Up to four Endeavour Scholarships are awarded each year to students of Māori and/or Pasifika descent who are joining us in Year 7 and/or Year 9. These scholarships provide support right through her school years. Applications have now closed for places in Year 7 and Year 9 2027.
2027 Scholarship Timeline
- Applications closed on Friday 27 March 2026 at 5pm.
- Scholarship examinations will take place on Wednesday 22 April 2026.
- Successful and unsuccessful, will be notified of the outcome of their application by email.
- Personal interviews will be held for candidates who are short-listed in late May 2026.
Endeavour Scholarship criteria
Students should be actively participating in their culture and able to share their skills and knowledge with the wider St Cuthbert’s community. The student must be motivated and achieving well at her local school. Active participation in cultural activities, overall ability and previous school achievements are considered.
- Open to talented students of Māori or Pasifika descent.
- Scholarships are awarded on the results of a competitive examination and a personal interview for short-listed candidates.
- Strong academic ability and a record of general excellence.
- Active participation in a broad range of school and co-curricular activities.
- Active interest and participation in cultural activities.
- Successful students should be able to contribute their cultural skills, knowledge, and leadership to the College community.
- Candidates will sit examinations in English and Mathematics.
- Based on the results of the Scholarship examination and application, a short-list for interview will be established.
- The value of each Scholarship is a minimum of 25% of tuition fees each year, for the duration of the student’s St Cuthbert’s education. Greater support, up to the maximum value of 100% of tuition fees and provision for associated costs, is available if financial need is demonstrated. An assessment of financial position is undertaken by an evaluator independent of the College, at no cost, if you choose to apply for greater financial assistance.
- There is an annual review of the performance of the Scholarship holder against attitude and commitment criteria. Students are expected to participate in and share their culture with the College community.
- These Scholarships are open to prospective students only (not current St Cuthbert’s students). Students must be New Zealand citizens or hold New Zealand residency visas.
- You can only apply for one St Cuthbert’s Scholarship.
- In the event of there being no candidates, who reach a sufficiently high standard, scholarships may not be awarded.
- The decision of the Principal is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
- To apply for a Scholarship please ensure that you complete the application form and include all items on the checklist. Applications can be submitted at any time before the closing date. You will receive an acknowledgement of the receipt of your application by email.
Endeavour Scholars’ Stories
Breeze Leonard
Kia ora, ko Breeze Leonard tōku ingoa. I was an Endeavour student from 2007–2013. To sum up my experience as an endeavour at St Cuthbert’s College I would use the kupu Māori ‘puawai’ which means to flourish. The school offered me a safe environment to thrive and excel in the world of academics while still maintaining my mana as a Māori student.
The Endeavour Programme is a sisterhood that creates lifelong friendships and a strong support system. I am now a leader in the primary education sector and have gone on to obtain my Bachelor’s Degree in Primary Teaching, a Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Leadership and a Diploma in Te Reo Māori Language Fluency.
Ngā mihi nunui ki te kura o St Cuthbert’s for providing me with the tools and skills to be a life long learner and achieve my own personal success.
Julianna Langitupu
Fakaalofa lahi kia mutolu oti. Ko e higoa haaku ko Julianna Lagitupu.
My Endeavour experience began in 2021 when I first joined St Cuthbert’s College as a Year 7 student. Coming from a decile 1 public primary school (Pt England School), this change was huge for me. At the time, I hadn’t fully appreciated how lucky I was to have such an opportunity. All I knew was that my new school would be three times bigger than my old school, and that all my classmates would be girls. The first few weeks of school were a bit chaotic. But it was okay. I wasn’t alone. I had three other Endeavour girls who were awarded the same scholarship as me: Mia, Tavina, and Izzy.
Now, that I am in year 11, I see how much this experience has set me up for a great future. I’ve received a great education and have developed connections with other intelligent and like-minded students, from whom I learn from every day. Not to mention the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that are offered, such as the one-month camp (Kahunui) in Year 10! I’m deeply grateful to those who helped me along the way. What I’ve learnt is that it is important to take pride in your culture, hold onto your values, and be proud of who you are.
I’m so proud to be an Endeavour Scholarship recipient, and I hope that one day, when I achieve my goal of becoming a successful businesswoman and entrepreneur, I will be able to give back to my school, family, and local community.
Savannah Tafau-Levy
Talofa lava,
My name is Savannah Tafau-Levy and I was an Endeavour Scholarship recipient at St Cuthbert’s College between 2007-2013.
Since leaving school, I studied a Bachelor of Communications majoring in Journalism in Melbourne, Australia, worked in sporting jobs including rugby league, hosted a TV show on Sky Sport to now working at New Zealand Rugby which has a portfolio that spans across community rugby & high-performance Comms. As a Media Manager, I have served the Kiwi Ferns at the Rugby League World Cup 2021 in England, and last year was fortunate to be with the Māori All Blacks. In 2025, I’ve been given the greatest honour to serve our mana wāhine, the Black Ferns, as their Media Manager. We are working towards defending our title at the World Cup in England this August.
The Endeavour Scholarship was key to unlocking the many opportunities that I’ve had in my career so far. I reflect back on the 11-year-old girl in her oversized green tartan uniform, who had no idea what her future held and I find comfort in knowing that all her dreams came true. I would love to tell her that everything was going to be fine.
I was brought up in Ōtara, south Auckland, an area built on resilience and persistence. I truly believe I took those attributes with me to St Cuth’s and school enhanced what I already had. St Cuthbert’s taught me how to work hard, thrive under pressure, and it created a competitive drive with in myself to continuously improve among my peers. However, the most underrated skills St Cuth’s taught me was how to use a diary & how to touch type in Year 7. It surprises me now how many rangatahi I meet who don’t know how to use a diary or see the value in it. This skill has taught me time management, my diary has helped me at uni & at every job I’ve ever worked at. Time is the most valuable gift, managing your time teaches you how to respect people’s time.
Lastly, school taught me how to stay grounded in who I was. We were given the chance to express who we were in our cultural groups — I participated in kapa haka, Cook Island group & Samoan group where I met so many of my friends. I’m grateful St Cuth’s gave us that opportunity.
It helped us showcase who we were which translated into my adulthood — I’m a proud Samoan woman who knows how much of an asset my culture is in any space I walk into. I hope any young Māori or Pasifika on the fence of applying can take this learning away too.