Junior School
St Cuthbert’s Junior School – where our youngest students start their remarkable lives.
Every successful journey starts with a well-chosen first step. For our youngest students, it all starts here, at St Cuthbert’s Junior School, where we nurture young minds and hearts in a warm caring environment. Inside these doors, students will find their voice, discover their passions, develop resilience, and build the confidence to explore – all while forming wonderful friendships.
“There’s something magical about watching a shy five-year-old transform into a confident student who knows her voice matters. We support every girl to grow in her personal power, so she feels confident to step up, speak up, and shine.”
Fe Tomich, Head of Junior School
Curiosity and a Love of Learning
Our enriching Junior School programme lays the foundation for future success, guided by expert teaching and a strong values-based culture of kindness, belonging, respect, and collaboration, that guides students toward becoming their best selves.
Research shows the lasting impact of high-quality early education and the academic benefits of an all-girls environment, and we’re proud to offer a learning experience that nurtures confident, capable learners ready to thrive.
Explore her Potential
We offer every student the opportunity to explore her full potential – academically, socially, and creatively – in a space where she truly shines.
Our Junior School Difference
High-Performance Learning Environment
Our approach is underpinned by the High-Performance Learning (HPL) framework – grounded in neuroscience and global best practice – to cultivate deep thinking and academic excellence.
Structured literacy and numeracy programmes lay strong foundations and measurable progress. Students also get to experience a range of specialist subjects – including Music, French, Physical Education, and visual and performing arts – through carefully curated, age-appropriate programmes.
Small class sizes ensure every girl is seen, heard, and supported. Our dedicated teachers, assisted by learning support staff and additional educators, provide targeted instruction while maintaining low student-to-teacher ratios.
Through this framework, we deliver responsive, focused teaching where each girl is challenged, supported, and encouraged to think independently and confidently.
Deeply Integrated Innovation & Technology Curriculum
We infuse the learning experience with a sense of awe, discovery and wonder.
Anchored in our curriculum by the ‘i-Explore’ STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths) programme, students explore robotics, coding, computational thinking, and engineering challenges that develop critical problem-solving skills.
As an Apple Distinguished School, we’re committed to innovation and the thoughtful use of technology. Devices are used as tools to enrich hands-on, experiential learning – not replace it – striking a healthy balance that prepares students for a digital future.
We explicitly teach digital citizenship, ensuring our girls develop the skills and awareness to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.
A World-Class Campus Full of Possibilities
The St Cuthbert’s campus gives Junior School students access to world-class facilities, including a Performing Arts Centre, aquatic complex, and a dedicated Junior School gym. Purpose-built playgrounds cater to different age groups, creating safe, engaging spaces for exploration and play – all within a single, connected environment.
Connections with our Senior School
A key strength of being part of a Year 0–13 College is the strong connection enjoyed between Junior and Senior Schools.
Senior students are visible, active role models – attending Junior School events, mentoring as learning buddies, and engaging daily in the playground. These authentic relationships foster a deep sense of belonging and school spirit, helping our girls step forward with clarity, confidence, and a strong sense of what lies ahead.
As girls prepare to move from Year 6 into Senior School, our comprehensive transition programme ensures they feel confident, well-equipped, and excited for the next chapter of their learning.
Pohutukawa Learning Centre
Our Pohutukawa Learning Centre, led by a registered educational psychologist, works with classroom educators, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists who regularly visit the school to ensure we’re meeting each student’s unique needs on site.
Education Outside the Classroom
Our EOTC programme truly sets St Cuthberts apart. With Cornwall Park on our doorstep, outdoor learning is a natural extension of our curriculum, providing real-world experiences that develop resilience and independence.
From Year 3, students begin EOTC, starting with an overnight camp at a boutique riding school and progressing to more adventurous experiences as their confidence and independence grows. Our EOTC offering culminates in the transformative Year 10 experience at our Kahunui Campus, and our Year 12 Leadership Retreat.
“When girls believe they can achieve what they set out to do, and feel capable, then everything flows from that. We see the positive impact this has on the girls’ relationships and their wellbeing. At St Cuthbert’s it all starts with a strong sense of self.”
Fe Tomich, Head of Junior School
Explore our Junior School
From your daughter’s very first day she will feel at home in our caring environment.
Meet our Team
We are proud to attract and retain the best educators in the sector who foster a nurturing and high-performing learning environment. Our team are led by Head of Junior School Felecia Tomich and Deputy Head of Junior School, Nikki Boyens.
In addition to our dedicated and talented teaching team, Felecia and Nikki are supported by our experienced Junior School Lead Team.
