Where girls shine brighter

Every light shines brightly at our all girls school

Woodford House is an all girls school where every girl's light is ignited.

There’s something different about a Woodford House girl. Strength of character, sense of purpose and an understanding of the people around her. More than her grades, her awards and achievements, a Woodford House girl leaves our school with her inner light ignited.

It’s our role to guide every girl so that her personality and potential is revealed. That potential is different for every girl. It may mean academic success, sporting achievements or spiritual growth. We nurture each girl so that her light shines through and shines brighter.

Read about some of our girls and their stories below.

Woodford House is an all girls school where every girl's light is ignited.

There’s something different about a Woodford House girl. Strength of character, sense of purpose and an understanding of the people around her. More than her grades, her awards and achievements, a Woodford House girl leaves our school with her inner light ignited.

It’s our role to guide every girl so that her personality and potential is revealed. That potential is different for every girl. It may mean academic success, sporting achievements or spiritual growth. We nurture each girl so that her light shines through and shines brighter.

Read about some of our girls and their stories below.

Sasha - found her confidence through debating.

“I went from being shy, to a bold debater.”

Sasha Hardie | Year 9 2022

“After living on an island in the Caribbean, my family moved to Havelock North.

My parents wanted me to experience wider opportunities in life and they chose Woodford House for myself and my sister.

I used to be the student who sat back and didn’t like sharing my opinion with a group. That all changed when I joined the Year 7 and 8 debating team at my new School. I found a love of learning about different topics and issues, and even watched the Harvard debating competitions. My teacher gave me great advice and feedback. We lost our first debate. But the second one was a different story and we won. We then went on to win a debating challenge and I was awarded Best Speaker by the adjudicator.

Having the support of my teacher and friends has given me the courage to develop my skill in public speaking and the confidence to have an opinion.”

“I've been guided to discover my strengths.”

Meghan Wuisan | Year 12 2022

“My academic progress is really important to me.

I’m a student who is focused and wants to do well, which is why Woodford House is a great fit for me. The philosophy here is to work hard while finding balance, but absolutely be the best you can. I feel very fortunate that my teachers are as invested in my progress, as I am in myself.

Due to the smaller classes, my teachers can customise my learning to what I need to ensure I’m always challenged.

That gives me a huge sense of accomplishment and helps me to achieve my goals.”

Meghan Wuisan - International student, driven by academia.
Kayleigh Stubbs - growing as a person every day.

“Just like a garden, I'm growing as a person every day.”

Kayleigh Stubbs | Year 12 2022

“Since I started at Woodford House, my focus has shifted from just passing, to doing the best I can.

Being a smaller school, each student is known as an individual and receives more attention. The opportunities placed in front of me are incredible and I love the ability to cherry-pick new things to try. I love to sing and I’m in the Chapel Choir. I’ve also picked up shooting as a hobby and love it!

One of the greatest opportunities for me is the Greenzone, where nature allows me to ground myself. It’s an oasis for me, where I grow beautiful flowers and vegetables and find a lot of positive energy.

Being part of developing the Greenzone has been more than just growing beautiful things. It’s helped me to grow as a person.”

“I found my voice and my confidence.”

Katie Greenwood-Beard | Year 12 2022

“When I first started at Woodford House I was very shy. I loved music and singing, but I thought there was no way I could sing solo.

Luckily, my Performing Arts teacher saw something in me that I didn’t and encouraged me to sing the song ‘Memory’ in front of the whole school.

After that I knew I could sing and I had the confidence do it again. I felt incredibly supported to be the best I can be and give new things a try. I’m now in the Chapel Choir and sometimes sing solo. I’ve also joined Rockquest, National Youth Drama and the debating team.

Having confidence in myself means I have the power to do anything.”

Katie, a student who attends Woodford House
Anna Wilson - strive to be in our 1st XI hockey team

“I can achieve anything when I set goals for myself”

Anna Wilson | Year 11 2022

“I came to Woodford House in Year 7 from a small country school. There wasn’t much choice for sport at my old school, so a raft of options opened up for me to try.

I found that Hockey was my passion and my ultimate goal was to be selected for the 1st XI Hockey team. When the challenge of recovering from a broken leg put the brakes on that, I realised I wanted it even more.

I was invited to join the Woodford House Sports Academy and through the use of strength and conditioning training and amazing coaching, I developed my fitness, strength and skill level. The Academy taught me to be driven and set goals, while maintaining balance. The great news is I was selected for the 1st XI this year and what I’ve learnt has helped me transfer valuable skills to the classroom. My grades have improved too.

Realising my goals on the hockey turf makes everything else feel achievable.”

“I feel happy when I help others to be happy.”

Man Lok Tsang | Year 13 2022

“When I was small, growing up in Hong Kong, I loved to draw and design things, but this wasn’t offered as a subject at my old school.

I found schooling fast and stressful, as I like to learn at my own pace. My Mother suggested I go to school in New Zealand – she had heard about Woodford House.

So here I am years later as a boarder. I live with lots of girls, which has helped me to learn about other people. I love to sew, something I learnt when I arrived at School. It helps me to focus and relax. Through sewing I discovered my passion for helping other people and making many dresses for ‘Dress a Girl’ – a charity established to dress girls in the islands.

Woodford House has helped me understand what giving service is and has inspired me to help others.”

Man Lok Tsang international student from Hong Kong

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