Saint Mary's College Auckland

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Saint Mary's College, also known as 'SMC' is a year 7 - 13 integrated Catholic girls' high school situated at 11 New Street, Ponsonby, Auckland.

he Sisters of Mercy, who were founded in Ireland by Catherine McAuley established the school in 1850 on the site of the present St Patrick's Cathedral, in Wyndham Street, Auckland. The Sisters of Mercy were the first religious sisters to come to Aotearoa New Zealand, arriving in Auckland from Ireland on 9 April 1850.

The Mercy character continues to be a dominant focus of the school's ethos. Today the College is still owned by the Sisters of Mercy who have established a Board of Directors which works in conjunction with the Board of Trustees to ensure that the Catholic Character and Mercy charism of the school is not only maintained but enhanced and promoted.

St Mary’s College has always had an excellent academic record and high achievement in Music and Sport. Its musical tradition goes back to the 1860’s when during the 20th Century, under the outstanding direction of the late Dame Sister Mary Leo, the school produced many singers of international fame, notably Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Mina Foley.

Today the College is still owned by the Sisters of Mercy who have established a Board of Directors which works in conjunction with the Board of Trustees to ensure that the Catholic Character and Mercy charism of the school is not only maintained but enhanced and promoted.

The school is still famous for its music with a compulsory music programme running from year 7-9. At St Mary's the school believes that music enhances the mind. They have a number of bands which play at festivals all around the world. In 2006 the school's band went to Palm Springs, CA for a music festival.