Listening, Learning and Growing
Independent research highlights exceptional confidence in QMC
More than 1,190 students, parents and staff recently participated in the McCrindle Thriving Schools Index (TSI), an independent research study used by schools across New Zealand and Australia. By capturing the honest perspectives and experiences of the people who know QMC best, the survey offers meaningful insight into the strengths of the College, as well as opportunities for continued growth.
The TSI measures a range of domains including student development, student wellbeing, teaching, schooling experience, connection and belonging, and leadership. It also gives an indication of how our community experience our culture, future readiness and community engagement. The TSI benchmarks results against participating schools across New Zealand and Australia.
The findings show our school community has exceptional confidence in QMC and the educational experience we deliver. They provide strong validation of the direction set by our Strategic Plan, demonstrate exceptional trust in our leadership and confidence in the student experience at QMC.
Across multiple measures, QMC performed above national benchmarks, with particularly strong results in student development, leadership, values, parent confidence and co-curricular opportunities. Parent advocacy was among the strongest McCrindle has seen with nine out of parents satisfied with QMC.
"The research confirmed exceptionally strong confidence in QMC's leadership, educational direction and student outcomes, while providing valuable insight into where we can continue to grow." –Principal Jayne-Ann Young
A community confident in the QMC experience
Perhaps most significantly, parents, students and staff independently identified many of the same strengths, painting a consistent picture of a school that is preparing young people to thrive both during their time at QMC and beyond it.
The research identified several standout strengths across QMC:
- Students are developing academically, personally and socially.
- Co-curricular opportunities are a distinctive strength of the QMC experience.
- Students are well prepared for life beyond school.
- Parents have exceptionally high levels of trust in the College's leadership, vision and educational direction.
- Staff demonstrate strong belief in QMC's values and confidence in the future of the College.
Student development was the highest-performing domain for both parents and staff, reflecting strong confidence in the growth and outcomes being achieved by QMC students. For students, the highest-performing domain was schooling experience, highlighting a positive and engaging experience of school life at QMC.
Parent trust and confidence was exceptional with nine out of ten parents satisfied with their experience at QMC. Parent advocacy was among the strongest results recorded by McCrindle across schools surveyed in New Zealand and Australia.
Find out more about the key findings
9 out of 10 parents are satisfied with their experiences at QMC
Identifying opportunities for growth
While the findings affirm many of QMC's strengths, independent research also provides valuable opportunities for reflection and growth.
The insights gained through the Thriving Schools Index will help guide future planning and decision-making, ensuring the College continues to evolve while remaining focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for students. Find out more about the opportunities for growth.
A consistent positive story across multiple independent reviews
The Thriving Schools Index is one of three significant independent research and review processes welcomed by QMC in recent years, including international evaluations.
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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