Nelson College for Girls

Nelson College for Girls is a single-sex state school in Nelson, New Zealand.

The school was established in 1883, and its first principal was Kate Edger, who was the first woman to earn a university degree in New Zealand.[2] As was expected at this time, Kate resigned on her marriage in 1890, and was succeeded as Principal by Beatrice Gibson, one of the well-known Gibson sisters, who were very influential in girls’ education in the South Island at the turn of the 20th century. Gibson also resigned on her marriage, in 1900, and Althea Tendall took her place for a period of five years, followed by Margaret Lorimer from 1906 to 1926.[3]

Three of these early principals were graduates of Canterbury College, Christchurch, which came to an agreement with the school to enable pupils resident in Nelson, and enrolled at Nelson College for Girls, to receive university tuition from its staff. The pupils in Nelson were able to enrol in the same university classes as those available in Christchurch, sit the same examinations and receive the same qualifications. This arrangement continued until the 1920s.[4]

Throughout its history, the school has enabled its students to attain high academic success as well as promoting a sense of the importance of being a part of the community. During World War, many Old Girls of the school enlisted as nurses and served in theatres of war in a brave and admirable way. Having a strong sense of giving back to community continues today with the significant group of students who volunteer in the local community.

The school has a boarding house which caters for a wide range of students from outside of Nelson. The main house is named after another principal, Clarice Johnstone, who was instrumental in setting up the hostel. It caters for around 120 girls from years 7 – 13.

Music and arts are also very strong at the school, choirs, jazz band and orchestra and private tuition available for the musically inclined. The annual Arts Week organised by the Arts Committee is always a highlight in the year, presenting students from all over the school (even if not normally involved in the arts department) a chance to do fun artistic activities. The sports awards, house music event and weekly assemblies all provide chances for students to receive recognition from their peers for various achievements. Every week, they have a singing assembly. The arts committee chooses two or three for the girls to sing, they vary from cultural and traditional songs to jumpy, new hits. The whole school is very involved in the arts.

The school has five "houses" which divide the girls into groups for school competitions such as athletics, swimming, music, drama and academics. They are named after local landmarks, mountains, rivers and plains; Dun, Maitai, Maungatapu, Waimea and Whangamoa. Points are collected for each event and the end of the year overall winner is awarded with the Whangamoa Shield.

• Muriel Bell (1898–1974), nutritionist and medical researcher
• Jessica Bygate (born 1992), basketball player[5]
• Kate Isitt (1876–1948), writer and journalist
• Courtney Love (born 1964), singer
• Cora Wilding (1888–1982), YHA (NZ) founder
• Viran Molisa Trief, first female Solicitor-General and Supreme Court judge of Vanuatu
• Bessie te Wenerau Grace, first Māori woman to achieve a university degree

• Kate Edger - first woman university graduate in New Zealand
• Ethel McMillan - politician
• Richard Nunns - musician
• Dorothy Kate Richmond - artist

Stace, Hilary (1997) 'Oh for a girls' college'. Historic Places. No. 63, p. 20-21.