The school elected to offer students the option of International Baccalaureate diplomas, as an alternative to the national NCEA qualification, from 2008.

[2] Bishop Moore Richard Neligan first proposed the Diocesan School for Girls in October 1903.

A subcommittee of the synod purchased land in November 1903, and the first class began on 27 May 1904 with twenty-five students and Mary Etheldred Pulling as headmistress.

The founders were Auckland businessperson Stephen Cochrane,[4] Dr Ernest Roberton, Lord Ranfurly, Edwin Mitchelson, Bishop Williams of Waiapu and Bishop Neligan[5] The former Goodall Construction company constructed many of the buildings.

[11] The school introduced electronic whiteboards in 2005 that allow students to download class notes directly to their notebooks.