Marsden School News 2025
Issue: 2025
View another issueStaff Spotlight: Krystee Craig
Friday, 9 May 2025We're thrilled to introduce Krystee Craig, our Visual Arts and Technology Teacher. Krystee brings a rich and vibrant background in arts education and creative...
Year 10 Camp 2025
Friday, 9 May 2025Our Year 10 students have been off on an unforgettable adventure this week, spending five days at the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Education Centre near...
Mother's Day Breakfast at Marsden
Thursday, 8 May 2025This morning, we warmly welcomed Preschool and Primary families to a very special Mother's Day Breakfast in the Cultural Centre.
Mothers and...
Mothers and...
Exploring the Source: Year 5 & 6 Visit Kaitoke for Water Inquiry Unit
Thursday, 8 May 2025As part of their Unit of Inquiry, "Why Water Is Essential for Sustaining Life," Year 5 & 6 students visited Kaitoke to learn first-hand how our water systems...
Year 7s tackle EPro8 engineering challenges in Science
Thursday, 8 May 2025Our Year 7 students have kicked off the term with creativity, collaboration and a lot of hands-on problem-solving as they dive into the EPro8 Challenge...
Democracy in Action – British High Commission Visit
Wednesday, 7 May 2025As part of the Strengthening Democracy Project, Year 13 students CC and Arabella visited the British High Commission on Monday evening following a workshop...
Year 6 Leadership Service
Wednesday, 7 May 2025We are delighted to announce our new Year 6 leaders for Term 2, who were formally recognised at our Leadership Service on Monday. These students have demonstrated...
Year 9 Parliament Trip
Tuesday, 6 May 2025Our Year 9 students visited Parliament on Monday as part of their Social Sciences "Making Change" unit. This annual trip brings their learning to life...
Spirit Week sparks energy and connection at the start of Term 2
Friday, 2 May 2025We kicked off Term 2 with a warm and welcoming mihi whakatau — a special way to reconnect as a school and set the tone for the term ahead. Immediately...
A special piece of history in the classroom
Friday, 2 May 2025Mrs Glanville brought a special map into class recently — a detailed Map of Europe following the Congress of Vienna, spanning the period 1815–1914....
Marsden Kapa Haka Students Support Mihi Whakatau for James Johnston
Thursday, 1 May 2025On Monday, a group of Marsden's senior kapa haka students had the honour of participating in a mihi whakatau to welcome James Johnston (Ngāti Porou,...
Year 11 Students Explore Engineering at University of Auckland
Thursday, 1 May 2025Over the school holidays, two of our Year 11 students, Varsha and Chloe, had the exciting opportunity to attend the University of Auckland's Women in Engineering...
Trio Represent Marsden in New Zealand Secondary Schools' Choir
Thursday, 1 May 2025Congratulations to Isabella, Akshara and Abigail, who performed for the first time with the New Zealand Secondary Students' Choir (NZSSC) 2025/26 during...
Real-Life Money Lessons for Year 12 with Skint to Mint
Thursday, 1 May 2025Today, our Year 12 Financial Skills class stepped into the world of money management with a hands-on and engaging activity using the board game Skint to...
Textiles Students Inspired by Visit to Yu Mei Studio
Wednesday, 30 April 2025Today our Year 11 and 12 Textiles Technology students had the exciting opportunity to visit the Yu Mei studio, accompanied by Head of Technology, Ms Sarah...
Staff Spotlight: Lynette Kitney
Tuesday, 29 April 2025We are delighted to introduce Lynette Kitney, who joined Marsden Primary at the beginning of 2025. Lynette brings with her more than 25 years of experience...
Marsden Students Represent at ANZAC Day Services
Friday, 25 April 2025Marsden was proudly represented at two ANZAC Day services today, with students from both the Middle School and Senior School attending alongside their...
Moo-ving and Grooving with RNZB's Dazzlehands Workshop
Tuesday, 15 April 2025At the end of Term 2, our Preschool and Primary students were treated to an energetic and joy-filled dance workshop with the Royal New Zealand Ballet ...
