The world is changing, and the role for women is changing even faster. Co-ed or single sex education is one of those topics likely to start a heated debate at most dining tables.
A growing body of research supports the fact that single-sex schools provide the best opportunity to empower girls to achieve their full potential. And, as competition increases to get into top University courses, it's not just academic success that is becoming increasingly important.
The ability to display leadership, collaboration, creativity and resilience are key traits which both Universities and future employers are looking for.
The vision at Auckland's Diocesan School for Girls is to give your daughter the best possible start by encouraging and challenging her to be the best she can possibly be.
This attitude resulted in Diocesan graduates being offered more than $1 million in University scholarships in 2016. These offers include every New Zealand University as well as significant offers from Harvard, Cambridge, Sydney, UCLA, Brown and Singapore, giving Dio graduates access to tertiary institutions globally. Success in arts and sports sits alongside academic achievement and this year, swimmer Annabelle Paterson will take up a four-year swimming Scholarship at Harvard University.
Not only do Diocesan students consistently achieve higher than average results in NCEA nationally, they are also a cut above their co-educated peers nationally in decile 10 schools, with at least 15% more Dio girls achieving NCEA Excellence across all levels of NCEA in 2016.
Results in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma were also excellent. IB scores are calculated out of 45 and a total of 24 is needed to be awarded the Diploma. In 2016, three Dio students scored 40 or higher and were acknowledged at the National Awards ceremony. In addition to this, Diocesan students received an outstanding number of New Zealand Scholarships across a range of faculties, with two Year 12 students topping New Zealand in their subjects.
Diocesan's Principal, Heather McRae, credits the single sex environment as one of the key ingredients for students' consistently high academic achievement, with results in line with statistics from across the Tasman and in the UK.
"These differences in results do not mean that girls do not learn in co-ed schools; it means that the opportunities that are provided by girls' schools enable girls to achieve their full potential.
"In a learning environment that is free from gender discrimination and stereotypes girls achieve greater academic success, are more confident and assertive, and are more likely to study science, technology and mathematics (STEM) subjects and participate in physical education.
"Post-school they are more likely to pursue tertiary study and careers in STEM, hold leadership positions and earn higher wages."
But it's not just about academic success. Heather says, "At Diocesan, girls take on leadership roles traditionally filled by males, they participate more freely in discussions, feel empowered to behave more competitively, and take healthy risks, such as trying new sporting or artistic activities."
Visit www.diocesan.school.nz to find out more and register for our open day on Saturday 18 March.