A Gift of Legacy
The days spent at school, the friendships that are forged and the learning and growth that happens in those precious school years leaves a lasting impression on an individual. We know that many of our alumni want to recognise the exceptional education that St Cuthbert’s has provided them or their family member, and have a belief in continuing that legacy for generations to come.
St Cuthbert’s would like to acknowledge and thank you for considering leaving a gift in your Will. It is a very personal decision, and we know how important it is to discuss this with your loved ones.
Message from Leigh Melville
St Cuthbert’s is close to my heart; I have worn many different hats over the years, and I have been proud to do so. As a multi-generational St Cuthbert’s family, we all recognise the importance of the College in our lives, and the quality of education provided. For that reason, I was very happy to leave a gift in my Will to St Cuthbert’s. Sharing my love of art is a big part of my life and I decided to gift a few special pieces as well as a sum which I know will support students in the years to come.
“If you have ever considered making a gift in your will, I encourage you to join me.”
Leigh Melville (Parton, 1990), Trust Board Chair
Your Legacy Remembered
One of the joys in life is helping others. At St Cuthbert’s we call it By Love Serve, our school motto of over 100 years which is still ever-present and entwined within the St Cuthbert’s experience. We know many former students go on to lead lives in the service of others – whether that be for your family and loved ones, in a professional role, through volunteer work, or finding those little moments to help someone in need.
By Love Serve is at the core of all of us, a motto that so many of us hold dear for the rest of our lives. By Love Serve is not unique to an individual, but it is unique to St Cuthbert’s and what we offer, which is delivering an exceptional and well-rounded education, to grow the next generation of leaders and change makers.
Leaving a gift in your Will is your opportunity to support young women to be the best version of themselves with the ability to do incredible things in the world. Making a gift to St Cuthbert’s in your Will ensures we can continue to deliver this vision. You may not know the person helped, but the ripple effect of a life positively changed by education creates a better society that benefits us all.
St Cuthbert’s has a strong history of philanthropy seen through the generosity of former staff, parents and Old Girls who have left a gift in their Wills. One of our first gifts in 1927 was from the Runciman family who made a bequest for the building of a heated swimming pool.
Three Easy Steps
Choosing to remember the College with a gift in your Will is the perfect way to give in thanks, in memory, or in celebration, and to support the generations of young women to come
1. Contact Us
Call St Cuthbert’s to discuss leaving a gift in your Will and ask any questions you may have: 09 610 5196
2. Legal Advice
Contact a financial/legal advisor and ask them to create a Will or make an amendment to your existing Will.
3. Let Us Know
It is your choice to share this decision as your Will is private. However, we would value the opportunity to recognise your contribution. Knowing about legacy gifts helps us plan for the future.
Giving the gift that is right for you
Everyone is different, and so are their circumstances, so the gift you leave must be right for you. Every gift, regardless of its value, is deeply appreciated. There are several ways you can leave a gift in your Will and your lawyer can discuss these with you.
We will always follow your instructions on how you wish to be recognised, always maintaining absolute confidentiality and, if requested, anonymity.
Gift a specified sum or percentage of estate
Give a specific amount of money or percentage of your estate. This type of gift is sometimes called a ‘pecuniary gift’ and allows you to nominate a specific amount of money or percentage of an estate to gift to St Cuthbert’s.
Leave a particular item or items
Leave a particular item or items such as property, land, works of art, jewellery, shares etc. It needs to be specifically named in your Will and left to St Cuthbert’s College.
Leave a Residue of your Estate
Leave a residue of your estate after specific items and/or monetary gifts (if any) have been given. Here you make a gift to St Cuthbert’s College of what is left over (or a percentage of the residue) in your estate after all expenses and debts have been settled and your loved ones have been provided for.
Gift through a Perpetual Trust
Make a gift through a perpetual trust that will provide ongoing financial support to the College.
Gift a Life Insurance Policy
Gift a life insurance policy on your own life or the life of another nominated person, with St Cuthbert’s nominated as the sole beneficiary. Alternatively, you could make the bonuses of your life insurance policy payable to St Cuthbert’s College.
Example wording
If you are considering a gift in your Will to the College, click here to download this as a PDF. We have included some wording you can discuss with your lawyer or Will provider. While including St Cuthbert’s in your Will is a simple process, we recommend you consult legal advice to best ensure your wishes are carried out.
Gifts can be made directly to the St Cuthbert’s Foundation to support a range of different priorities including scholarships, our campus development plans for both Epsom and Kahunui, and to support student hardship. Please contact our development office to find out more
Honouring your intentions
A general-purpose unrestricted gift
In most cases, directing your gift to ‘greatest need’ is the most helpful as it allows St Cuthbert’s to use the gift where we can make the greatest impact at the time.
A specific-purpose designated gift
If you have specific intentions for your gift, for example if you have a particular affinity for a subject, department, building or co-curricular activity, we can draw up a ‘Statement of Intention’ which instructs the College on exactly how you would like your gift to be used. This process represents a collaborative effort between you and the College to ensure we can help you fulfil your philanthropic ambitions.
