Welcome to Marsden!
A special welcome to students and whānau new to Marsden in 2026.
Handbook for Year 7-13 Students and Whānau
The School motto “Ad Summa” forms the guidelines for behaviour at Marsden. High expectations are set for all students in academic, performing arts, sporting and social development. All students and their whānau are asked to read this handbook before the start of the school year.
Timetables
Timetable information for 2026 will be available in the Marsden Portal.
In creating the classes for 2026, Deans have given careful consideration to social connections, learning styles and academic interests. It can take a few weeks to acclimate to the social dynamic of a new class and, as always, we will work hard to help everyone to settle as quickly as possible.
Portal Access
Families new to Marsden will receive their Marsden Portal login details during the first week of school, which will enable them to access key information and update personal details. All families will also receive an email shortly asking them to enter medical information and check that their contact details are correct.
For assistance with the Marsden Portal, please email marsdenportal@marsden.school.nz
Student Buddies
New students will be paired with a Marsden buddy for their first few weeks to support them as they settle in.
Stationery and Digital Devices (Years 7 -13)
Stationery lists can be found here. Students should bring their stationery on the first day of term. Lockers are available for storage.
Students in Years 7–13 are required to bring their own digital device for learning. We recommend a laptop or MacBook capable of running the Adobe suite of programs. For further information and device recommendations, please read our information sheet on Teaching and Learning with BYOD.
New students should bring their device on their induction day so logins can be set up.
Performing Arts Programme
Marsden offers a rich performing arts programme, including choirs, orchestras, a rock band, ensembles, handbells, as well as the Music curriculum, which includes our fun and innovative Year 7 Band programme. Specialist teachers are available during the school day for students to have private tuition in the instrument of their choice.
There are opportunities to perform in the school production, Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival, to debate, dance, join Kapa Haka or take music or speech and drama lessons from our specialist tutors.
The Performing Arts Handbook below contains information on the range of activities at Marsden. To sign up for activities, click here.
If you have any questions, please email our Director of Performing Arts, Sarah Wilson at sarah.wilson@marsden.school.nz or phone (04) 476 8707 Ext 844.
Performing Arts Handbook
We proudly nurture a vibrant performing arts culture, offering students the opportunity to discover their talents, grow in confidence, and participate in a rich variety of creative activities.
Private music lessons
Private music lessons are available for students in Years 3-13. Please see here for details and the registration form.
Performance Diploma in Speech and Drama
Students can leave school with a Performance Diploma in Speech and Drama. They may begin this pathway in Years 7, 8 or 9. Speech and Drama classes are also available for students in Years 3–6. Classes are offered at lunchtime or after school, with no classes running in Term 4. For registration details and further information, please visit our Speech and Drama page
Swainson Memorial Music Competition
On Wednesday 1 April 2026, we will hold the annual Swainson Memorial Music Competition, which showcases the vocal and/or instrumental talents of our Year 7-13 students.
Your child may like to consider entering a musical performance (no more than 5 minutes in length). A registration form will be made available early in Term 1 through the weekly newsletter, with entries closing mid-March.
The competition takes place during the school day, followed by a prize giving at 3pm, and a prize winners' concert immediately after. There are three awards at each level for Year 7-8, Year 9-10 and Year 11-13, along with the Nell Clere Music Scholarship, which is valued at $1,000 and awarded to a Year 7-12 student who shows considerable potential.
Sport
Sports Programme
Sport plays an important part in the lives of most Marsden students. With an 85% participation rate, Marsden offers students the opportunity to participate just for fun or in pursuit of excellence. We encourage all students to take up a sport in 2026. Whether competing in a team or as an individual, there’s something for everyone.
Director of Sport & Active Recreation Rosie Kirkpatrick and Sport & Active Recreation Coordinator Jessica Gill organise all registrations, teams and sporting opportunities for our students. Rosie looks after sports for students in Years 9-13. Jess looks after sports for students in Years 1-8.
Marsden Sports Website
The Marsden sports website is the best place to find all information about sport at Marsden. This site is dedicated to Marsden sport information, including season details, draws, how to register, results, and a space to share news. It is kept up-to-date, so please refer to it throughout the year: www.marsdensport.school.nz/
Subject selection - new students Years 9-13
Newly enrolled students who have not yet completed subject selection should email their completed form to our Enrolment Registrar Chunxiao Lu (enrolmentregistrar@marsden.school.nz).
You can find copies of our Year Programmes and Curriculum Overview for 2026 under the Academic sections in Our Schools here.
After School Care
Parents with students in Years 1-8 are welcome to use Manaaki at Marsden, our onsite after school care programme running daily till 5.30pm. Based in the Manaaki room in the Primary School, it provides a relaxed, supervised space where students can enjoy afternoon tea, a range of indoor and outdoor activities, complete homework, unwind, or spend time with friends.
Spaces are limited and bookings can be made up to one hour before the session using our booking system. For full details and booking information, please click here.