Treasures from the Villa Maria College Archive

A small selection of treasures that can be found in the Villa Maria Archive collection including photographs, sketches and objects from throughout its 100 year history. 

The Sisters of Mercy purchased the property on which the College is now situated in 1917 and the school was opened on 18 February 1918 with 14 pupils enrolled.  In 1921, the sisters staffed and provided classroom space for a new Riccarton Parish School, which eventually became known as the Meadow School, for those Catholic families who could not afford to pay for their children’s education. When another Catholic school (St Teresa’s) opened nearby in 1937, boys were transferred from Villa and from 1941 the school reverted to being a college for girls. The boarding school phased out from 1979 and Villa Maria became a day school. In 1981 the College was integrated into the New Zealand state school system. With the resignation of the last Sister of Mercy Principal in 1992, the first lay Principal was appointed. In 1995 the Sisters gifted the Villa Maria convent buildings to the College for use as classrooms. Villa Maria College, together with the Sisters of Mercy, and past and present students and staff, celebrated the College’s 100th Birthday in 2018. 

The Meadow School

In 1921, the sisters staffed and provided classroom space for a new Riccarton Parish School, which eventually became known as the Meadow School, for those Catholic families who could not afford to pay for their children’s education.

Although the parish pupils shared space with the Villa girls, it is unlikely that they shared classes, rather the two separate schools shared the same site. This was common with this multi-tiered style of schooling and a distinction between schools was often marked by a physical symbol such separate school gates. Here, the Villa girls wore blue shirts with their uniform while the parish pupils wore white. 

With the arrival of Rolf and Wolfgang Just to the college in 1967 music at Villa received a much-needed boost. By 1969 the choir had adopted the name Schola Cantorum. In 1971 the choir recorded an LP record and in 1972 the choir was invited to preform at the opening of the Christchurch Town Hall. 

Villa Maria's first Debutante Ball took place on 29th April 1954 a combined effort of the Old Girls Association (now Past Pupils' Association) and the P.T.A.   By 1992 the event name was changed to ‘Leavers Ball.’ The event remained unchanged and still included being presented to the Bishop as the official mark of a young woman making her debut on the adult social scene. The Leavers’ Ball continued for another five years, running alongside the new Graduation event until 1998.