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NewzSchools · Aotearoa New Zealand

Ellesmere College

Leeston · Canterbury Region

Secondary (Year 7-15) · State · Co-Educational · Small urban area · Enrolment scheme

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Ellesmere College at a glance

Ellesmere College is a co-educational secondary (year 7-15) school in Leeston, within the Canterbury Region, operating in the state sector, with 575 students on roll, and an Equity Index of 462. The school has been open since 1858.

With 575 students on roll, Ellesmere College is a large school — larger than about 85% of New Zealand schools.

The school's Equity Index is 462, which is close to the national average of 463. That means the roll faces a broadly typical level of socio-economic challenge compared with schools across Aotearoa.

75.4% of students identify as European, so the school has a strongly homogeneous roll. Students of Asian descent make up 13.4%.

On the isolation index the school scores 0.79 (moderate isolation) — this measures how far students travel and how accessible the school is, not how good it is.

Students by ethnicity

European 46675.4%
Pasifika 193.1%
Asian 8313.4%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 243.9%
Other 101.6%
International 162.6%
European 466 · 75.4%
Pasifika 19 · 3.1%
Asian 83 · 13.4%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 24 · 3.9%
Other 10 · 1.6%
International 16 · 2.6%

Total roll recorded: 575 students. Percentages are calculated from the 2026 roll census and may not sum to exactly 100% because of rounding and students who decline to state an ethnicity.

Roll in context

575Students on rollLarger than 85% of NZ schools · national median 215.5
462Equity IndexBelow national mean of 463
0.88Diversity scoreHigher = more mixed roll (max 1.95)
0.79Isolation indexmoderate isolation
344 · lowest need569 · highest need

School facts

  • School typeSecondary (Year 7-15)
  • YearsYears 7–15
  • AuthorityState
  • GenderCo-Educational
  • SettingSmall urban area
  • Territorial authoritySelwyn District
  • Education regionCanterbury, Chatham Islands
  • Regional councilCanterbury Region
  • Enrolment schemeYes — has an in-zone entitlement
  • BoardingDay school only
  • Language of instructionAll students taught in English/other setting
  • Cohort entryNo — individual entry
  • DonationsDonations should not be requested, unless for a school camp
  • Opened1858
  • Roll date2026 directory export
  • Statistical areaLeeston
  • WardEllesmere Ward
  • General electorateSelwyn
  • Māori electorate—

Location

Canterbury Region
Leeston 43.7578° S · 172.2924° E
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Nearby schools

Leeston SchoolLeeston · Contributing 0.5 km Southbridge SchoolSouthbridge · Contributing 6.6 km Dunsandel SchoolLeeston · Contributing 12.6 km Burnham School - Te Kura o TioriBurnham · Full Primary 15.8 km Te Rau HoropitoRolleston · Full Primary 16.2 km Springston SchoolSpringston · Full Primary 16.5 km

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About this data

School #349 is drawn from the New Zealand Ministry of Education school directory export dated 1 September 2026, with roll and ethnicity figures recorded at the same snapshot. Equity Index, isolation index, enrolment scheme and boarding fields are as published by the Ministry. Qualification attainment statistics on this site come from Education Counts releases.

Figures are provided for information and comparison only. NewzSchools is an independent directory, is not affiliated with the Ministry of Education, and does not endorse or rank schools. Always confirm enrolment details, zone boundaries and fees directly with the school.

Corrections and updates: contact the directory.

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