Fe Tomich
Fe is the Head of the Junior School. She has a Bachelor of Education and a Masters in Special Education from The University of Auckland. Fe also has a Post Graduate Certificate in Educational Psychology. Prior to her role as Head of Junior School, Fe has worked across multiple year levels as a teacher in London, Kings Prep, and at Kohia Terrace School.
Nicola Boyens
Is the Deputy Head of Junior School, bringing over 30 years of experience in the education sector. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Teaching and a Diploma in TESOL, from the University of Auckland. Nicola has extensive experience in early years education, with particular expertise in supporting children’s transition to formal schooling. Nicola leads our High Performance Learning and Student Coaching programmes.
Rachel Busch – Head of Pohutukawa Learning Centre
Rachel is Head of our Junior School Pohutukawa Learning Centre. She has extensive experience teaching in the primary sector and is a registered educational psychologist. Rachel brings her experience and passion to supporting our neurodivergent learners and classroom teachers tailoring learning to the needs of our girls.
Whitney McLachlan Year 4-6 Dean
Whitney brings over a decade of teaching experience and a deep passion for fostering a love of learning in every child. With a background specialising in literacy and a particular fondness for reading and writing, I believe in the power of language to inspire confidence, curiosity, and connection. At the heart of everything I do are the students themselves. Pastoral care is central to my approach; I am dedicated to ensuring that every girl feels happy, supported, and able to thrive both academically and personally. My goal is to create a school environment where every student feels valued and empowered to reach her full potential.
Sarah Litchfield – Year 0-3 Dean
Sarah has extensive experience working with students in the early years of school across different contexts, including as an RTLB. She is passionate about supporting students to build a strong foundation in their numeracy and literacy skills. Sarah also loves helping students build their confidence and find their strengths as they explore the sciences and physical education, and enjoys sharing her love of the performing and visual arts.
Victoria Mauala -Leads Junior School i-Explore Programme
Victoria is a highly experienced classroom teacher who has trained to the highest standard of Apple Distinguished digital learning. She is a registered Apple Learning Coach and works alongside students and teachers to curate an authentic, considered and deliberate use of digital learning tools to enhance learning across the College.
Sally Chudzynski – Leads our SERVICE and Values Education Programme
Sally teaches in the Huia Whānau and leads our Service and Values Education Programme. She is passionate about helping our girls develop a deep understanding of our school values and live out our motto, By Love Serve, in their everyday actions. Sally has introduced a number of meaningful initiatives across the Junior School, including Year 5 visits to Communities Feeding Communities and our girls packing their own Foodbanks to support families in need. She meets every Wednesday with the Class Representatives to discuss ideas and initiatives, and she writes weekly newsletter blogs to share our service journey with families. Sally has also established weekly Values Certificates chosen by class leaders and ensures our assemblies consistently celebrate and reflect our school values.
Kath Horsnell- Lead teacher for Numeracy
Kath joined the Junior School in 2025. An experienced classroom teacher and school leader, she brings expertise and enthusiasm to her role as Junior School Numeracy Leader. Guided by the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum and the science of learning, Kath supports teachers to implement best practice in mathematics. A former RTLB, she has helped teachers meet the needs of neurodiverse learners, focusing on making maths accessible and engaging for all. Recently awarded a Specialist Diploma of Teaching, Kath strives to create fun, hands-on learning experiences that build confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of mathematics.
Latest Junior School News
Evergreen Ties- December 2025
In this edition we welcome our new Principal Charlotte Avery, launch our new SERVICE Values and highlight our Junior School Differences.
Running with Heart at Whole School Cross Country
Last Thursday and Friday students put their best foot forward at cross country in a great display of grit and determination.
What a Remarkable Day Celebrating our Epsom Campus Centenary!
Today has been so special, bringing together our entire school community to commemorate this milestone. It began with a centenary service including moving speeches, musical performances and a tree planting…
We’re celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Epsom Campus.
2025 marks a major milestone for St Cuthbert’s – watch the video to find out more. https://vimeo.com/1071573486
The Serious Business of Play
By Charlotte Avery “Ask children what their favourite subject is, and you’ll often get a cheeky smile and the answer, ‘Lunchtime!’ They grin because they know it’s not really a…
Evergreen Ties- October 2024
In this edition we welcome our new Principal Charlotte Avery, launch our new SERVICE Values and highlight our Junior School Differences.
Come and Visit Us!
We’d love to welcome you and your daughter to St Cuthbert’s Junior School. Visit us to see engaged students learning together, caring teachers in action, and the warm community that could soon be your daughter’s second home. It’s the perfect place for her remarkable life to begin.