People often say why a single sex girls’ school? Every type of school offers unique opportunities to its students and has strengths. In girls’ single sex education we focus specifically on the needs of girls and of our gender diverse students who choose to be in a single sex girls’ school.

We also belong to the Australasian Girls’ Schools' Alliance which has now merged with the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (ICGS). This new powerful global alliance advocates for girls’ schools worldwide, connects and collaborates globally and is dedicated to educating and empowering girls and young women. The following comments are from a recent Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia publication:

“The research evidence is gathering that women in single-sex schools benefit and benefit significantly. The real world is one where girls and women are still not equal. Educating girls in a safe and supportive environment allows them to grow and aspire to be strong, bold and fearless women who will demand inclusion, stand up for equality in all aspects of society and believe everything is possible. Girls’ schools create learning environments and experiences which shape girls’ self-concept, helping them to overcome gender biases and stereotypes that are rife in our society. In every lesson, every programme and every opportunity – from leadership positions and girl-centric wellbeing programmes, to single sex physical education lessons and sporting activities – single-sex schools bolster girls’ confidence and self-esteem. Girls also achieve excellent results in other school models but in single sex girls’ every aspect of school life is designed and tailored for girls.

Her academic success: higher confidence and better outcomes

A groundbreaking Australian study “Hands Up for Gender Equality” found that girls educated in single sex schools are equally as confident as boys educated in single sex schools. In other words, the frequently reported gender difference in confidence levels between men and women in the workplace does not exist for girls educated in girls’ schools.

Her career: no limits to what she can achieve

Enjoyment of science and maths subjects and activities like coding and robotics inspire girls to pursue careers in STEMM subjects (science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine). Graduates in girls’ schools in New Zealand and Australia are significantly more likely to enter male dominated fields like engineering and construction.

Her wellbeing: comfortable with her body image and being herself

Raising a confident, self-assured daughter who is comfortable with her body image is not an easy task these days. Single sex girls’ schools encourage improved self-esteem and psychological and social wellbeing in adolescent girls.

Her safety : there’s less bullying and greater respect

The incidence of bullying for girls in single-sex schools is markedly lower than for girls in co-educational education across all six of PISA’s measures of bullying – including being made fun of, being the subject of nasty rumours, and being pushed or hit – with a difference of up to 11 percentage points.

Her voice: there’s no place for inequality

Sexism and harassment are commonplace across all levels of society. In a girls’ school, girls are intentionally equipped with the knowledge and skills required to overcome social and cultural gender biases and in doing so actively break the stereotypical norms that define women and society. “

At Christchurch Girls’ High School / Te Kura o Hine Waiora we are proud to say we work hard to do all these things and we look forward to the benefits being part of a global alliance will bring as well as what we have to contribute to girls and women in education who are less fortunate than we are.

Ngā mihi

Christine O’Neill

Principal