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Pinehurst School

New Zealand, Auckland

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees NZ$20,400 - 25,090
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 1100
Type Co-educational
Opened 1991
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages Mandarin, Spanish
Typical class size 25
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional
Stages Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Pinehurst School, located in New Zealand, is an independent co-educational school offering the Cambridge Pathway from Year 1 to Year 13. The curriculum runs Cambridge Primary, IGCSE, and Cambridge International AS and A Levels, with Cambridge Fellowship since 2006 and selected as New Zealand's Cambridge Demonstration Centre in 2022. The school opened in 1991 after being founded in 1990, beginning as a not-for-profit community school. A major infrastructure program in the 1990s and the theatre's opening in 2023 reflect ongoing development. The campus comprises two locations with three Primary playgrounds, purpose-built learning zones, and a 253-seat theatre used for drama, music, assemblies and presentations. Sports are central, with two gymnasiums, a TigerTurf field, a six-court turf, and access to Millennium Centre and Northern Arena Swimming Centre, supporting over 150 teams. The Arts, music, drama and dance are integrated across Primary to College, along with the Duke of Edinburgh programme and productions.

The Essentials

Pinehurst School has 1,100 pupils, typical class sizes of 25, instruction in English.

Location
Pinehurst School is located at 75 Bush Road, Albany, Auckland 0632. The campus sits on Auckland's North Shore on a single, purpose-built site. The school is served by a subsidised bus service with nine routes across the North Shore, including Albany.

Stages
Year Levels: 1–13

Type
Independent co-educational

Pupil Nationality Mix
Total roll: 846; number of international students: 69. Most represented nationality: Chinese (44%). Local to international student ratio: approximately 11:1 (local ≈ 777; international 69).

Additional learning support
Pastoral care is embedded across all year levels, with a dedicated student support team. Support services include a subsidised bus service to help students travel to and from school.

Country affiliation
New Zealand

Bus service
Pinehurst provides a subsidised bus service with nine routes across Auckland's North Shore, including Albany; routes are supported by RollCall live tracking and real-time updates.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms are required; Pinehurst operates an on-site uniform shop with term-time and holiday openings. Primary uniforms use summer and winter options; Girls wear the Pinehurst dress or pinafore tunic with jersey, and Boys wear the Pinehurst polo shirt with navy shorts or trousers. College uniforms include blazers, white shirts, and ties with skirts or shorts, with a Pinehurst rain jacket allowed for pre/post-school wear; caps may be worn outdoors, and hoodies are not allowed at school except in PE.

Food Options
Lunch orders are provided via EZLUNCH; On-site College Tuck Shop operates at morning tea and lunchtime, with a menu of hot meals and snacks available; EZLUNCH and Kindo offer online ordering for delivery to school.

House System
The school has a house system; Years 7-13 have a House Shirt, and inter-house competitions are held (such as inter-house swimming for year groups 9–13).

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by a Board of Governors elected by the Pinehurst Society, a community of parents and staff; day-to-day operations are led by the Executive Principal and Leadership Team; Pinehurst is an independent school.
Fees

Annual tuition at Pinehurst School ranges from NZD 20,400 to NZD 25,090 for 2026/27.

Application & enrolment fees

- Application (registration) fee: NZD 255.00 (non-refundable).
- Entrance fee: NZD 695.00 (non-refundable).
- Alumni fee: NZD 150.00 (non-refundable).
- Bond: NZD 2,500.00 (held by the Pinehurst School Trust; refundable when your child leaves provided one term's notice is given and all fees are settled).

Tuition fees (annual and per term by year group)

- Years 1–6 (New Zealand resident): NZD 19,300.00 per annum — NZD 4,825.00 per term (annual tuition divided by four).
- Years 7–8 (New Zealand resident): NZD 21,790.00 per annum — NZD 5,447.50 per term (annual tuition divided by four).
- Years 9–13 (New Zealand resident): NZD 23,990.00 per annum — NZD 5,997.50 per term (annual tuition divided by four).

- Years 1–6 (International student): NZD 32,020.00 per annum — NZD 8,005.00 per term (annual tuition divided by four).
- Years 7–8 (International student): NZD 37,911.00 per annum — NZD 9,477.75 per term (annual tuition divided by four).
- Years 9–13 (International student): NZD 42,590.00 per annum — NZD 10,647.50 per term (annual tuition divided by four).

