The Smash Club (St Mary's After School House) is an after-school care and holiday programme provider in Karori, Wellington, catering for children aged 5 to 13. It's an integral part of the ministry of St Mary's Anglican Church, established in 1998 out of an overwhelming need for after-school care in the Parish and wider community.
The club is guided by the principles of being safe, kind and caring, and invites every family for an informal chat before enrolment to understand each family's needs and expectations. Staff are chosen specifically for their ability to build on these principles and interact with children in a way that supports their wellbeing.
Beyond term-time after-school care, The Smash Club runs school holiday and summer holiday programmes year-round, with activities that have included science experiments for older children, a bouncy castle, themed activity days, and outings such as ice skating at Queen's Wharf. The club also connects with related organisations including Karori Anglican Churches, Te Kororia, and Mind Health.
The Smash Club, formally known as St Mary's After School House, has been a fixture of Karori's community care landscape since 1998. It was established in response to an overwhelming need for after-school care in the Parish and wider community, and remains an integral part of the ministry of St Mary's Anglican Church today.
At the heart of The Smash Club's approach are three guiding principles: being safe, kind and caring. Rather than simply enrolling families on the spot, the club invites every family for an informal chat before enrolment, taking the time to understand each family's specific needs and expectations so they can provide the best possible care for each child. Staff are selected specifically for their ability to embody these principles and build genuine, supportive relationships with the children in their care.
The Smash Club's core offering spans two main services: after-school care during term time for children aged 5 to 13, and school holiday and summer holiday programmes running throughout the year. Within these programmes, the club has introduced more specialised sessions too — its Senior Scientists programme, for example, gives children aged 8 and older the chance to carry out fun experiments, learn about the world around them, and even design their own experiments on Mondays during term.
Holiday programmes bring a rotating mix of activities and outings. Recent July school holiday programming has included a bouncy castle, a themed Mario and Minecraft day, and a trip down to Queen's Wharf for ice skating — giving children a genuine change of pace from term-time routine while still being cared for in a safe, structured environment.
The Smash Club operates alongside a small network of related organisations, including Karori Anglican Churches, Te Kororia, and Mind Health, reflecting its roots as part of a broader church and community ministry rather than a standalone commercial childcare operator.
New families who haven't been enrolled at The Smash Club in the past 12 months can take advantage of a current promotion: booking five Afterschool Care days gets Friday sessions at 50% off for a full term, or booking four Holiday Programme days gets the fifth day free. The team can be reached by phone between 10am and 4pm on weekdays, or by email at any time — with Manager Yvette Michalska and Second in Charge Steph Harrison both listed as points of contact.
For Karori families looking for after-school or holiday care grounded in a values-based, community-connected approach, The Smash Club offers a long-established option with a genuine focus on getting to know each family before enrolment.