Our annual education special brings you a unique insight into those leading some of our most prestigious schools and the visions they have for their school community in the year ahead.
Ashburton College
Simon Coleman, Principal/tumuaki
Kia ora. Ashburton College is a thriving, multi-cultural, co-educational school that provides high-quality education for families in Mid Canterbury. As the largest secondary school in the region, we focus on providing for the varied range of needs of all our students, who reflect the increasing diversity of our Mid Canterbury community.
Ashburton College is situated on well-established grounds and has just completed the first stage of a rebuild with the opening of the ‘Rangitata’ Block, a 22-classroom facility containing state-of-the-art learning spaces for Science, Mathematics, Visual Art, Drama, Agriculture and our Te Whare Manaaki student support spaces. Our 110-year-old Historic Places Trust ‘Menorlue’ building has been upgraded to accommodate our Music Curriculum, with the latest technology and acoustics installed, giving our students an excellent learning environment.
Our college has three core Values: Quality/Te Ata Pai, Pride/Manawa Whakahī and Respect/Whakaute. These values will support our learners as they move through life, and they are woven through our school programmes.
Ashburton College has a team of amazing educators from a diverse range of teaching backgrounds and experiences. This allows us to create a breadth of innovative learning experiences for our students across academic, vocational, social, cultural and outdoor connections. Our friendly and helpful support staff are focused on offering the best care they can, so that every student is provided support to engage in all aspects of school life.
We are continuously striving to expand our students’ future opportunities by presenting as many and varied options as possible, all within a supportive school environment. We have strong relationships with our Mid Canterbury Business sector, allowing for a range of opportunities for our students to experience across the work sector.
We look forward to supporting your child with their future, and we invite you to see for yourself – I would be delighted to show you around our school.
Head Students
Tamsin Cartney & Ripena Umaga Vaeila
The new chapter of 2024 has begun, and we started with the excitement of our new Rangitata Block Opening.
It is with great pride that we step into the roles of Head Students at Ashburton College. We are immensely looking forward to working in tandem with our Deputy Head Students, E-J Elliott and Jordy McGillen, and the staff and students, as we build on the work and contributions of 2023 student leaders, and look to reach our goals for this year.
These goals include lessening barriers that exist, or separate, our year groups, especially between Year 9 and Year 13
students. This would allow for a more inclusive environment, and students feeling they have a sense of belonging, no matter their age group. We also aim to further increase school spirit, building passion and pride within our students.
As we work with our fellow Year 13 leaders, we are already seeing immense passion and effort towards putting these goals into action and, especially the focus on the junior school, as we want them to have their best possible experience at this school.
We are both very proud to be students here at Ashburton College, and we plan to continue to bring the positives of our school into the community.
Rangitata Block
Head Students Tamsin Cartney and Ripena Umaga Vaeila; and Deputy Head Students E-J Elliott and Jordy McGillen, discuss the new school block.
- The Rangitata Block offers a positive, motivating learning environment, with all year groups getting to experience it.
- The open, airy spaces are great and provide flexible use, including an efficient heating and cooling system.
- It is a great asset to the school, and its pristine learning environment should stay that way for years to come.
- It is exciting to see Ashburton College evolving as a school, where students are supported to excel through their journey at AshColl.
Craighead Diocesan School
Principal – Lara Hearn-Rollo
Change continues to take place in schools with new initiatives to consider and put into effect. At Craighead we continue to seize the opportunities presented to us and seek ways to inspire our students to be the best they can be, ensuring that all students can access multiple pathways at the end of their schooling. We provide high-quality, inclusive and exciting teaching and learning programmes within an environment based on the core tenets of the Anglican Church. It is the spirit, history and culture of Craighead that allows our students to flourish and which underscores the whakataukī Ko te piko o te māhuri, tērā te tupu o te rākau: The way in which the young sapling is nurtured determines how the tree will grow – encapsulating our purpose, means and practice.
Academically, Craighead again achieved outstanding NCEA results in 2023. This year we are introducing our new Year 11 Diploma in place of NCEA Level 1. Our teaching staff have developed robust programmes tailored to meet student need and ensure the continuity of learning and progression of skills based on the data available to us. The Diploma has four key aspects – Academic Engagement and Attainment, Spirituality and Sustainability, Community and Service, and Te Ao Māori and Discovery. The delivery of this new tailored programme to our Year 11 students will also help them step up to meet the demands of NCEA Level 2 the following year.
For those families looking for a progressive, values-based and inclusive education in the Anglican tradition, I encourage you to contact us to find out more about the unique education we can provide for your daughters.
Head Students
Sophie Mulder & Camryn Porter
Sophie and I are very privileged to be appointed as Head Students for Craighead Diocesan School in 2024! As we go into our final year of secondary school, we begin to appreciate our personal growth and achievements from the past six years. This is all thanks to the supportive and encouraging environment here at Craighead. When we both started in 2018 we were overwhelmed by the tremendous number of opportunities in all areas; however, this variety allowed us to find our individual pathways. Together, we have a mutual passion for our academic studies although we differ in our co-curricular activities. Sophie has a connection to the cultural side of our school whilst I am drawn more towards sports.
