Dilworth is one of the largest boarding schools in Australasia, with all 500 students receiving full scholarships. The Will of founder James Dilworth stipulated that his estate be used to establish and operate a school to provide an education for young men from families whose circumstances may prevent them from fulfilling their potential. Today, Dilworth School works to develop these young men to be of good character and supports them to achieve their own personal excellence and flourish in life.
Dilworth School is responsible for the safety, care, education and development of all current and future students. Dilworth students are offered academic, sporting, cultural and social opportunities, as well as a strong pastoral care system and quality teaching. In September 2022, Dilworth was the first school in New Zealand to gain Child Wise Accreditation, reinforcing its commitment to ensure the safety of its current and future students.
The Dilworth Trust Board is a charitable trust. The trustees maintain and expand the Trust’s assets in accordance with James Dilworth’s Will, they oversee the selection of students and they have governance oversight of Dilworth School. Revenue generated by the Trust’s properties and other investments funds the operating costs and future growth of Dilworth School. Dilworth School is not responsible for managing or making decisions about investing or spending the Trust endowment.
Dilworth Response oversees the Dilworth Trust Board’s commitment to fully, openly and honestly confronting the issue of historical sexual and other abuse that occurred at Dilworth School and to support former students, who were victims of this abuse, to heal. www.dilworthresponse.org.nz.
Commitment to Child Safety at Dilworth School
Dilworth School is committed to providing a safe, caring and nurturing environment for students. Dilworth is Child Wise accredited and was the first school in New Zealand to receive accreditation.
Child Wise is an Australian-based programme designed with the purpose of assisting organisations to embed Child Wise Safeguarding Standards.
Dilworth is committed to a mindset of continuous awareness and improvement. Ten Australian National Child Safe Principles guide our school as we uphold an environment where student safety and wellbeing is intrinsic to our culture and remains at the centre of our thinking, values and actions.
In pursuit of Excellence

Inspired by the incredible life and work of Michael Jordan, this term our Headmaster Dan Reddiex, has been sharing video clips and quotes with students that showcase the values on which MJ built his amazing career.
The emphasis has been on helping our boys to build resilience, show determination and get on with straight-out hard work as they tackle the long term and push on towards their end-of-year goals.
“I cannot accept not trying” Michael Jordan.
This serves as a powerful reminder to students to put in the mahi, not to take the shortcut and sell themselves short this year.
81.4%
Year 13 students gained University Entrance in 2022
9
New Zealand Scholarship awards received in 2022 - two Outstanding
100%
Year 11, 12 and 13 students gained NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3 in 2022
Applications
Our mission is to implement the vision of our founder James Dilworth to educate and support as many young men as possible to help them reach their full potential and become “good and useful members of society”.
A life-changing scholarship to Dilworth is worth more than $35,000 per year and covers tuition, boarding, books, uniforms, sports fees and music tuition.