International

Code of Practice

St Matthew’s Collegiate School has agreed to observe and be bound by The Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice published by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

You can see a copy of the code here:

There is more information about the Code of Practice, including summaries in different languages here.

There are some videos from NZQA that can help you to understand the Code better here.

ERO

Please find a copy of our most recent ERO report here.

Complaints Procedure for International Students

Please see here for information about our Complaints Procedure for international students.

Health & Travel Insurance

The Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice requires all international students to have appropriate insurance covering:

(a) the student’s travel:

1. to and from New Zealand; and
2. within New Zealand; and
3. if the travel is part of the course, outside New Zealand; and

(b) medical care in New Zealand, including diagnosis, prescription, surgery, and hospitalisation; and

(c) repatriation or expatriation of the student as a result of serious illness or injury, including cover of travel costs incurred by family members assisting repatriation or expatriation; and

(d) death of the student, including cover of:

1. travel costs of family members to and from New Zealand; and
2. costs of repatriation or expatriation of the body; and
3. funeral expenses.

You will need to provide your insurance documents, or you can purchase insurance through the school.  You are responsible for any medical expenses that are not covered by insurance.

Visa information

Full details of visa and permit requirements and advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying are available through New Zealand Immigration and can be viewed here:

We offer girls-only classes from Years 7 to 11, and our girls in Years 12 and 13 attend Senior College, where they have their classes with the boys from Rathkeale College. We offer ESOL classes to students who need additional support with their English, and this is personalised to students’ needs. Classes are small so teachers give academic support and attention to all students, who achieve excellent examination results. You can see a summary of our examination results here.

There is a list of the subjects you can choose from here. 

All students in Years 11-13 do NCEA assessments in a variety of subjects. NCEA (the National Certificate of Educational Achievement) is the main qualification offered to secondary school students in New Zealand, and comprises Level 1 (Year 11), Level 2 (Year 12) and Level 3 (Year 13). It is recognised by universities both in New Zealand and overseas.  See here for more information.

The wellbeing of all our students is extremely important to us. We know that our international students may suffer from homesickness and will need lots of support to settle into school life.

All new students are paired up with a New Zealand student ‘buddy’, who will show them around the school and help them in lessons. As we are a small school with small classes, the teachers get to know the students quickly.

Our international students are well supported through regular contact with the Director of International students, as well with as their ESOL teacher and Year Level Dean.

In the boarding house the matrons take the time to get to know the students and make sure they have everything they need, with overall support from the Director of Boarding. The older students in the boarding house are kind and welcoming and can answer any questions.

Students who need additional support can see our School Counsellor, who has an office in the boarding house. Counselling services are confidential unless a student is a risk to themselves or someone else.

ST MATTHEW’S COLLEGIATE

FEES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 2026

Payment terms – fees

Fee invoices are sent to parents in October for the following school year. It is recommended that fees are paid by the middle of November to allow time for the processing of visas and other documentation.

Payment is required before an Offer of a Place for International Student form can be completed.

Bank account details for fees only

International fees should be paid directly into the following bank account, referencing the student’s name.

Bank:                           ASB

Branch:                       Masterton, New Zealand

Account Name:          St Matthew’s Board of Trustees

Account Number:       12-3400-0006106-00

Swift code:                  ASBBNZ2AXXX

Additional charges

Additional charges are disbursed to the student’s account and emailed to the parents monthly. This account will itemise details of all the charges and should be paid to the school by the 20^th of the month following the invoice.

Please let us know if you wish to pay by credit card so that we can make arrangements. Alternatively, we can help students to open a local bank account in which parents can deposit a lump sum at the start of the year to cover disbursements. This should be $5000-$8000, depending on the student’s year level.

Additional charges should be paid directly into the following bank account, referencing the student’s name.

Bank:                           ASB

Branch:                       Masterton, New Zealand

Account Name:          TSTB St Matthew’s Collegiate School

Account Number:       12-3400-0005875-07

Swift code:                  ASBBNZ2AXXX

Please note that bank charges are your responsibility.

If you have any further enquiries regarding fees and other charges, please contact the Director of International Students, Mrs Lucy Clearwater –  lucy.clearwater@trinityschools.nz

Refund Conditions

1. To be eligible for a refund an application must be made in writing to the Board of Trustees/Proprietors by the parent or legal guardian stating clearly the reason for the withdrawal of the student.
2. If the withdrawal is made prior to the student coming to New Zealand a full refund shall be made less $750 administration fee.
3. There will be no refund if a request to withdraw is made after the student has reached the midpoint of her programme of study in New Zealand except in the case of serious illness of the student or her close family.

In determining any refund the Board of Trustees/Proprietors will take into consideration the special circumstances of the withdrawing student and the costs to the school in providing tuition, costs incurred in employing staff, providing facilities and payments made to other providers.

No refund will be made to any student who transfers to another school or educational institution or is asked to leave because of misbehaviour, poor attendance or violation of the contract with the school.

Our entire refund policy is available here.