School Introduction

With over 100 years of admirable tradition, Palmerston North Girls’ High School has an outstanding reputation for nurturing personal academic and co-curricular excellence since 1902. The school performs amongst the top girls’ schools in New Zealand and consistently outperforms the national average. With high achievement in the internationally recognized NCEA qualifications, many graduates go on to top New Zealand universities, Ivy League and other well-known international universities with full or partial scholarships.

PNGHS offers a very broad range of subjects in many different disciplines including Business, Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences, Technology, and Sports. In all-girl study environment, students are encouraged to be innovative and bold, to explore and try things that they might otherwise not try in front of boys. Teachers can focus on teaching methodology that best suits girls. Students enjoy custom-tailored learning and instruction. They find much greater freedom and confidence to express themselves and pursue their interests.

Small class size of 25 – 30 allows personalized education and encourages students to support each other in achieving their educational goals. Teacher aides in subject classes and peer tutoring are available for all students. PNGHS International Office is open during school hours and offers support for all kinds of problems, including academic enquiries, homesickness or sometimes for students to just catch a breath between intense study hours. PNGHS is also contactable 24/7 in case of emergencies.

At PNGHS, students have the opportunity to focus on their study, and participate in a wide range of activities to develop their leadership skills. They also learn to respect and celebrate cultural diversity, learn to listen, be proactive, be patient, flexible and assertive when dealing with a variety of people. These are essential and marketable skills that will be helpful in their future as successful tertiary students, citizens and potential leaders of the world.

School Advantages

• Smaller classes, individualised attention and specialised English classes for international students.

• Choice of a variety of subjects to specialise and focus on your future career.

• Literacy and numeracy programme.

• Extensive variety of co-curricular activities and sports programmes to enhance your sporting skills.

• Impressive facilities. Student and parent portal access for up to date newsletters, notices and information.

• Academic Pathways: well connected to tertiary institutions and research centres - (Massey University, UCOL, IPU)

• Dedicated and personalised international student support and pastoral care.

• Caring, nurturing and quality homestay environment in a safe and quiet city providing affordable living.

School Curriculum

• Choice of academic pathways. Students can choose to study university approved subjects towards gaining National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) as well as vocational courses.

• Extensive academic opportunities and excellent academic support programmes.

• Excellent academic results - 95% of students achieved Level 2 in 2015. 55% were endorsed with Merit or Excellence.

The eight essential learning areas described in the New Zealand Curriculum include English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Health and Physical Education, the Arts, Technology and Languages. Over the last three of these learning areas, Year 9 and 10 students select from a range of option subjects.

Year 9 students select four half-year option subjects; one from the Arts, one from the Languages, one from Technology and a fourth option from any of the above three learning areas. Year 10 students select any two of the full year option subjects listed for Year 10 under the arts, technology, languages and commerce. Year 11 all students study six subjects - English, Mathematics, Science and any three other subjects from the Level 1 NCEA lists. Year 12 students study six subjects - English and five option subjects. Preliminary applications to university rely on Year 12 NCEA Level 2 results. Year 13 students choose any five NCEA Level 3 subjects. University Approved subjects contribute credits for the award of University Entrance.

School Location

238 Fitzherbert Avenue, West End, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand

Website: http://www.pnghs.school.nz/16/