St Cuthbert’s General
Scholarships
St Cuthbert’s offers a range of General Scholarships – Boarding, Performing Arts and General Excellence. Applications have closed for 2027 places.
2027 Scholarship Timeline
- Scholarship applications closed on Friday 27 March 2026 at 5pm.
- Scholarship examinations will take place on Wednesday 22 April 2026.
- Applicants applying for a Performing Arts Scholarship will be emailed with information about their audition.
- All applicants, both 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.
About St Cuthbert’s Scholarships
St Cuthbert’s offers a range of General Scholarships – General Excellence, Boarding and Performing Arts. Applications are invited from talented students for entry in 2027. Please read the criteria before commencing your application.
- All Scholarships listed here 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 Scholarship (from any of the offered scholarships including Academic, Boarding, Performing Arts, General Excellence and Endeavour).
- Scholarships are awarded on the results of a competitive examination and a personal interview for short-listed candidates.
- Active participation in co-curricular activities, overall ability and previous school achievements are considered.
- Candidates will sit examinations in English and Mathematics.
- Based on the results of the Scholarship exams and application, a short-list for interview will be established.
- To be awarded the maximum value of the Scholarship you will need to complete our financial needs assessment.
- There is an annual review of the performance of the Scholarship holder against attitude and commitment criteria.
- If there are no scholarship applicants who meet the set criteria, St Cuthbert’s reserves the right not to award a scholarship for a particular year.
- The decision of the Principal is final, and no correspondence will be entered in to.
- Please read the specific criteria for each scholarship listed below.
Performing Arts Scholarship
Trust Board Performing Arts Scholarships 2026
- For entry to Year 9 2027
- One scholarship is available
- For talented Dance, Drama, or Music students
- The successful student will be required to participate fully in the cultural and performance opportunities at the College
- This scholarship has a maximum value of 50% of tuition fees
Criteria
Dance
Demonstrated leadership, technical and creative excellence. Examples include:
- Technical mastery in diverse styles: Advanced skills in culturally significant forms like ballet, kapa haka, hip-hop, or contemporary dance.
- Innovative choreography and storytelling: Original choreography blending genres to convey meaningful narratives.
- Leadership and collaboration: Leading and working effectively within teams to achieve shared goals.
- The successful student will be required to take Dance as a subject option from Year 9 to 13.
- Applicants will need to submit two contrasting dance performances for their audition.
Drama
Demonstrated technical and creative excellence. Examples of technical excellence may include:
- Significant experience in Theatre or Screen
- Distinction or Honours in Trinity College Speech & Drama exams
- Significant cultural performance experience e.g., Kapa Haka
- The successful student will be required to take Drama as a subject option from Year 9 to 13.
- Applicants will need to submit two contrasting drama performances for their audition.
Music
Demonstrated technical and musical excellence in an orchestral or band instrument (not voice or piano).
- Preferably competent in two instruments (second instrument may be voice)
- The successful student will be required to take Music as an academic subject option for Year 9 to 13
- Applicants will need to submit two contrasting music performances for their audition
Boarding Scholarships
Trust Board Boarding Scholarships 2027
- For entry to Year 9 and Year 11 2027
- The student must live at a distance greater than 30km from the College
- Stong academic ability and record of general excellence
- Active participation in a broad range of school and co-curricular activities
- A genuine desire to participate fully in the College’s boarding community
- The Year 9 2027 boarding scholarship has a maximum value of 100% of boarding fees per annum.
- The Year 11 2027 boarding scholarship has a maximum value of 50% of boarding fees.
- Tuition fees are NOT included in Boarding Scholarship
General Excellence Scholarships
Kathleen Goulding Old Girls’ Association Scholarship 2027
- For entry to Year 9 2027
- Strong academic ability and a record of general excellence
- Active participation in a broad range of school or community activities
- Meaningful service involvement, demonstrating commitment to helping others
- Maximum value of 75% of tuition fees
Margaret Beale Scholarship 2027
- For entry to Year 9 2027
- Strong academic ability and a record of general excellence
- High-level sporting ability with national or regional representation, or expecting to be soon
- Active participation in a broad range of school or co-curricular acitivties
- Applicants must show: An outstanding attitude, strong commitment to their chosen sport, genuine sportsmanship
- Maximum value of 100% of tuition fees
Academic Scholarships – not available for 2027
Macdonald Junior Academic Scholarship – Not available
- Not available for 2027
Macdonald Senior Academic Scholarship 2026 – Not available
- Not available for 2027