Year 7 Zealandia Adventure
Friday, 11 April 2025A stunning Wellington morning set the scene for our Year 7 trip to Zealandia on the final Thursday of Term 1. Students were greeted by the Zealandia education...
Sip & Shop Success
Friday, 11 April 2025Marsden's first Parents and Friends event for 2025 was a huge success! Held in Te Manawa o te Kura on Thursday 10 April, our Sip & Shop brought the...
Students Perform at Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival
Friday, 11 April 2025Marsden's Year 12 Stage and Screen students took part in the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival at Wellington East Girls' College on Tuesday. Under the...
Sylvie and Sylvi Perform
Wednesday, 9 April 2025Year 4 students Sylvie and Sylvi took to the stage as a violin duo at the New Zealand Institute of Registered Music Teachers' annual Two of a Kind concert...
Staff Spotlight: Sandra Glanville
Friday, 4 April 2025Sandra Glanville is Marsden's senior school History teacher and Social Sciences teacher for Years 8-10. Sandra joined us in 2022 after relocating to Wellington...
Marsden Primary's new baby
Friday, 4 April 2025Marsden Primary's music department received a wonderful gift today—a beautiful baby grand piano, which has now found its new home in the Primary...
Akshara performs at Parliament
Friday, 4 April 2025Akshara (Year 12) had the incredible honour of performing a cultural dance at Pongal in Parliament, celebrating South India's rich traditions. The event...
Preschool and Year 1 Mahitahi Time
Thursday, 3 April 2025Last week, our Preschool and Year 1 tamariki came together for Mahitahi – a special collaboration time designed to strengthen their connection with...
Year 5 Science Inquiry: Growing Beans
Thursday, 3 April 2025As part of our Science inquiry, Year 5 students have been exploring the life cycle of a bean by planting and nurturing their own seeds. In the classroom,...
Year 5 Students Spread Kindness Through Letter Writing
Wednesday, 2 April 2025Last week, our Year 5 students embraced the importance of kindness and connection by writing heartfelt letters to their grandparents, relatives, and special...
Year 12/13 History Trip – Exploring Gallipoli's Legacy
Wednesday, 2 April 2025Our Year 12 and 13 History students recently visited Te Papa as part of their preparation for their research internal, which begins in Term 2. The trip...
Year 8 Camp Wrap-Up
Monday, 31 March 2025Our Year 8 students had an incredible time at camp this year, embracing every challenge with enthusiasm and manahau (resilience). The week was packed with...
March is Neighbours Month!
Friday, 28 March 2025To celebrate Neighbours Aotearoa, Marsden Primary students took part in a special initiative to connect with our local community. Each student wrote a...
Marsden Competes at Wellington Regional Debating Competition
Friday, 28 March 2025Two Marsden teams took part in the Wellington Regional Debating Competition last weekend, gaining valuable experience and achieving some great results....
Reflecting on Good Friday at Chaplain's Assembly
Thursday, 27 March 2025At this morning's Chaplain's Assembly, Chaplain Sarah shared the Good Friday story using a series of powerful symbols to help students reflect on its meaning....
Maritime Police Visit Brings Excitement to Marsden
Thursday, 27 March 2025Today, the Maritime Police visited Marsden, much to the delight of our Preschool, Year 1, and Year 11 students. With Preschool focusing on water inquiry...
Making a Splash for Relay for Life
Wednesday, 26 March 2025Wednesday's Sponge Splash was such a fun event! A dozen brave staff and head students volunteered to be sponge splash targets, and they certainly felt...
Staff Spotlight – Shannon Hayes
Wednesday, 26 March 2025Meet Shannon, one of our amazing Year 6 teachers at Marsden. With a passion for creating a supportive and engaging classroom, Shannon encourages her students...
Year 8 Mother/Daughter Breakfast
Tuesday, 25 March 2025The Year 8 Mother/Daughter Breakfast was a fabulous way to start the day on Tuesday, bringing together students and the special women in their lives for...
