Enrolment

NZQA data shows that Villa Maria students consistently perform well above the national average for all New Zealand schools. Striving for excellence is part of the College culture, and girls are guided and supported to set goals and achieve their potential. Our smaller class sizes are a significant advantage, and our teachers are specialists in their field and passionate about educating girls. We also enjoy a reputation as one of the top girls’ schools in New Zealand for Sport and are proud to offer a wide range of music, drama and other cultural opportunities.

We take approximately 50 students in Year 7 and approximately 100 in Year 9. We operate a waiting list for when spaces become available.

You can apply anytime up until the close off date listed at the top of this page. There is no advantage to applying years in advance.

Unless there are exceptional circumstances, Year 7 and 8 girls will not be accepted from Catholic primary schools with Year 7 and 8 classes. 

Priority 1 – Preference Applicants, who, on the Closing Date, attend St Albans Catholic School (Christchurch), on the basis that the College is the most reasonably convenient provider of Year 7&8 single sex Catholic education to St Albans Catholic School (Christchurch).  

Priority 2 – Preference Applicants who, on the Closing Date reside in Selwyn Parish and have participated in a PPRE programme OR Preference Applicants who on the closing date, attend a state school residing in the Qualifying Parish because they were denied enrolment at a Catholic primary school due to enrolment restrictions and have participated in a PPRE programme. 

Priority 3– Preference Applicants who, on the Closing Date, reside within the Selwyn Parish OR reside in another Qualifying Parish and attend a state school because they were denied enrolment at a Catholic primary school due to enrolment restrictions.

Priority 4 – Preference Applicants who, on the Closing Date, reside in a Qualifying Parish; 

Priority 5 – Applicants who, on the Closing Date, have participated in a PPRE programme and reside in any Catholic parish within the Diocese other than a Qualifying Parish. 

Priority 6 – Preference Applicants who, on the Closing Date, reside in any Catholic parish within the Diocese other than a Qualifying Parish. 

If it is determined that there are more Preference Applicants within any of the priority categories than there are places available at the College, priority shall be allocated amongst unsuccessful Preference Applicants at each priority level that: 
a) are sisters of current students; then 
b) are sisters of former students; then 
c) are daughters of past students; then 
d) are daughters of current Employees of the College; then 
e) are daughters of current members of the College Board of Trustees (Trustees who are either elected or appointed).  

Priority 1 – Preference Applicants who, on the Closing Date, reside in a Qualifying Parish, and attend the following Catholic primary schools: 

• Our Lady of Victories, Sockburn
• St Teresa’s School, Riccarton
• St Bernadette’s School, Hornby
• Christ the King School, Burnside
• Sacred Heart School, Addington
• Our Lady of Assumption School, Hoon Hay
• St Patrick’s School, Bryndwr
• St Joseph’s School, Papanui
• St Peter’s School, Beckenham
• St Joseph’s School, Ashburton
• Our Lady of the Snows School, Methven

Priority 2 – Preference Applicants who, on the Closing Date, reside in a Qualifying Parish and attend a Catholic Primary School. 

Priority 3 – Preference Applicants who, on the Closing Date, reside in a Qualifying Parish and have participated in a PPRE programme. 

Priority 4 – Preference Applicants who, on the Closing Date, reside in a Qualifying Parish.

Priority 5 – Preference Applicants who, on the Closing Date, have participated in a PPRE programme and reside in any Catholic parish within the Diocese other than a Qualifying Parish. 

Priority 6 – Preference Applicants who, on the Closing Date, reside in any Catholic parish within the Diocese other than a Qualifying Parish. 

If it is determined that there are more Preference Applicants within any of the priority categories than there are places available at the College, priority shall be allocated amongst unsuccessful Preference Applicants at each priority level that: 
a) are sisters of current students; then 
b) are sisters of former students; then 
c) are daughters of past students; then 
d) are daughters of current Employees of the College; then 
e) are daughters of current members of the College Board of Trustees (Trustees who are either elected or appointed).

If you are a member of a local parish, they can provide you with a preference certificate that gives you priority status in the admissions process and increases your chances of securing a place at the College.
The five criteria for establishing parents’ connection with Catholic State-integrated schools such as to give Preference of Enrolment are:

5.1 – The child has been baptised or is being prepared for baptism in the Catholic Church. 

5.2 – The child’s parents/guardians have already allowed one or more of its siblings to be baptised in the Catholic faith. 

5.3 – At least one parent/guardian is a Catholic, and although their child has not yet been baptised, the child’s participation in the life of the school could lead to the parents having the child baptised.  

5.4 – With the agreement of the child’s parent/legal guardian, a significant familial adult such as a grandparent, aunt or uncle who is actively involved in the child’s upbringing undertakes to support the child’s formation in the faith and practices of the Catholic Church. 

5.5 – One or both of a child’s non-Catholic parents/guardians is preparing to become a Catholic.

Yes, you can still apply. Non-Preference Applicants may be considered for enrolment only if enrolment places remain after all Preference Applicants have been enrolled and the College Board of Trustees is satisfied that enrolment of the Non-Preference Applicants will not compromise its ability to offer places to Preference Applicants who may apply for enrolment at a later date.
The number of places available for Non-Preference Applicants will be governed by the maximum number allowable under the College Integration Agreement, which for Villa Maria College is 5% of the total roll.  Priority of any such non-preference applications will be given in accordance with the following descending order of criteria. 

Priority 1 – Non-Preference Applicants who, attended a Catholic primary school and, on the Closing Date, reside in a Qualifying Parish.  

Priority 2 – Non-Preference Applicants who, on the Closing Date, reside in a Qualifying Parish.  

Priority 3 – Non-Preference Applicants who, on the Closing Date, reside in any Catholic parish within the Diocese other than a Qualifying Parish.
If it is determined that there are more Non-Preference Applicants within any of the priority categories than there are places available at the College, priority shall be allocated amongst unsuccessful Non Preference Applicants at each priority level that: 
a) are sisters of current students; then 
b) are sisters of former students; then 
c) are daughters of past students; then 
d) are daughters of current Employees of the College; then 
e) are daughters of current members of the College Board of Trustees (Trustees who are either elected or appointed).

It is not based on where you live but the parish you belong to. Our qualifying parishes are:
Christchurch North Parish
Christchurch West Parish
Christchurch South Parish
Selwyn Parish
Akaroa Parish
Mid-Canterbury Parish

If there are more Applicants within any of the priority categories than there are places available at the College, they shall be allocated amongst unsuccessful Applicants at each priority level by result of ballot.

If the total number of Applicants is greater than the number of places available:

The waiting list will remain current and in effect until the 30 September in the year of entry.

Unsuccessful Applicants will have their names recorded on a waiting list, within their relevant priority category.

Applicants on the waiting list may be offered places at a later date if they become available.

The Villa Maria College Foundation Scholarship is to support a student entering at Year 9, who is at risk of not accessing a Catholic (Mercy) education. The criteria of being at risk’ is where there is financial hardship, whānau/family upheaval, whānau/family illness, or similar situations.
To be eligible for a VMC Foundation Scholarship you must:
-Be able to explain the difficulties that may prevent you from attending Villa Maria College.
-Be a Preference student with a commitment to Mercy values as you understand them and eligible for enrolment to Year 9 within the Villa Maria College -Enrolment Scheme;
-Be participating in special character activities within your current context;
Display leadership qualities;