Meeting Tuesday 13th October 2026 at Remuera Golf Club
Guest Speaker: Dan Reddiex, Headmaster of Dilworth School
At our meeting on Tuesday eveneing members had the privilege of hearing from Dan Reddiex, Headmaster of Dilworth School, who shared an inspiring and deeply moving overview of the school's mission, recent transformation, and future vision.
Dan began by addressing historical misconceptions, noting that while the school faced severe reputational challenges following the public exposure of past historical abuses, its core purpose remains deeply charitable and unique. Funded entirely by a trust established in 1894 by James and Isabella Dilworth—which has grown into a billion-dollar asset base—every student who attends receives a full scholarship valued at approximately $71,000 annually.
Sharing powerful anonymous profiles of incoming students, Dan highlighted the immense personal hardship, adversity, and trauma many boys face before arriving at Dilworth—ranging from terminal family illness and refugee backgrounds to the loss of a parent. With around 513 residential and day students across three campuses (including the senior campus in Epsom, junior campus in Remuera, and the outdoor learning campus in Mangatāwhiri), the school operates 24/7 to provide stability, safety, and holistic support.
Key pillars of the Dilworth experience include:
- The "Learning Well" Curriculum: Small class sizes (averaging 12 students in senior years), individualized teaching, and a strong focus on academic excellence.
- The "Living Well" Program: Practical life skills integrated into boarding life, such as cooking, financial literacy, and essential home maintenance.
- Outdoor Education: A comprehensive, multi-year outdoor program (spanning tramping, water skills, climbing, and biking) designed to build resilience and character.
- Rigorous Safeguarding: Following an exhaustive 18-month accreditation process with Childwise (and ongoing auditing by the Australian Childhood Foundation), Dilworth has embedded world-class child safeguarding into the absolute DNA of its culture. Surveys now show that 98.6% of students feel safe or very safe at school.
The school's unwavering focus on personal excellence is reflected in its outstanding results:
- 90% of Year 13 students achieved university entry in 2025 (compared to a national average of 34%).
- 97% average attendance rate, alongside thriving co-curricular participation in music, Kapa Haka, sports (such as basketball and rugby), and regional/national competitions.
Dan concluded with a heartfelt message about his greatest source of pride: seeing young men walk with the confidence that their starting circumstances do not dictate their futures, knowing they truly belong among the best performers anywhere in the country.
You can watch the full meeting recording and presentation on YouTube: RCON Meeting 13Oct2026 Part B.