Blake VR come to Marsden
Monday, 24 March 2025On Monday our Year 8 students had an incredible experience with Blake VR. The NZ-VR programme connects young New Zealanders with the marine environment,...
Year 5 Explores Plant Life Cycles in Science
Thursday, 20 March 2025Year 5 students have been busy with science activities alongside Ms Stevens, integrating skills and expertise from across the school. They have been growing...
Attitude Programme Inspires Marsden Students
Wednesday, 19 March 2025This week, we were pleased to welcome Tamatea from the Attitude team to speak with our Year 7 and Years 9–13 students (sorry Year 8, you were having...
House Spirit on Full Display at Athletics Day
Tuesday, 18 March 2025Athletics Day was a fantastic celebration of house spirit, competition, and fun, with students arriving in full colour and with energy to burn!
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Level 1 PE Students Embrace Team Building at the Waterfront
Tuesday, 18 March 2025Level 1 NCEA PE students had a fantastic day at the waterfront on Monday, strengthening their understanding of kotahitanga (unity and togetherness) through...
Year 7 Harakeke Planting
Monday, 17 March 2025Year 7 students took part in our annual harakeke (flax) planting on Monday, symbolising their connection to Marsden and its core values.
Each...
Each...
Preschool Celebrates St Patrick's Day
Monday, 17 March 2025Preschool was filled with excitement (and a lot of green) as our tamariki embraced the spirit of St Patrick's Day with a range of fun and creative activities....
Independent Schools Primary Active Day
Monday, 17 March 2025Our Year 1–6 students had a fantastic day at Chilton St James for the Independent Schools Primary Active Day last Friday. This event, held in collaboration...
Year 7 & 13 Shared Lunch
Thursday, 13 March 2025Our tuakana-teina relationships continue to grow, with Year 7 and Year 13 students coming together for a shared lunch in the Cultural Centre. Organised...
Year 8 Prepares for Camp
Thursday, 13 March 2025Yesterday, some of our Year 8 students took to the school field to practise an essential outdoor skill—pitching tents! With camp just around the...
Staff Spotlight: Jess Gill
Wednesday, 12 March 2025Meet Jess, Marsden's Sport and Active Recreation Coordinator for Years 1–8. Originally from Dunedin, Jess has a Bachelor of Science in Sport Development...
International Students Visit Wellington Chocolate Company
Tuesday, 11 March 2025Our international students recently enjoyed a fantastic experience at the Wellington Chocolate Company, where they explored unique flavour combinations...
Year 8 Explores Irish Culture
Tuesday, 11 March 2025As Year 8 begins learning about Irish music and culture, they had a special visit from fellow student and national Irish dancing champion, Georgia. She...
Preschool Adventures in Swimming & STEM
Monday, 10 March 2025Last week, our preschoolers embraced new challenges in both the pool and the classroom.
In swimming lessons, they built confidence by blowing...
In swimming lessons, they built confidence by blowing...
Exploring Music and Coding
Monday, 10 March 2025Last week, as part of our EOTC music activities, Year 5 and 6 students had the opportunity to dive into the world of music and coding with the OSMO Jam...
Primary EOTC Week: Celebrating Cultural Diversity
Friday, 7 March 2025Marsden Primary students had an incredible EOTC (Education Outside the Classroom) Week, embracing the theme Cultural Diversity Makes Our City a Vibrant...
Marsden Celebrates International Women's Day
Friday, 7 March 2025Marsden students embraced the opportunity to celebrate International Women's Day 2025 by attending leadership events across Wellington and gathering as...
NCEA+ Sustainability Collab visit Futuna Chapel
Friday, 7 March 2025On Thursday, some of our Year 11 Design and Visual Communication students visited Futuna Chapel as part of their NCEA+ Sustainability Collab, a leading...