(Note: per-term figures above are calculated by dividing the published annual tuition by four to show term-level amounts.)

Tuition discounts

- Sibling discounts: 2nd child 5%; 3rd child 10%; 4th child 15%; 5th child 20%.
- Loyalty discounts: 5% after six years' continuous enrolment; 10% after eight years' continuous enrolment (applied in January of the following year).

Other annual charges

- Capital contribution levy: NZD 750.00 per year, per student (NZD 187.50 per term).
- Consumables & activity fee: NZD 350.00 per year, per student (NZD 87.50 per term).

Bus fees (weekly rates & concessions)

- Zone 1 (within 15 km): Weekly zone pass NZD 40.00; AM/PM pass NZD 20.00 per week; concession NZD 8.00 per ride.
- Zone 2 (within 30 km): Weekly zone pass NZD 55.00; AM/PM pass NZD 27.50 per week; concession NZD 10.00 per ride.
- Zone 3 (31+ km): Weekly zone pass NZD 77.50; AM/PM pass NZD 38.75 per week; concession NZD 14.00 per ride.
- Bus discounts: 2nd child 50% discount; 3rd child free (100%).

Additional variable costs (billed separately)

- School camps, trips and excursions, sports team fees, external examination fees (e.g., Cambridge exam fees) and specific co-curricular programme charges are invoiced separately based on participation and are additional to tuition and the annual charges listed above. Examination fees may vary with exchange rates and subject choices.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Tuition and school fees for the year are billed termly; fees paid termly are due on 20 February, 20 April, 20 July and 20 October irrespective of the actual date a term commences. All other charges are due on the 20th of the month following the month in which the charges were incurred. Account enquiries are handled by the School Business Manager (accounts@pinehurst.school.nz).

Refund information

- The bond (NZD 2,500.00) is refundable when your child leaves the school provided one term's notice is given and all outstanding fees are settled.
- Some activity and co-curricular registrations (for example sports or programme registrations) are non-refundable after published registration closing dates; no refunds are provided after those cut-off dates for activities where the school has committed funds or places.

Fee payment options

- Payments are made through the Pinehurst parent/PCSchool portal (portal.pinehurst.school.nz) using the Pay Student Fees function; the online payment flow uses the Payment Express payment page for transaction processing. Card/online payments via the portal are supported. For account queries, contact accounts@pinehurst.school.nz.

Summary of key amounts (quick list)

- Application (registration) fee: NZD 255.00 (non-refundable).
- Bond: NZD 2,500.00 (refundable with one term's notice and all fees settled).
- Entrance fee: NZD 695.00 (non-refundable).
- Capital contribution levy: NZD 750.00 per year.
- Consumables & activity fee: NZD 350.00 per year.
- Tuition (examples): Years 1–6 NZD 19,300.00 p.a. (NZD 4,825.00 per term); Years 9–13 NZD 23,990.00 p.a. (NZD 5,997.50 per term).

(For account enquiries or specific invoice questions contact accounts@pinehurst.school.nz.)
Academics

Pinehurst School teaches Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels.

Curriculum
The Cambridge Pathway is followed from Year 1 to Year 13, with Year 10–11 Cambridge IGCSE and Year 12–13 AS/A Levels; the Cambridge curriculum provides academic rigour, a clear progression, and university recognition in New Zealand and internationally.

Exam Results
Cambridge external examinations are sat at five year levels: Year 6 (Checkpoint in English, Mathematics and Science); Year 9 (Lower Secondary Checkpoint in English, Mathematics and Science); Year 11 (IGCSE in English Language, English Literature, Mathematics and several other subjects); Year 12 (AS Level exams in English and three or four other subjects); Year 13 (A Level or AS Level in four or five subjects). In 2025 Pinehurst earned 21 Cambridge Outstanding Learner Awards, including Top in World and Top in New Zealand recognitions.

Higher Education Progression
University Pathways: NZ and international. Graduates go on to study at leading universities across the globe.