Statement of Intention can include:
- The process of distribution (decision-makers, application process, etc).
- The distribution schedule for funds such as perpetual (use interest only, capital remains) or depleting fund over a time period.
- Recipient criteria (department, programme or objectives, financial need, contribution to community or culture, etc).
- Type of allowable expenditure (tuition fees, boarding fees, extra-curricular activity/trip costs, capital expenditure, staff salary, etc).
“My wife Lucy (St Cuthbert’s alumna) and I have both decided to leave a gift in our Wills to the St Cuthbert’s Foundation. It is a great way of giving back to the school that has given our family so much. I want to encourage other St Cuthbert’s parents, grandparents, alumni and friends of the school to think about their legacy, and the legacy of their daughter, and do everything we can to support the very best education for young women in this country.”
Fraser Whineray, Trust Board Member (2024)
Your Impact
Deputy Head Girl Jifei Shao benefited from a Gift in Wills donation in 2024. With this support, Jifei travelled to Astana, Kazakhstan to compete at the 35th International Biology Olympiad.
“Without a doubt, this experience was both an immense honour and a life-changing experience. I met amazing people, both competitors and locals alike, and made amazing memories, both during the day in the rapid clicking of the exam halls and at night as we shared jokes, games and laughter with our newfound friends.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I consider making a gift in my Will?
Upon receipt of an intended gift in Will donation, a member of the College’s Advancement team will get in touch with you to ensure we fully understand your wishes. Unless otherwise specified, the College Trust Board and Management will help align your gift with your interests alongside the College’s greatest need at any given time.
Is it still possible to prioritise my family’s needs in my Will and still effectively support St Cuthbert’s?
Absolutely. Most of our gifts through Wills come from modest and caring New Zealanders who look after their family appropriately first and then invest in the well-being of others by supporting a charitable purpose like promoting girls’ education at St Cuthbert’s College.
Is my gift in Will tax deductible?
No, however, any gifts made within your lifetime are. New Zealand resident taxpayers receive a 33.3% tax credit on any gift over $5 per annum (up to a limit of total net taxable income for all gifts combined in a given tax year). If tax deductibility is important to you, talk to us about leaving a “Living Legacy”.
What is a Living Legacy?
A Living Legacy is a donation made like a gift in a Will, however, these are pledged gifts made over some time, usually 3-5 years, during your lifetime. If you would like to consider this form of gift, please contact the team on the details above so we can better understand your intentions and help you see the best outcome for your donation.
Can I donate in honour of a loved one, or an important milestone?
Yes, this a very powerful way to honour a loved one or mark an important day. Talk to us further about how to make this happen.
What does it cost to make or change a Will?
Costs vary greatly, however a simple Will can be made for around $100-200, with more complex Wills costing upwards of $500 or more. Making a simple change in your Will, such as adding a gift to a charitable organisation such as St Cuthbert’s College, may only cost around $50-$200. These estimates are based on average costs across various public providers and Will services. The values will be higher or lower depending on whom you have or choose as your legal advisor and the complexity of the contents or any changes in your Will.
Can I direct my gift to a specific purpose?
Wherever possible, we encourage donors making a gift through their Will, to give to the ‘greatest needs’, because the needs of St Cuthbert’s College may change over the years. For example, educational best practice is always evolving and may not be the same in a few years. By donating to the ‘greatest needs’ you can be sure your legacy is helping whoever, whenever and wherever to meet the greatest need.
A small proportion of our donors may feel passionate about supporting a specific need or wish to invest a significant financial gift towards a specific area, such as the Sciences, or our remote learning Kahanui Campus in the Bay of Plenty. This process would be a collaborative one. We can guide you on the most important needs of the students, the school and the priorities that are designed to meet those needs and help you to realise your philanthropic ambitions.
In some cases, we may be unable to comply with a donor’s request. But we are committed to working with donors collaboratively. We welcome your involvement to deliver the greatest impact.
Can I remain anonymous if I give a Gift in my Will?
Absolutely and with confidence we shall respect and manage your wish. Whilst we like to know that you have given a gift in your Will to the College, so we may show our gratitude, we understand that some people prefer to remain anonymous, and we respect that decision. If you choose to let us know, you can trust that every gift is given in complete confidence and any request for anonymity will be upheld.
When is the best time to make a Will?
If you do not have a Will or your Will has not been updated recently, now is truly the best time to do so. Making a Will now will give you peace of mind and you can always update or change your Will at any time. Contact your financial or legal advisor, lawyer, or Will provider today to have one prepared or updated.
Get in touch
Should you have any questions about leaving a gift in your Will, please contact our Advancement Team on 09 610 5196 or email development@stcuthberts.school.nz. We are happy to meet with you to understand how we can honour your wishes.
A gift in your Will to the College goes on giving forever. On behalf of our Trust Board and Senior Leadership Team, as well as our students, we thank you in advance for your support.