Year 7 Textiles Technology: Sustainable Lunch Solutions
Friday, 7 March 2025Our Year 7 students have been putting their creativity and practical skills to the test in Textiles Technology, designing and making their own reusable...
Year 5 and 6 Camp - Adventure, Teamwork, and Resilience
Friday, 7 March 2025Our Year 5 and 6 students embraced the great outdoors this week, heading to Makahika for their highly anticipated EOTC camp.
From the...
From the...
Art & Design Students Visit Massey University
Thursday, 6 March 2025Last Friday, Year 11 Art and Year 12-13 Design, Painting, and Photography students visited Massey University to view some of 2024's top art portfolios...
Shrove Tuesday in Preschool
Tuesday, 4 March 2025Preschool had a special visit from our school Chaplain, Mrs King, who made delicious pancakes for Shrove Tuesday and spoke with the tamariki about the...
Year 13 Biology Trip to Wellington Zoo
Tuesday, 4 March 2025Year 13 Biology had their annual trip to Wellington Zoo on Tuesday which happened to coincide with the McEvity Shield competition being held at Newtown...
Karori Fire Service Visits Marsden Preschool
Tuesday, 4 March 2025As part of our inquiry into water and how we use it, we had a special visit from the Karori Fire Service. A big thank you to Ed and his team from Red Watch,...
Year 5 & 6 Scavenger Hunt Celebrates Marsden Women of Influence
Tuesday, 4 March 2025As part of International Women's Week, our Year 5 and 6 students took part in an exciting scavenger hunt around the school, discovering Marsden women of...
Year 13 Physics Flight Day – Science Takes to the Skies!
Friday, 28 February 2025Over the past two days, our NCEA Level 3 Physics students took part in an unforgettable Flight Day with the Wellington Aero Club, putting classroom theories...
Year 12 Financial Skills
Thursday, 27 February 2025Today some of our Year 12 students had a fun lesson learning financial skills using the board game CASHFLOW®, a board game designed to teach essential...
Year 11 Visit Ngatiawa River Monastery
Thursday, 27 February 2025Yesterday, our Year 11 students visited Ngatiawa River Monastery as part of their Year 11 Religious Education studies.
The day involved learning...
The day involved learning...
Staff Spotlight: Michael Gates
Monday, 24 February 2025Michael joined us in this year, bringing over 20 years of teaching experience from England and Wellington.
As an English and Stage & Screen...
As an English and Stage & Screen...
Year 1 High Tea with special guest
Monday, 24 February 2025On Monday afternoon, our Year 1 classroom was filled with laughter, conversation, and excitement as students and their families gathered for a special...
Y12/13 History students step into suffragists' shoes
Monday, 24 February 2025Last Friday, Marsden's Year 12 and 13 students brought history to life with a re-enactment of an 1893 Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) meeting....
Marsden Students perform at Botanic Gardens' Lantern Festival
Monday, 24 February 2025On Saturday the Wellington Botanic Gardens' Sound Shell came alive with a celebration of the Chinese Year of the Snake as part of the Lantern Festival....
German Research Vessel RV SONNE
Monday, 24 February 2025Last Monday, Paige and Milliann (Year 13) had the exciting opportunity to visit the German research vessel RV SONNE as it returned to Pōneke Harbour...
Wooden One Octave Organ for Young Technologists (WOOFYT) Workshop
Thursday, 20 February 2025Year 7 and 8 students recently had the exciting opportunity to engage with the Wooden One Octave Organ for Young Technologists (WOOFYT) workshop, led by...
Year 11 NCEA+ Collab Trip: Exploring Portraiture and Fashion
Thursday, 20 February 2025Our Year 11 NCEA+ Identity, Belonging & Expression Collab took students on an inspiring journey through art and fashion today, beginning at the National...
Staff Spotlight: Loren Juran
Thursday, 20 February 2025Loren Juran is our Dean of International Students and a dedicated teacher of Languages and Social Sciences.
Loren has been a valued member...
Loren has been a valued member...