Gifted and Talented
Gifted and Talented Education (CWEA) is offered; Learner Support (CWSN) is provided.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Learning Support Team and SENCOs provide extra help for students with learning differences, additional extension, or extra encouragement, working with families and teachers to create personalised plans. A full-time, qualified School Counsellor is available to all students, free of charge, offering confidential support for friendships, school stress, anxiety, or personal challenges. Sessions are focused on wellbeing and resilience. Health Clinic provides First Aid on-site and medical support during school hours as part of pastoral care.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Learning Support Team and SENCOs provide extra help for students with learning differences, additional extension, or extra encouragement; they work with families and teachers to create personalised plans.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English language level is assessed for international learners to determine appropriate course placement (written and spoken). Our international student provision includes orientation, pastoral care, a counsellor, a health clinic, and a careers counsellor to support language learning and integration.

Mental Wellbeing
A full-time, qualified School Counsellor is available to all students, free of charge, with confidential sessions focused on wellbeing and resilience. On-site Health Clinic provides First Aid and medical support during school hours.

Safeguarding
Pinehurst is signatory to the New Zealand Government Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Learners, demonstrating a commitment to safeguarding international students.
Parent Experience

History
Founded in 1990 by Peter Davies and a group of visionaries including Sherida Penman Walters, Pinehurst School began as a not-for-profit, independent school starting with 34 students. It welcomed its first students in 1991, and construction began on the first permanent classroom and library block that year. The 1990s saw growth with cedar-clad buildings (1995), a wooden playground and a gymnasium completed in 1997. The school celebrated its 10th anniversary around 2000-2001 with major infrastructure upgrades, and Cambridge Fellowship status was achieved in 2006 with an expanded Cambridge programme. In 2022 Pinehurst was selected as New Zealand's Cambridge Demonstration Centre and in 2023 opened the Pinehurst Theatre under new Executive Principal Mike Waller.

Community
The Pinehurst Triangle is a partnership between students, families and staff working side by side so every child is known, supported, and empowered to thrive. The community emphasises developing confident, compassionate global citizens through values and relationships. A range of community events support family involvement, including events such as New Parent Wine & Canapé Evening. Pinehurst Family and Friends (PFF) is the parent-to-parent support group.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Pinehurst has a parent-to-parent support group named Pinehurst Family and Friends (PFF).
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Three dedicated Primary playgrounds serve different age groups, set among green fields, tranquil ponds and fruit trees. Purpose-built learning zones span across both campuses to support learning, connection and creativity. The theatre is a 253-seat venue opened in 2023 for drama, music, assemblies and presentations. The Library opened in 2020, blending light-filled study spaces with a dedicated dance studio and adjoining boardroom. The Arena, Gym & Dance Studio is dedicated for sport, while Turf & Courts provide an all-weather surface for hockey, tennis, netball and Kidzplay Saturday Netball.

Sports Facilities
Two gymnasiums and a full-size TigerTurf multi-sport field (FIH-certified for hockey, tennis and netball) are central to Pinehurst's sports programme. Nearby venues include the Millennium Centre and Northern Arena Swimming Centre. The front-of-campus sports hub features a six-court turf for netball and other outdoor activities. Athletics and Cross Country events are held at external venues such as Rosedale Park and the AUT Millennium. With two dedicated Sports Coordinators and more than 150 sports teams, students compete across a wide range of activities.

Academic Facilities
The theatre seats 253 and is used for drama, music, assemblies and presentations. The Library opened in 2020 and blends light-filled study spaces with a dedicated dance studio and adjoining boardroom. Arena, Gym & Dance Studio is a dedicated space for sport, performances and events. Three dedicated Primary playgrounds serve different age groups, with purpose-built learning zones across two campuses.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Pinehurst offers over 150 sports teams with two dedicated Sports Coordinators. Two gymnasiums, a full-size TigerTurf field and access to Millennium Centre and Northern Arena Swimming Centre support these activities. Sports include Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Climbing, Football & Futsal, Golf, Gymnastics, Hockey, Netball, Orienteering, Snow Sports, Table Tennis, Tennis, Touch Rugby, Volleyball and Water Polo. After School Programmes include Snowplanet ski and snowboard sessions for Years 1–8, and The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Awards are offered as an extracurricular option.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Pinehurst offers the Cambridge Pathway from Year 1 through Year 13, including IGCSE and AS & A Levels. The Cambridge curriculum is flexible, challenging, and designed to inspire independent thinking, preparing students for top universities. The school provides university pathways in New Zealand and internationally.

