Independent International Research Confirms QMC Students are Thriving
The PISA Study 2025, an internationally recognised education research programme, found that QMC students are achieving at exceptionally high levels academically while also demonstrating strong wellbeing, belonging and confidence in their futures.
The global study, whose standards are set by the OECD, describes itself as an independent health check for education. It assesses how well 15-year-old students worldwide can apply their learning to real-world problems and situations. Alongside academic testing, students also share their perspectives on learning, wellbeing, future aspirations and life at school.
In Mathematics, Science and English testing, QMC students significantly outperformed both the New Zealand average and comparable independent schools.
Student responses about learning and life at QMC revealed a community of young people who are curious, motivated and ambitious; who feel safe, respected and connected; and who are actively preparing for life beyond school in a rapidly evolving world.
The study provides a valuable independent and international perspective on how QMC is supporting students to thrive academically, personally and beyond school. The findings highlight the College's strengths and commitment to developing future-focused learners, while also identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
The study identified four key strengths of QMC:
- Academic excellence
- Safe, connected and supported students
- Curious and motivated learners
- Students who are ready for life beyond school
Students are overwhelming positive about life and learning at QMC
Some of the strongest themes to emerge from the student voice findings was that students at QMC have an exceptionally strong sense of safety, connection and belonging. These findings provide valuable insight into the day-to-day experiences at QMC.
Students feel safe at QMC
100%
of students feel safe in classrooms
100%
of students feel safe in student spaces
Students have strong relationships with teachers and other students
100%
of students say teachers are respectful
100%
of students say teachers are friendly
100%
of students say they believe other students seem to like them
87%
of students say they make friends easily
Students feel like they belong at QMC
93%
of students said they feel like they belong
87%
of students said they see their identity, culture and language reflected positively
Three Independent Reviews. One Consistent Story.
The PISA Study is one of three significant independent research and review processes undertaken by QMC in recent years.
While each had a different purpose and methodology, all three arrived at remarkably similar conclusions. Together, they reinforce QMC's strengths in academic excellence, student wellbeing, future readiness and continuous improvement.
The consistency across these independent evaluations provides valuable confidence that the strengths identified are not isolated findings. Rather, they are part of a broader and well-established pattern of QMC preparing students to thrive academically, personally and beyond school in an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving world.
Find out more about the other research.
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