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Johnson Family, September 2025

Dear Principal,

We have just concluded our enrolment and introduction to Grammar and I wanted to take the time to write an email of gratitude for the kindness and care we have experienced throughout the process.  

Yesterday, our child had his third and final experience day and collected his uniform ahead of starting next term. As with all his earlier visits, he was welcomed with warmth, care, and a genuine interest in who he is as a person and what he enjoys learning. The experience from our first tour has been nothing short of exceptional.

When we first visited Grammar five weeks ago, we were only considering the possibility of enrolment for next year or the year after. Indeed, he already had a place secured at another independent school from Year 5 so we came with curiosity, but no firm intent. 

From the very beginning, the Director of Enrolments was responsive to our emails, welcomed us on our tour, and gave us as much time as we needed. She answered every question we thought to ask, and many we hadn’t considered. Our child’s prospective teachers made time to meet us, to talk through our son’s learning, and the chaplain introduced herself with kindness. It felt less like meeting staff at a school and more like being welcomed into a family. 

By the day after that first visit, our decision was clear—we wanted our son to start, not next year, but next term. This was his decision, and we were happy that he was able to take such a significant step. When we spoke with him about why he wanted to move schools, he talked about how the structure suited him, how friendly everyone was, how he liked that the principal walked around and met the students, and finished with a statement to end all debate; “It felt like coming home.” 

Our son’s classroom experience days were wonderful and the flexibility to have three days prior to the change was much appreciated. At the end of the final day, he was so enthusiastic he insisted on wearing his uniform home. Every visit was easy to arrange, and the consistent message we received, both in words and in actions, was, “What can we do to make this transition easier?” and “How can we help?” Whether it was something big or small, the care shown was always thoughtful, personalised, and genuine. The Director of Enrolments, Office Administrator, Year 3 teacher, and Receptionist have made sure that nothing was a problem, and we were made to feel that if we needed something, we just had to ask, and common sense always led the way. 

Transitions midway through primary school can be disruptive and challenging. I’ve taught for twelve years, and I know firsthand how easily they can go either way in terms of the effect on learning, and on social relationships. Yet we feel no hesitation at all; instead, we feel excited, and our son is ready to step forward as the best version of himself.

I want to thank the Principal for fostering such a culture of care, to commend the Director of Enrolments and Year 3 teacher, and to acknowledge all the wonderful staff we have met. Please accept this as both a note of thanks and a testimonial for other parents who may be considering Grammar for their own children. 

I look forward to seeing you around next term as our child starts his journey. 

 
Johnson Family

Clark Family

The Cathedral Grammar School has been an amazing school for our daughter who wasn't being challenged enough in the public system. It provided a small class environment and allowed our daughter to extend herself in both English and Mathematics by offering extension classes. There were an outstanding number of extend options to get involved in and great leadership opportunities. The teachers were incredibly supportive and  she is now very well prepared for her Secondary education. It was only from the advice of her teachers that she chose to sit the Scholarship exams for high school and managed to secure an academic scholarship to an Independent High School. I believe The Cathedral Grammar School is amazing and would highly recommend it.

Cahill Family
Our daughter joined TCGS in Year 7 and has thoroughly enjoyed her first year at the school. TCGS provides a comprehensive and balanced approach to education and a broad suite of accessible extra-curricular activities for all children. She has received strong support from talented and dedicated staff and we feel that she has benefited greatly from TCGS’s smaller class sizes. The school community is fantastic and very involved. We are very pleased with our choice of school and have no hesitation recommending TCGS to others. 

Thomas Family, Grandparent
My whāngai grandchildren have been part of the Cathedral Grammar School community for several years now having transferred from another primary school. This testimonial comes from my perspective in a grandparent role with children in the Junior School. The pastoral care is second to none. The children have been so well supported to settle securely and therefore be able to thrive within the school environment, and take full take advantage of the excellent teaching, and broad range of opportunities available to them. Whenever I have been at any of the wide variation of school activities, it has always struck me how all the children appear very happy and regulated, calmly confident and as though they have a real sense of belonging. It really feels as though the entire Cathedral Grammar School team know, and care about the children as individuals. In my experience the school is not just highly professional but unfailingly welcoming, safe, and friendly.

