St Matthew's Collegiate School,
founded in 1914, is an integrated Years 7-13 school, situated in five hectares of park like
surroundings in a quiet, well established area of Masterton, about 90 kilometres north of
Wellington. The school offers day and boarding facilities from Year 7 with co-education, in
association with Rathkeale College, in Years 12 and 13.
St Matthew's is one of three schools now under the proprietorship of the Trinity Schools' Trust Board. The other two schools are Hadlow Preparatory School and Rathkeale College.
In May 1992, St Matthew's was integrated into the state system. The school retains its traditional values continuing to provide an education with a special character.
Definition of the special character deals with the school's affiliation with the Anglican Church. As witness to this, an ecumenical Religious Studies programme is part of the curriculum and a strong moral code based on Christian values is upheld. Pupils must take part in the worshipping life of the school.
Another aspect of the special character lies in the shared activities of day girls and boarders.
Beside the academic, all pupils are expected to participate fully in cultural, sporting and
recreational activities. So involved do both become, in fact, that a day girl might be
described as "a boarder who sleeps at home".
To this is added the involvement in school life of the school's community. St Matthew's has always enjoyed an immense amount of support and goodwill from its Old Girls, Friends, Parents and Staff.
Philosophically
the Boards are committed to single sex education in Years 7-11. After that co-education is
seen as having important social advantages. At the Years 12 and 13 the two Boards of Trustees
from St Matthew's and Rathkeale bring their students together in an educational joint venture
known as Senior College. This is located on the Rathkeale campus, 7km from Masterton.
The Board believes, single sex education has positive advantages for girls in particular. During puberty and adolescence girls benefit from the greater freedom to be themselves. In these years they acquire self-esteem, establish their values and goals and become independent thinkers.
St Matthew's has always looked to produce the "all rounder". It supports parents' and employers' calls for a general education which allows girls to adapt to changing circumstances and demands. With few exceptions they will go on to some form of tertiary education.
The Trinity Schools Trust Board continues as the proprietors to be responsible for the school buildings, grounds and the boarding establishments. An elected Board of Trustees has responsibility with the Principal for the governance of the school. Within the Integration Agreement with the Ministry of Education, the special character of the school has been guaranteed ensuring a sound foundation for future growth and development.
