Queen Margaret College, Wellington

Queen Margaret College is an independent girls’ school in Wellington, New Zealand, providing education for students from Year 1 to 13 with a co-educational Pre-School. It was established in 1919 as an inner-city, Presbyterian girls’ college. History The site of the college was originally a private residence for Thomas Coldham Williams. The residence was an Italianate building, which was designed by Charles Tringham. Williams died in 1912 and in 1915, the Presbyterian Church took the lease of the property and founded Scots College. In 1919 the college moved to a larger site in Strathmore and Queen Margaret College was established on the site. This original building is known as Queen Margaret College Tower and is registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand. The School's namesake is Queen Margaret, who was married to King Malcolm. He features in Macbeth, being one of Duncan's sons, who flees after his father was murdered. Students are organised into five houses – Berwick (blue & silver), Braemar (blue & yellow), Glamis (red & blue), Lochleven (red, green and black), and Stirling (black & yellow). They are named after castles in Scotland, a nod towards the Scottish heritage upon which the school was built. Queen Margaret College has links with the international body of Margaret Schools and Independent Schools of New Zealand. Enrolment As a private school, Queen Margaret College charges tuition fees to cover costs. For the 2025 school year, tuition fees for New Zealand residents are $21,230 per year for students in years 1 to 6, $26,660 per year for students in years 7 and 8, $27,300 per year for students in years 9 and 10 and $28,000 per year for students in years 11 and above. As of March 2026, Queen Margaret College has roll of 739 students, of which 48 (6.5%) identify as Māori. As a private school, the school is not assigned an Equity Index. Curriculum Queen Margaret College offers the International Baccalaureate. The school is the largest, independent girls’ school in Wellington and the only girls’ school in the lower North Island offering a dual qualification pathway of either the internationally recognised IB Diploma or New Zealand's credential, The National Certificate of Education (NCEA). Extra-curricular The students have numerous opportunities for involvement, high-level performance and leadership through sporting and cultural activities and extensive exchange programmes with sister schools. The college has over 100 sports teams participating in a wide range of sports. There are options for social and competitive levels. Students can join a number of musical groups and participate in the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival, debating, theatre-sports and the annual joint musical production with Scots College. Queen Margaret College also has an extensive exchange programme with sister schools from Chile, Tahiti, France, Australia, China, Europe, US and Japan encouraging language development and global citizenship. Facilities The Tower Block is located at the centre of the school learning environment. The Hobson Complex was opened in 2013 which includes a purpose-built gym and fitness room. The school also has an auditorium for music and performances. A new purpose-built co-educational pre-school was opened in 2015. In 2018, the Queen Margaret boarding house was established, capable of housing 40 students. Notable alumnae Hilary Barry – journalist and television personality Kirsty Gunn – novelist and writer of short stories Stella Maxwell – fashion model Antonia Prebble – 1999–2001, actress Helen Small – 1970–1982, English Literature professor at Oxford University Shirley Smith – lawyer Hayley Sproull – comedian, television presenter, radio host and Lochiel marcher Ruby Tew – 2008–2011, Olympic rower Rae Weston (1941–2014), professor of banking, and first woman professor at Massey University Community Queen Margaret College's community includes a very active Old Girls' Association & Alumni Office, Foundation Trust and Parents' Association, alongside a Community Business Directory. References Further reading Gambrill, M. D. (Mollie) (1969). A History of Queen Margaret College. Wright & Carman, Queen Margaret College. External links Official website School history Community Business Directory