Year 7 Father/Daughter Breakfast
Wednesday, 19 February 2025Year 7 students took part in a much-anticipated Marsden tradition—the Year 7 Father/Daughter Breakfast on Tuesday.
This special event...
This special event...
Year 9 Adventure at Adrenalin Forest
Wednesday, 19 February 2025On Friday, our Year 9 students took on the exciting and highly anticipated challenge of Adrenalin Forest, an annual adventure designed to test courage,...
Preschool Term 1 Whānau BBQ
Monday, 17 February 2025The sun was shining, and the trees provided the perfect shady spot for Preschool whānau to gather for their first BBQ of 2025. Siblings, parents,...
Year 12 Biology Trip to Zealandia
Friday, 14 February 2025Year 12 Biology had their annual trip to Zealandia on Thursday for the study of our endemic bird: the takahē.
Many thousands...
Many thousands...
2025 Induction Service
Friday, 14 February 2025On Monday, we celebrated the induction of our Year 13 Head Students Committee in a special service that began with communion in the Chapel. Chaplain, Mrs...
Valentine's Day at Marsden
Friday, 14 February 2025Marsden was filled with love and kindness today as students across the school celebrated Valentine's Day in special ways.
Our Year 13 leaders...
Our Year 13 leaders...
New Families' Welcome Drinks
Friday, 14 February 2025The Marsden Parents and Friends group has kicked off the year with a wonderful Welcome event for new families on Wednesday. It was a fantastic evening,...
Year 12/13 PE Rafting Trip
Thursday, 13 February 2025On Wednesday, our Year 12/13 PE class put their risk and safety management learning into action during an Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) trip....
Primary Leadership Service
Tuesday, 11 February 2025Monday marked Marsden Primary's first Leadership Service of the year, where students celebrated the theme of Oha, Service — a value that represents...
Altissime Choir Camp
Tuesday, 11 February 2025Last weekend, Altissime headed to El Rancho for its annual choir camp. With 14 new members and a new choir director, there was a lot of change, but the...
Year 9 Reach 'New Heights'
Monday, 10 February 2025On Friday afternoon, Year 9 students took part in a team building session which this year's theme called 'New Heights'. The session was designed to encourage...
Primary and Preschool Whānau Picnic
Friday, 7 February 2025On Wednesday evening, Marsden Primary and Preschool held their whānau picnic dinner on the Primary lawn. The sun was shining, and families gathered...
Year 7 Chemistry experiment
Wednesday, 5 February 2025Today, some of our Year 7 students explored acids and bases in a hands-on home chemistry experiment. Using an indicator made from red cabbage, they tested...
Blessing the Backpacks
Wednesday, 5 February 2025At our first Primary School chapel service for the year, Chaplain Sarah King led our special Blessing of the Backpacks. She prayed that each bag would...
A Splashing Start to the Year at Preschool!
Wednesday, 5 February 2025The year is off to an exciting start as our youngest tamariki establish relationships, welcome new friends, and settle into Preschool routines.
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Fiafia - Celebrating Culture and Connection
Tuesday, 4 February 2025On Monday, we held our annual Fiafia, a special opportunity for our Māori and Pasifika students to connect, reflect, and celebrate their culture....
Give It A Go Afternoon
Friday, 31 January 2025On Friday, students took part in a fun-filled afternoon of sports and Kapa Haka, enjoying the opportunity to connect with their year group and try something...
Year 13 Leadership Camp 2025
Thursday, 30 January 2025Our Year 13 students kicked off the year with a two-day Leadership Camp from 29–30 January, focusing on teamwork, goal-setting, and developing their...
Pōwhiri Welcomes New Staff, Students, and Whānau
Tuesday, 28 January 2025Marsden was filled with joy, hope and excitement as new staff, students and their whānau were formally welcomed to the Marsden community with a...
Marsden students inspired at Massey University Young Leaders' Summit
Friday, 24 January 2025Some of our 2025 student leaders kick-started the year with inspiration and practical skills at the Massey University Young Leaders' Summit on Tuesday...