019 - 20; Football 2017-20; Hockey 2018 – 20; Rowing 2016, 2020; Netball & Basketball 2015
• National representatives in netball, soccer, handball, basketball, touch rugby, underwater hockey, cross country, kendo, cycling, hockey, swimming, athletics, diving, rowing, aerobics, waka ama and equestrian
• Numerous recipients of the Hillary Challenge of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award