Life is Co-ed

He Kura te Irahuhua

At St Andrew's College, boys and girls engage in collaborative learning, which fosters confidence, communication skills, and social interaction essential for real-world success and future leadership roles. This co-educational environment cultivates a positive self-image, preparing students for post-secondary education and the workforce.

Learning together

Research suggests that co-education not only breaks down gender stereotypes, but also provides a realistic foundation for building meaningful relationships and expanding diverse networks, promoting open-mindedness and well-rounded individuals.

In this dynamic setting, students benefit intellectually from diverse perspectives, develop socially through interaction with the opposite gender, and gain the confidence to express their views. Co-education is viewed as a realistic approach to preparing young people for active participation in a broader community, ensuring they have the skills and mindset to navigate a world where collaboration, understanding, and inclusivity are paramount.

St Andrew's College Rector walking on campus with a group of students

"We live in a co-ed world – let’s learn in one too."
Christine Leighton
Rector

Key benefits of co-education

Gender Equality

Co-education nurtures equality, breaks down gender stereotypes, fosters inclusivity, and creates a society where individuals are judged based on merit rather than gender. By doing so, we promote social harmony and progress, ensuring a fairer and more just world for everyone.

Diverse Perspectives

Having boys and girls learning together in the same classroom can lead to a greater diversity of perspectives and ideas. This enriches classroom discussions, exposes students to different viewpoints, fosters critical thinking skills, and prepares them for a multifaceted world.

Promotes Respect

Co-education instills respect for the opposite gender from an early age, molding attitudes that persist remain and develop into adulthood. This respect underpins healthier relationships, fosters understanding, and contributes to a more harmonious and balanced community ethos.

Reduces Stereotypes

Co-education challenges traditional gender roles and stereotypes by showcasing diverse abilities and talents irrespective of gender, fostering a society where open-mindedness and tolerance prevail, paving the way for greater social harmony and acceptance of individual differences.

Social Development

Co-education nurtures social development by providing students with opportunities to interact with the opposite gender from an early age. It helps them develop essential social skills to become more confident in expressing their views and have respect for diverse perspectives.

Positive Competition

Encouraging healthy competition between genders acts as a catalyst for academic and extracurricular excellence among students, fostering a positive atmosphere wherein individuals are driven to unleash their fullest potential, do their best at all times, and achieve their aspirations.

Personal Growth

Engaging with individuals of the opposite gender facilitates the cultivation of empathy, personal growth, and a deeper comprehension of human dynamics, fostering a richer appreciation for diversity and nurturing more meaningful interpersonal connections.

Workplace Preparation

In today's interconnected world, the skill of collaborating with diverse individuals is not only expected but is essential. Co-education develops students' abilities to navigate global workplaces, fostering adaptability and cultural sensitivity, all crucial attributes for success in diverse professional arenas.

Enhanced Outcomes

Studies indicate that a well-balanced gender mix in classrooms fosters a dynamic and enriching learning environment. Varied learning styles and preferences are accommodated, catering to the diverse needs and aptitudes of students, enhancing overall educational outcomes.

Future Ready

In the professional world and daily life, people often need to work collaboratively with individuals of different genders. Co-education helps students learn to navigate diverse social settings, fosters understanding, and prepares them for the realities of the world outside of school.

Consistently high academic results

It's often assumed that single-sex schools enhance academic performance by eliminating opposite-sex distractions and tailoring learning to gender. However, this overlooks the crucial emotional intelligence development missed when students are isolated. Co-ed classrooms foster balanced behaviour and negate oversimplified gender learning differences. Effective teaching, not segregation, addresses diverse learning needs.

A virtual 100% pass rate at every NCEA level is a clear indication that our academics tracking and learning support programmes are working. Our students are continually leading the way in NCEA results when compared against other single sex and co‐ed schools. Our Scholarship results, second highest in the South Island in 2023 and first when compared against other Independent Schools across New Zealand, supports the enormous progress we are making in providing the extension pathways for our more able students. Our academic success is not an accident. We place an enormous value in supporting every child to reach their academic potential, whether they need extra support or extension.