Marsden Old Girls Association

For the first time, no matter where you are in the world, you can be part of Old Girls' Day.

We're delighted to be live streaming the Marsden Old Girls' Association AGM and our Old Girls' Day Assembly, giving Old Girls everywhere the opportunity to reconnect with the Marsden community and share in this special day.

Whether you're overseas, elsewhere in New Zealand, or simply can't make it back to school this year, we'd love you to join us online.

💻 Register to attend the AGM and Assembly livestream:
https://community.marsden.school.nz/MOGAAGM2026

If you can join us in person on Friday 21 August, registrations for Old Girls' Day are still open.
✨ Register for Old Girls' Day:
https://community.marsden.school.nz/OldGirlsDay2026

🎶 A brilliant result for Altissime, and some special Marsden connections along the way! 💚💙

At The Big Sing Cadenza in Whanganui, Altissime received a Tūī Award – the highest Cadenza award level – and best performance of the set piece, Scarborough Fair.

On the journey north, the choir was hosted in Palmerston North by Roy Tankersley, Marsden’s former Head of Music (1994–2003), before performing with Freyberg High School.

And in Whanganui, Old Girl Leonie Verde (née Symes), now in her 90s, came along to support the competition performances. Leonie was the school musician in 1949 and 1950 before going on to a career as an opera singer around the world.

A wonderful achievement for Altissime, and a beautiful reminder of the enduring musical connections within the Marsden community. 🎵👏

Read more: https://www.marsden.school.nz/news-events/news/2026/august/altissime-celebrates-success-at-the-big-sing-cadenza

✨ Only 10 days until Old Girls' Day! ✨

We're looking forward to welcoming alumnae back to Marsden for a day of reconnecting with friends, sharing stories, and celebrating our community.

If you haven't secured your place yet, there's still time.

✨ Register here: https://community.marsden.school.nz/OldGirlsDay2026

A special Marsden connection in Samoa. 🌺

During the recent Fellowship Trip to Safotu, our Year 12 and 13 students had the privilege of meeting distinguished Marsden Old Girl and former Prime Minister of Samoa, Fiamē Naomi Mata‘afa.

Fiamē attended Marsden from 1969–1975 and served as Deputy Head Girl before going on to make history as Samoa’s first female Prime Minister in 2021.

She was joined by fellow Marsden Old Girls Pamela Sua (née Petana) and Vanessa Barlow, giving our students a wonderful opportunity to connect with three women whose lives and journeys continue to reflect the enduring bonds of the Marsden community.

It was a particularly special moment during a Fellowship Trip centred on connection, friendship and learning from one another. ❤️

Read more about our 2026 Samoa Fellowship Trip: https://www.marsden.school.nz/news-events/news/2026/august/fellowship-friendship-and-connection-in-samoa

🎶 Windback Wednesday 🎶

As our students prepare to take the stage this afternoon for Marsden's annual House Music Competition, we're winding back the clock to some unforgettable performances from years gone by.

Who could forget when Johnson had us yodeling along to "The Lonely Goat Herd" in 1988? Or when Richmond took us "Over at the Frankenstein Place" in 1986 with a rendition from The Rocky Horror Show?

Jellicoe had us "Hooked on a Feeling" in 1999, while Swainson "Blame[d] it on the Boogie" in 2000. Hadfield-Beere was "Holding Out for a Hero" in 2006, and Baber quite literally "Paint[ed] the town Green" in 2015.

The costumes, the choreography, the harmonies, the house spirit... House Music has been creating unforgettable Marsden memories for generations. Which House Music performance do you still remember best?

Good luck to all our Houses performing today! 🧡💙💚❤️💛💜

✨ Celebrating our '6' reunion years ✨

This year we're especially looking forward to celebrating our '6' reunion years.

If your decade year ends in a 6, now's the time to gather your classmates and plan your reunion. Of course, Old Girls from every year are warmly invited to join us for this special day.

We'd love to see you there!

✨ Register now: https://community.marsden.school.nz/OldGirlsDay2026

Support your old school and be in to win a brand-new 2026 MG3!

Tickets are now on sale for an exciting raffle supporting Toi Marsden | The Marsden Art Show, coming this October. Proceeds will support Marsden’s Artist in Residence programme and the work of the Parents & Friends’ Group.

Whether you live near or far, there are plenty of ways for Marsden Old Girls to support Toi Marsden:

🎟️ Purchase raffle tickets
✨ Become a Toi Marsden Patron
🥂 Join us at the Gala Evening on 30 October
🖼️ Visit the exhibition and purchase art
🤝 Explore sponsorship opportunities for your business

This inaugural event will bring together work by contemporary New Zealand artists, alongside an exhibition by Marsden’s 2026 Artist in Residence, Fleur Wickes.

Find out more and purchase raffle tickets at www.marsdenartshow.co.nz/raffle

🏛️ A standout result for Marsden!

A huge congratulations to Bonnie, Lucy, Jessica, Jen and Bay, who placed second out of 26 teams in the 2026 Strengthening Democracy Project.

After six months of workshops and preparation, the Marsden team presented bold ideas for strengthening New Zealand’s democracy before Members of Parliament, including proposals for a greater role for binding referenda.

Their success was celebrated at the Cullen Breakfast, where the results were announced by Marsden Old Girl, the Honourable Nicola Willis. The finalists then enjoyed an unforgettable Prize Day in Wellington yesterday, visiting Parliament, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Supreme Court.

Read more: https://community.marsden.school.nz/ocd.aspx?action=check_bulletin&code=&mess_no=2900_1785202905&bulletin_name=news_bulletin_7&category=

We’re thrilled to celebrate Marsden Old Girl Winnie Solomon (Class of 2019), who is preparing to make her New Zealand Fashion Week debut next month with Winnie Catherine.

Winnie has also been named a finalist for the Future of Fashion Award, with the winner to be announced at the show.

Congratulations, Winnie. We’re so excited to see your creativity and talent recognised, and we wish you every success in Auckland!

We’re delighted to celebrate another exciting milestone for Marsden Old Girl Thomasin McKenzie (Class of 2018)!

Thomasin will portray Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn in the highly anticipated film 'Dinner with Audrey' – an extraordinary role in an already remarkable international career.

From her breakout performance in 'Leave No Trace' to acclaimed roles in 'Jojo Rabbit' and beyond, Thomasin continues to shine on the world stage.

Hear her speak with RNZ about stepping into the role of one of cinema’s most legendary stars.

Actor Thomasin McKenzie on her next gig as Audrey Hepburn Actor Thomasin McKenzie first grabbed our attention in the 2018 film 'Leave No Trace' before hitting the big time with Taika Waititi's 'Jojo Rabbit'. Since then she's starred in a long list of critically acclaimed films and TV shows .. next on the agenda, Thomasin will portray Hollywood legend Audre...