Significantly, we also administer two Grants and one Scholarship:
Spirit of New Zealand Grant
The “Spirit of New Zealand” Grant funds each year one current student at St. Matthew’s a once in a
lifetime opportunity of a voyage on the Spirit of New Zealand. The Grant is open to either:
- Any student who is 16 years and over that is a daughter, niece or granddaughter of an SMOGA member, or
- Any student of St. Matthew’s Collegiate from Year 12 and 13 who joins SMOGA.
The “Spirit of New Zealand” Grant selection process will be based on a random ballot process and
will only be awarded in years when there are sufficient funds in the SMOGA “Spirit of New Zealand”
Grant Fund. The Grant value is currently $2,995 per year.
Outward Bound Grant
The “Outward Bound” Grant is available for a placement on a Teen Outward Bound Course for 8 days or 21 days. 2. The “Outward Bound” Grant entitles the holder to use the grant for payment of her Outward Bound Course. The grant covers the partial course costs (presently $2,500 incl GST but subject to change), all other costs are met by the individual receiving the grant. The Grant Recipient (or their parents/caregivers) must cover these costs.
The Grant is open to either:
- Any student who is 16 years and over that is a daughter, niece or granddaughter of an SMOGA member, or
- Any student of St. Matthew’s Collegiate from Year 12 and 13 who joins SMOGA.
The “Outward Bound” Grant selection process will be based on a random ballot process and will only be awarded in years when there are sufficient funds in the SMOGA “Outward Bound” Grant Fund. The Grant value is currently $2,500 per year.
Gretchen Williamson – Excellence in Commerce Scholarship
A St Matthew’s student from 1986-1992, Gretchen Williamson has built a successful career in financial advice internationally. She challenged the male-dominated investment business to become the first female advisor at Craigs Investment Partners in Auckland and has built a top tier business there as the first female in the top 5 in its 40-year history.
Gretchen is a champion for women. She advocates for and encourages other women to follow in her footsteps and gain access to the kind of fulfilling career she’s carved out for herself. She’s also a champion for education, believing it to be key to improving outcomes for women. She is determined to do all she can to close the wealth gap for women, improving education and access to female investment advisers.
Gretchen has generously offered both an annual scholarship for a Year 13 student looking to study commerce and to mentor the recipient throughout the scholarship term. Gretchen hopes that this support will give young women the confidence to succeed and in turn to lift others up.
The scholarship will be awarded to an exceptional Year 13 student who is going to study Commerce. It will be for a total of $5,000, with $2,500 paid at the beginning of Years 1 and 2.
Applications will open to current Year 13 students on 1st September each year. The scholarship winner will be announced at St Matthew’s Prizegiving in December.
For more information about both Grants, and to apply visit the Academic/Scholarships tab on the school website: Scholarships – St. Matthew’s Collegiate School for Girls (stmatts.school.nz)
Note: Terms and conditions for all grants apply and they are administrated by the SMOGA Grants Committee
All leavers are offered the opportunity to become Life Members of the Association by paying a one-off fee at the conclusion of their days at St Matt’s. We then keep in touch with those members via an annual magazine which is full of articles and news of Old Girls. We keep an up to date database of past pupils, but to do this we need YOUR help by letting us know what you, your friends and family members are up to.
Decade Reunions
If you would like to be part of the decade reunions these are held at King’s Birthday Weekend every year for the Classes who finished their 7th Form/Year 13 year in the year ending of the current year e.g. 2025 would be those of you from Classes 1965,1975,1985,1995,2005,2015. For more information visit the SMOGA website: https://www.smoga.org.nz/events/
or ROBA website : https://www.rathkealeoldboys.org.nz/reunions/
