Proven academic results, a supportive environment and exceptional teachers ensure that every child receives the very best education and experience at Ellesmere College.
Ellesmere is a small, rural school where every staff member and student alike know and support one another. We offer students a full curriculum, alongside a broad range of extra-curricular activities, to support well-rounded student development.
If you are interested in enrolling your child at Ellesmere College/Te Kāreti o Waihora for 2023, please download and complete the enrolment form.
For a list of Iwi Codes, Click Here
The Ellesmere College enrolment zone is centred around Leeston on the Canterbury plains. For specific details on the enrolment area, see the map to the right.
You can read our 2023 Enrolment Information Booklet below:
All students who live within the home zone described below (and shown on the map above) shall be eligible to enrol at the school.
Includes both sides of the road unless where stated:
For more information on enrolling at Ellesmere as an international student, please head over to our international page.
All payments to the school can be made by direct credit to the following bank account: Ellesmere College BNZ Leeston, 02-0860-0074747-00.
Please include the students name and the reason for payment as a reference, i.e. Yr 7 camp.
Ellesmere is fortunate to have a very active and passionate PTA, committed to enhancing school life and students’ experiences. The PTA organise various fundraising activities each year, including bake days, cheese sales and quiz nights.
The money raised is used to fund a range of activities and additions to the school. Recent initiatives include a lunchtime learning support club, new lab stools and a drum kit for the arts department.
For more information on PTA events, or if you would like to become involved, please contact the PTA facebook page.
Our Whānau Committee is a group of individuals made up of whānau, staff and students, who work collaboratively to support Te Ao Māori at Ellesmere College/Te Kāreti o Waihora.
Meeting monthly, the Whānau Committee organises events such as the hugely successful Po Whakangahau annual cultural celebration, and works closely with our school leadership to ensure the voices of the Māori and Pasifika communities are being heard and honored.
Ensuring students travel safely to and from school is crucial both to parents and the College.
The Ellesmere College zone is covered by 12 school buses, which many of our students use daily. The Ministry of Education has a direct contract with the bus provider and determines bus routes.
Please see these links (below) for maps to the current Bus Routes:
D120601 – BROOKSIDE (Primary Controlled)
D120606 – LAKESIDE (Primary Controlled)
D120605 – LOWER DUNSANDEL (College Controlled)
D120604 – DOYLESTON_KILLINCHY (Primary Controlled)
D120603 – DUNSANDEL (College Controlled)
D120602 – IRWELL (Primary Controlled)
D120613 – SOUTHBRIDGE TOWNSHIP (College Controlled)
D120610 – NORWOOD (College Controlled)
D120609 – SOUTHBRIDGE_RAKAIA (College Controlled)
Our uniform gives students a shared identity and fosters a sense of pride in the Whānau, College and themselves.
The Ellesmere College uniform can be bought both online and in-store at http://ellesmere.nzuniforms.com/ and also at our PTA second-hand shop (see Ellesmere College PTA Facebook page for more info).
For more detailed information on the Ellesmere dress code, please see here: The Ellesmere College Uniform
The current uniform is being reviewed by the Board of Trustees following a community consultation at the end of 2020/beginning of 2021. A new uniform will be phased in from the beginning of 2023 for Years 7, 9 & 11 (it is optional in 2023 for other year levels), with all Yr 7-12 students wearing the new uniform in 2024.
Please Note: Following feedback from the school community and the uniform review being completed by the Board of Trustees, the school kilt will be phased out. To make this more financially viable for parents/whānau in 2022, the kilt will be an optional uniform item. Students will only be allowed to wear black polishable schools from 2023 so next year the t-bar shoes are also optional for girls (who can wear black polishable shoes instead).
We have a number of ways for parents and students to connect with the College and find out what’s going on at Ellesmere.
The Ellesmere College school App can be used to view the College calendar, read the latest newsletters, register absences – and much more! You can download the App on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
We have a lively online community. Join the Ellesmere facebook page and stay up-to-date with the latest Ellesmere happenings.
Enrolment forms, school notices and other information can all be found on the parent portal.