Arts & Creative
Arts are a vibrant part of Pinehurst, with Music, Drama and Visual Arts offered from Primary to College. Drama & Productions run annual Primary and College productions in a purpose-built theatre, fostering leadership, collaboration and confidence. The co-curricular Music program offers a wide range of groups, including choirs, orchestras, bands and chamber ensembles.

Cultural & Language
Cultural Clubs form part of Pinehurst's co-curricular life, alongside sport, music and leadership. The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Awards fosters voluntary service, physical recreation, skills and adventurous journeys, building independence, wellbeing, leadership and social responsibility. The Cambridge Pathway and international university pathways reinforce a global perspective.

Social & Hobbies
Pinehurst runs more than 150 sports teams across summer and winter, supported by two Sports Coordinators and top facilities including two gymnasiums and a full-size TigerTurf field. The athletics program includes Inter-house Athletics and Cross Country, badminton, basketball, climbing, football, golf, gymnastics, hockey, netball and more, with fixtures at local venues and national competitions. Students may also take part in tennis, snow sports, table tennis and water polo among other activities.

Community & Service
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Awards is a central school program focused on voluntary service, physical recreation, skills and Adventurous Journey; Bronze is compulsory for Year 10 with Silver and Gold for Years 11–13. The program includes practice and qualifying camps and a residential project at Gold level, developing independence and leadership. Pinehurst also recognises service through its Pinehurst Service Award, honoring students who contribute to school life and the wider community.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership is encouraged from the earliest years, with Senior Leaders and a range of student roles such as House Captains, Student Councils and other leadership responsibilities. The Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Awards also cultivate leadership, initiative and teamwork. Student Leaders maintain Careers Leaders and other roles to support professional development and community impact.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Pastoral care and student wellbeing are embedded in everyday school life, with mentoring and a dedicated support team. Life at Pinehurst blends academics with sport, camps and outdoor experiences to build confidence, resilience and balance. The campus provides facilities for theatre, a library and sports to support physical and mental wellbeing.
Languages

Language Provision
Mandarin and Spanish are taught from Year 1 as part of the language learning in the Primary Curriculum. Language learning covers listening, speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin and Spanish. Pinehurst follows the Cambridge Curriculum in Primary.
Reputation

Awards
Cambridge Outstanding Learner Awards (2024) including Top in World and Top in New Zealand recognitions; 20 Outstanding Learner Awards in 2024 across various subjects

Accreditations
Cambridge Pathway; Cambridge Centre of Excellence at Pinehurst School; Cambridge assessments (IGCSE/AS/A Levels) leading to university pathways
Admissions

Admissions
1. Explore Pinehurst: Families explore Pinehurst' values, the Cambridge pathway, and co‑curricular opportunities; the school emphasizes a Cambridge pathway and a community‑centred culture. 2. Visit Us: The best way to experience Pinehurst is in person; guided campus tours, Open Day, or private visits can be arranged by contacting the Admissions Manager. 3. Connect With Us: If desired, families can be connected with a current Pinehurst parent for insights; Pinehurst supports a welcoming, close‑knit community. 4. Apply Online: The online application form is available; after submission, the Admissions team will be in touch with next steps. 5. What Happens Next?: New Entrants start at Pinehurst at the start of the term closest to their 5th birthday; applications should be submitted two terms before start; the enrolment process includes interviews and sharing of relevant information, and all families are notified of the outcome at the same time. For other year groups, applications are processed as they arrive with possible waiting lists; Years 7 and 9 are main entry points to College and may involve an entrance test and a short video; interviews follow and outcomes are shared with all families at once.

Scholarships
The Pinehurst Financial Scholarship opens up to 25 full or partial tuition scholarships each year. It is available to New Zealand citizens and residents for Years 7–13, and in exceptional circumstances Years 1–6. Applications are considered by a small panel through a confidential process; the next round runs from February 2026 to 31 May 2026. Scholarship recipients participate in the life of the school and benefit from Pinehurst's education.

Waitlist
Places are limited across year groups and a waiting list may operate. In Years 2–6, applications are processed as they arrive; if a space becomes available, an interview is arranged. If a place is not offered immediately, families are placed on the waiting list and contacted if a space opens up.
School Events
The school has not added events
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