Medbury School

Medbury School
Address
109 Clyde Road, Fendalton, Christchurch
Coordinates	43°31′16″S172°35′16″E / 43.5212°S 172.5879°E / -43.5212; 172.5879
Information
Type	Private boys' preparatory school, Years 1–8
Motto	Play the Game
Established	1923
Ministry of Education Institution no.	4118
Chairman	Richard Austin
Headmaster	Dave Scott
School roll	386 [1] (March 2025)
Socio-economic decile	10
Website	medbury.school.nz

Medbury School, located in Christchurch, New Zealand, is an independent day and boarding preparatory school for boys between Years 1 to 8 (ages 5 to 13). ^[2]

History

Medbury School was established in 1923 by the Chennells family after purchasing a property of 20,000 square metres (220,000 sq ft) and a large family home called "Ripsford". The school began with only nine boys cared for by the Chennells. By 1925, the number of boys attending the school had grown to approximately 50. In 1955, the Chennells retired; by this time there were 111 boys at the school. ^[3] Development of facilities has occurred as the school has grown and the school celebrated 100 years in 2023. ^{[4] [5]}

Admission

Boys are accepted into Medbury School at any level between the ages of five and thirteen at the discretion of the Headmaster.

Notable alumni

Main category: People educated at Medbury School

• Marcus Armstrong – racing driver in the IndyCar Series
• Zach Gallagher – Crusaders and Canterbury professional rugby player
• Sam Neill – actor ^[6]
• Isaiah Punivai – Crusaders and Cantebury professional rugby player
• Ngane Punivai – Highlanders and Canterbury professional rugby player
• Teddy Tahu Rhodes – baritone ^[7]
• Joe Bell - Viking Fotballklubb and All Whites professional football player

References

1. "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
2. Medbury School Medbury School Website. Retrieved on 14 October 2007.
3. Christchurch city libraries site Medbury School. Retrieved on 27 October 2023.
4. Education Gazette New Zealand – Jubilees & reunions ^{[ permanent dead link ]}
5. "Medbury School Centenary". Medbury School Website. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
6. Donnelly, Elizabeth (1999). "Sam Neill: The Unofficial, Incomplete Biography" . Retrieved 27 October 2023.
7. "BCSD - Ashley White". Archived from the original on 5 April 2005. Retrieved 3 July 2025.

External links

• Official page
• Hands on science