St Mary's School (Wanganui)
30 London Street, Whanganui · Taranaki & Manawatū
Composite score
Established
Below median
Rank #133 of scored NZ schools
Best suited for
Students aged 5-11 in Whanganui looking for a state-funded setting with an established ERO profile.
Is St Mary's School (Wanganui) a good school?
Based on the most recent Education Review Office report, St Mary's School (Wanganui) scores 73/100 (Established) on our composite — below median of scored NZ schools. Trajectory has declined across recent review cycles. Read the underlying ERO report below for the full evidence.
Strengths from the latest ERO report
- Leaders build community and professional relationships to enhance the school's special character and teaching and learning programmes
- Teachers know students well and work together to provide purposeful, well-paced learning opportunities for all learners
- The school's special character and partnerships with the parish community promotes a spiritual, physical and emotionally secure environment
Summary derived from ERO reports + audited financials + MoE records. Every claim links to its source — see data transparency at the bottom of this page.
Latest ERO review
2024-12-06 · Shelley Booysen, ERO
- Outcomes for learners show continuous improvement over time
- Most learners in mathematics and reading, and a majority of learners in writing, achieve at or above the expected curriculum levels
- Achieving equity for groups of learners, particularly for Māori and Pacific students in writing, remains a priority
- Leaders increasingly build a collaborative teaching culture committed to high quality teaching and equitable outcomes for learners
- A majority of students attend school regularly, but not yet meeting the Ministry of Education target
"Leaders increasingly build a collaborative teaching culture committed to high quality teaching and equitable outcomes for learners."
Trajectory across review cycles
Year-over-year change per dimension based on consecutive ERO reviews.
The 2014 report described the curriculum as 'highly effective in promoting and supporting student learning' with clear documentation and wide learning opportunities. By 2018, while the curriculum continued to promote engagement and reflect Catholic character, the school had identified that 'further development of the school's curriculum is needed, including the ongoing focus on strengthening student outcomes and teacher practice in delivery of mathematics,' indicating a shift from achieved excellence to identified improvement areas.
2014-08 → 2018-11 diff source
Teaching quality declined noticeably between 2014 and 2018. The 2014 report praised teaching practices as 'highly effective' with students 'fully engaged in learning' in 'calm, settled' classrooms. By 2018, while the learning environment remained 'well managed,' there was explicit acknowledgment that 'further development of the school's curriculum is needed' with specific focus on 'strengthening student outcomes and teacher practice in delivery of mathematics.'
2014-08 → 2018-11 diff source
Achievement for Māori students declined notably between reports. In 2014, nearly all Māori students achieved at and above National Standards with high levels of success. By 2018, only approximately half of those Māori students who were below expected levels had made expected progress, indicating a significant shift in performance trajectory and outcomes.
2014-08 → 2018-11 diff source
Teaching practice has evolved from a foundation of strong leadership and curriculum provision toward a more explicitly collaborative teaching culture with emphasis on high-quality, purposeful instruction. The 2024 report highlights that 'Teachers know students well and work together to provide purposeful, well-paced learning opportunities for all learners,' whereas the 2018 report focused on leadership identifying curriculum development needs and strengthening teacher practice in mathematics.
2018-11 → 2024-12 diff source
St Mary's School has shifted from a position where it 'responds well in achieving equity and excellence for many students' (2018) to one where 'Achieving equity for groups of learners, particularly for Māori and Pacific students in writing, remains a priority' (2024). While progress with Māori students was noted in 2018, the 2024 report identifies persistent equity gaps in writing for Māori and Pacific students as an ongoing challenge.
2018-11 → 2024-12 diff source
Schools nearby
Within 15km, sorted by distance. Add any to compare with St Mary's School (Wanganui).
- no score yet
Cullinane College
Secondary (Year 9-15) · 0.2km · 444 roll
- no score yet
Whanganui Girls' College
Secondary (Year 9-15) · 1km · 345 roll
- no score yet
Keith Street School
Contributing · 1.2km · 179 roll
- no score yet
Whanganui East School
Contributing · 1.2km · 165 roll
- no score yet
St Johns Hill School
Contributing · 1.7km · 423 roll
- no score yet
St Anne's School (Wanganui)
Full Primary · 1.7km · 222 roll
Frequently asked
Is St Mary's School (Wanganui) a good school?
Based on the most recent Education Review Office report, St Mary's School (Wanganui) scores 73/100 (Established) on our composite — below median of scored NZ schools. Trajectory has declined across recent review cycles. Read the underlying ERO report below for the full evidence.
What does the latest ERO review say?
ERO's 2024-12 review identified 5 key findings. Outcomes for learners show continuous improvement over time
How do I enrol my child at St Mary's School (Wanganui)?
Contact the school directly on 06-343 1227, email school@stmarys.ac.nz, or visit www.stmarys.ac.nz. For state schools, check your home address against the school's enrolment zone — some schools are in-zone-only.
What are the fees?
St Mary's School (Wanganui) is a state school. There is no tuition fee for domestic students; voluntary donations may be requested.
What is the roll size?
St Mary's School (Wanganui) has 258 students, with an EQI of 469 (mid-range socio-economic context).
When was the school last reviewed by ERO?
The Education Review Office last reviewed St Mary's School (Wanganui) in 2024-12, signed by Shelley Booysen. 4 ERO reports are on file in our archive.
Data transparency
Every fact on this page links to its source. We never publish a claim without provenance — read our methodology for the full rules.
Sourced from
- ero.govt.nz
- schoolsdata.co.nz
- crimestats.co.nz