Help our boys Walk in the Light
On Friday 30 January, 379 boys walked up the driveway for the first time, for their first day as WC boys. Some walk with the confidence of having older brothers, fathers, uncles, cousins, and grandfathers counted amongst the number of WC Old Boys. For others, everything is completely new. They are the first and maybe the only one in their family who will be known as a WC boy.
Confident or cautious one thing remains true; they do not walk alone. They walk amidst the legacy of 32,000 WC Old Boys who have received the light of a WC education. They walk with almost 2,000 who call themselves WC boys today. They walk with almost 160 years of legacy.
As we prepare to celebrate 160 years of WC in 2027 we need your help to create Walk in the Light an installation that will flow up the driveway to WC carrying the names of all 32,000 WC Old Boys. It will be continually added to with the names of each cohort so that it is a living tribute and constant reminder of those who have gone before.
Help Us Rebuild The Terraces
The Terraces are the heart of our school community, but they urgently need to be rebuilt to their former glory. This ambitious project is only possible with the support of generous people like you.
With nearly 1900 students, the Terraces is the only place we can gather together as one school family. These humble steps are a symbol of unity for the boys who walk the halls and grounds today – and for our boys of the past. They are a place of great joy and pride as we cheer on our sporting teams, give back to the community during run-a-thon, enjoy friendly competition and banter during house events, and honour the contribution of our year 13 cohort.
At times the Terraces have been a place of reckoning where we have had to face the consequences of poor decisions. They are a quiet refuge on a sunny day, to sit, and eat lunch with friends. They have been the backdrop for promotional photos, wedding photos, school photos, and even a successful proposal of marriage! They are the constant of tens of thousands of boys’ time at Wellington College.
The Terraces are truly the heart of our community, but unfortunately, they are not looking their best right now. The brickwork and steps are crumbling. The west bank is described as being in poor condition and is undermined by an underwater stream with insufficient drainage. The steps are too narrow to navigate safely.
We urgently need your help to rebuild the Terraces to their former glory, so our school community can enjoy this special space once again.
Can you join us?
Join Team WC
Become a Regular Giver to the Wellington College Foundation
As a member of Team WC, your generosity provides essentials for learning, opportunites to participate in sports and cultural activites, development of teaching staff, and the delivery of capital projects to provide the best environment for WC boys.
What is Regular Giving?
Regular Giving is a simple and meaningful way to support our school through ongoing donations to the Wellington College Foundation. By making a recurring gift — weekly, fortnightly, or monthly — you provide reliable funding that helps enhance learning opportunities, improve facilities, and support students both now and into the future.
Setting up regular giving is easy, flexible, and secure. You can choose an amount that suits you – every gift, no matter the size, makes a lasting difference.
By becoming a regular donor, you are helping strengthen our school and support future generations of students. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our WC community.
Questions and enquiries can be made to the Wellington College Advancement Office, please email Pam Francombe: p.francombe@wc.school.nz
Supporting Wellington College
Help Wellington College Thrive
Wellington College would not be the place it is today without the generous support of our community. And it’s the value of generosity, through time, treasure, and talent, that we endeavour to impart to our students.
From financial and in-kind gifts through to corporate sponsorship or volunteering, there are so many ways you can get involved. All gifts, of all sizes, are gratefully received and invested into the future of the College and our wonderful students.
Your generous support will help the College thrive for generations to come.
To make your generous donation:
Then please contact Director of Advancement, Karla Paotonu, k.paotonu@wc.school.nz, 0274528058, to discuss your generous donation.
A receipt will be issued once your donation has been received.
International Donations
We are so grateful to have generous WC Old Boys and friends around the world. To help you support the College you care deeply about the Wellington College Foundation has partnered with Chapel & York to accept international donations. This partnership allows you to support Wellington College with tax-effective donations from the USA and UK. Your gift stretches further allowing us to accomplish even more together.
We remain committed to providing an easy donor experience and will continue to communicate what is happening here at the College and the positive impact of your generous support.
If you have any questions or concerns about this, please do not hesitate to contact Karla Paotonu, Director of Advancement, at k.paotonu@wc.school.nz or 0274528058.
You may also speak to the Executive Director of the Chapel & York US Foundation, Kevin Smith, info@chapel-yorkusfoundation.org, or the Executive Director of the Chapel & York UK Foundation, Kurstin Finch Gneham, info@chapel-yorkukfoundation.org
We are excited about this new partnership and hope you are too.
Please contact us anytime you wish to discuss your support for Wellington College.
Karla Paotonu
Director of Advancement
