Medbury School was established by the Chennells family after purchasing “Ripsford”, a property of two hectares and a large family home, in 1923. Right from the beginning, it was a family school, beginning with only nine boys cared for by Mr. and Mrs. Eric Chennells. By 1925 the roll had grown to nearly 50 boys and by the time the Chennells retired in 1955, there were 111 pupils. As the school grew, so did the development of the facilities, starting with the purchase of an adjoining property of one hectare in 1968, and major building and amenities developments in 1969, 1975, 1987, 1994, 2003, 2016, and 2019. Medbury School has moved with the times but the ideals, standards, and traditions that characterized its foundation, remain an integral part of its education.
Our passion at Medbury is to unlock the potential of every boy. It is why we exist – to understand each boy’s opportunities and challenges, then personalize an education that brings out the very best he can be - ready for the next stage of his education and life with strong values to support him through the journey ahead
Medbury aims to be recognized by parents and educators as one of Australasia’s leading preparatory schools for boys. This is a result of realizing every boy’s potential through our personalized learning programs, our world-class delivery of the curriculum, and our traditional Christian values.
A Medbury education is to be cherished, as our boys have had one of the best educations available in Australasia. Boys leave Medbury with an education equipping them for life in the 21st Century. Friendships, values, and a quiet self-confidence that comes with sound preparation will provide an invaluable foundation for their journey ahead.
To support a higher quality of curriculum delivery, Medbury has substantial resources and leading facilities. All boys in Years 5 to 8 have a personal Apple laptop, and learning environments are equipped with Apple TVs, pods of iPads, and interactive whiteboards.
Our campus proudly boasts:
- Science laboratory
- Art studio
- Drama and dance studio
- Music suite and soundproofed music studios
- Library designed to engage boys in reading a wide range of books
- Modern gymnasium
- Heated swimming pool
- Astro-turf pitches
- Tennis courts
- Challenge course
- Climbing wall
- Cricket nets
- Sports fields
Sport is an integral part of Medbury life and boys are encouraged to play sport at a level where they compete and enjoy. We recognize that promoting teamwork and good sportsmanship are important aspects of playing a sport and reflect the school ethos of 'Play the Game'.
Medbury has a fine sporting reputation. Boys often gain recognition, both regionally and nationally, in a wide variety of sports. Competition is actively encouraged which allows the boys to learn the values of humility, fairness, loyalty, and honesty through experiences of both winning and losing.
Medbury has extensive sporting facilities, with a modern gymnasium, cricket nets, basketball courts, climbing wall, heated swimming pool, two cricket pitches, three astroturf courts for tennis and hockey, a rugby field, and a mini soccer field.
Medbury School is one of New Zealand's leading private primary schools for the education of boys from Years 1 to 8. Medbury is both a day and a boarding school and has a long, proud history of educational excellence. We aim to unlock every boy's potential through an individualized education program, a world-class curriculum, and our traditional Christian values.
- Medbury offers a warm, positive and affirming environment where every boy feels safe.
- A Medbury education caters specifically to boys.
- Competition is balanced, high expectations and standards are set within the bounds of clear rules and routines.
- Medbury is a school with strong values, which underpin the whole ethos of the school.
- The School operates specialist teaching where teachers have the opportunity to teach their dedicated subject. This allows boys to be taught with teachers with expertise and passion. As the boy's journey through the school the number of specialist lessons increases, therefore ensuring that we have a broad curriculum catering for all boys' needs and giving every boy the opportunity of finding his niche.
- Medbury provides a personalized learning program, catering for the boys who may require learning support through to boys who need extension through our extensive gifted and talented program.
- Boys are taught about positive relationships and individual responsibility, alongside academic education.
- Medbury encourages and rewards success, academically, sporting, and culturally both in aptitude and attitude. This helps develop self-confidence, allows boys to become risk-takers and participate in new challenges and enhance their self-esteem.
- Medbury currently has a roll of approximately 375 boys and class sizes are limited.
- The utilization of information technology as an effective teaching tool ensures Medbury delivers a 21st Century education.
The annual academic assessment is used to develop a Personalised Learning Programme. We focus on the ‘whole boy’ so, in addition to academics, over 25 extra-curricular activities are provided to expand the curriculum further and develop wider talents and interests. The integration of technology and traditional teaching methods allows our teachers to better personalize and track their progress. Every boy from Year 5 to 8 has an Apple laptop and also benefits from the use of iPads, interactive whiteboards, and Apple TVs in the classrooms.