Brown Family
Our son has absolutely enjoyed his 8 years at The Cathedral Grammar School. It has also been a pleasure for us, as parents, to see him growing from a wee boy into a confident young man successful across a number of areas. The academic excellence, musical competency and leadership skill development provided at Cathedral Grammar, has given him a great foundation from which to build on as he moves onto his next learning experience at secondary school.  Our son has not only enjoyed the range of activities provided at Cathedral Grammar from; sport, outside activities, opportunity to join the Cathedral choir, extension classes, music performances and leadership opportunities, but the school has also supported and helped develop in him a respect for his teachers, fellow students and others generally.

The Cathedral Grammar school produces students that are well rounded in all aspects of life, academically and morally. The school supports and helps students to be the best that they can be. If this is what you would want for your child, I would recommend The Cathedral Grammar School as one of the best to help develop and guide your child to achieve that goal.

Thatcher Family
We are extremely happy with our choice to move our son to the Pre-School. Throughout his time here, he has grown in so many ways. He is much more confident, has some great friendships and is developing into a really caring and thoughtful little man. All of the staff really seem invested in who he is and his needs, which is wonderful.

As a nervous child, I really believe he is now well prepared for his transition next year to the Junior School. Watching all of his peers leave and seeing them over the fence has really helped his understanding of what will come next.

The number of other opportunities on offer is amazing. He has tried dance, gymnastics, sports, library visits and will start art and piano soon! Friends of ours commented their child had just been on his first excursion at his Pre School and it really made me value the weekly activities at Cathedral Grammar. Such an incredible timetable! And incredible staff!

Plato Family
Both of my daughters have had the privilege of attending The Cathedral Grammar School, and I have been consistently impressed with the incredible environment they provide for children.

The Pre-School offers exceptional learning and education, complemented by a wide range of extracurricular opportunities that enrich the children's experience. Beyond academics, they provide well-rounded support to help children grow holistically, encouraging them to embrace their individuality and build on their unique strengths.

The teachers and the culture at the Pre-School are truly exceptional. It is a long-standing group of dedicated educators who care deeply about the children and are wonderful leaders and role models. 

Being an integral part of The Cathedral Grammar School provides a seamless and highly beneficial start to their school life.

I wholeheartedly recommend The Cathedral Grammar Pre-School to any family seeking an outstanding early childhood education experience.

Falzon Family
I'm so grateful for the warm welcome our daughter has received at TCGS Pre-School this year. From our very first visit, we knew TCGS was the perfect fit. We wanted a place that would celebrate her creative personality and help her build strong connections with both her peers and the staff—and TCGS has exceeded all of our expectations.

Our daughter has struggled with going to pre-school in the past, but the caring and supportive staff here have made all the difference. She now happily waves me off with a smile on her face every morning, eager for the day ahead. It's a joy to see her so happy and thriving.

We are so thankful for everything TCGS has done to make this transition so seamless for her. We look forward to watching her continue to grow and flourish with all the wonderful opportunities TCGS has to offer.

Manning Family 
Our two daughters have both been enrolled at The Cathedral Grammar Pre-School. Our eldest daughter is now at The Cathedral Grammar School, and our younger daughter is still at the Pre-School. Both girls have thrived at the Pre-School – the teachers are warm and welcoming and the environment is lovely. There is a very well set up (and large) indoor space with numerous toys and learning activities,  and also a large outside area with a playhouse, sandpit, bikes etc. The children all benefit from the excellent teacher-child ratios. Every child is treated as an individual, and as the children grow they are encouraged to become responsible and independent, appropriate to their age, with the “Transition to School” programme being an important part of that. Staff turnover is very low and the children benefit greatly from the stable and ongoing relationships with their teachers. It is very reassuring to know that the girls have been so happy at the Pre-School and we very much recommend the Pre-School to prospective parents.