As we start the new school year, we are excited to continue cultivating the positive school environment our predecessors began. We wish to encourage Craighead students to grow by taking risks and pursuing personal excellence. In light of this, our school theme for 2024 is ‘Just Do It’. This involves giving new things a go, nourishing motivation through keeping a balanced lifestyle and supporting others in their personal endeavours.
We are looking forward to a great year!
Geraldine High School
Marcus Cooper, Principal/Tumuaki
Nau mai, haere mai.
Here at Geraldine High School, we have high expectations of our students and enjoy challenging and encouraging them to reach their personal excellence. We pride ourselves on personalising the education of our learners, having students at the centre of all decisions, and developing a deep sense of belonging to the school and the wider community.
We are proud of our co-educational tradition as we believe it promotes rich social values that allow our young people to move on to the next phase of their lives with confidence and optimism. Celebrating diversity, understanding gender differences, and developing interpersonal skills are critical in producing connected and socially adjusted young people.
We value the support of our parents and believe they are a vital cog in the education of our ākonga. We place great importance on informing parents of a student’s progress and consider it to be fundamental to student achievement.
Our school campus is positioned on extensive, well-maintained green spaces, with outstanding facilities, offering our students a rich curriculum that promotes both academic success and vocational pathways, relevant to both students and their families.
We stand by our School Vision ‘to inspire and empower’ and this resonates throughout the classroom, our sporting and cultural activities, and through our specialist teaching and learning programmes.
Geraldine High School is a genuine community school proud of being the first Year 7–13 high school in New Zealand. We wear our red with pride and welcome you to visit our kura to see for yourself.
Head Students
Harrison Taylor & Valentina Stimolo Varela
It is a great honour to be the Head Students of Te Kura Tuarua o Raukapuka for 2024. We have both been students at Geraldine High School since beginning Year 7 in 2018 and are so grateful to be in a position to give back to the school that shaped us and work with the community to improve the school even further.
Our focus this year is to reinvigorate school spirit by building a strong sense of community for the students. This focus led to our whakataukī for 2024 which is, ‘Connect and grow to push our limits’. This vision connects students of all ages and backgrounds by encouraging them to challenge themselves to explore their true potential. We feel our student executive team are crucial in pushing this narrative and that is reflected in our exec vision ‘To
be remembered as a motivating, inclusive and vibrant exec that leads with passion’.
We believe these are key traits that will allow us to meet our goals for the school as well as support the student body both inside and outside of their schooling endeavours.
We are so excited to lead the school with pride and can’t wait to see what 2024 will bring!
At a Glance
Geraldine High School is a school of opportunities in rural South Canterbury.
We welcome your interest in our school where our key values of:
- Rangatiratanga (Respect),
- Manaakitanga (Responsibility),
- Whanaungatanga (Relationships) and
- Whakatutukitanga (Achievement) underpin all aspects of our school life.
Mackenzie College
Sam Nelson, Principal/Tumuaki
KThe 2024 school year has started with an air of excitement at Mackenzie College. We have had a 20 per cent increase in our roll, with families from outside the bus catchment area joining the Mackenzie College whānau.
Mackenzie College is a successful and proud rural school located in Fairlie. We are a co-educational school catering to students from Years 7–13. Our success stems from the genuine care and support that our dedicated team provides. We believe that when students are surrounded by a community that cares deeply about their wellbeing and growth, they will thrive academically and personally.
We strive to create an atmosphere where students feel valued, encouraged, and motivated to reach their full potential. Our college prides itself on providing an environment where all students grow and are proud of who they are.
Mackenzie College is a place where students excel academically. They develop life skills, character and grit to prepare them for the challenges they may face beyond our school gates.
Our students leave us equipped with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate the world and make a positive impact.
We take pride in our unique location at the heart of the Mackenzie Region. Our curriculum is designed to take full advantage of our close proximity to our natural environment. We believe in creating an educational experience that incorporates the outdoors, enabling our students to explore, learn, and appreciate the beauty of the environment in which we are privileged to be located.
Head Students
Ceara Harris And Kaleb O’neill
Mackenzie College Head Students, Ceara Harris and Kaleb O’Neill, share their thoughts on the school they lead.
‘Mackenzie College is more than just a school, it is a second home, full of amazing opportunities and incredible people. The positive family vibe instils pride in who we are and where we come from. If you jump into the endless opportunities that Mackenzie College offers, incredible things can happen!’
‘Mackenzie College has a proud history of punching above its weight in academics, arts, culture and sports, and we are honoured to be given the opportunity to be Head Students. We are examples of grabbing opportunities when they arise.
We have loved the various outdoor camps offered; of particular note are the Abel Tasman camp (Year 9), the Spirit of Adventure voyage (Year 10), and Leadership Camp (Years 12–13).’
We Are Unique
Academic Achievement: We take great pride in our tradition of academic excellence. Our NCEA results consistently surpass national averages.
3-Day Learning Events: Twice a year students participate in activities such as community service projects, outdoor adventures, cultural programmes, skill development workshops, and leadership training. This diversity ensures students discover new passions, and develop a well-rounded skill set.
Snowsports: Mackenzie College is close to Mt Dobson and Roundhill ski fields. In Term 3, each week about 70 students hit the slopes and enjoy skiing or snowboarding.
Leadership: We have a history of producing outstanding leaders, with a range of leadership opportunities available to all students.
Student Wellbeing: We aim to cultivate a whānau feel to ensure every student feels valued, supported, and empowered.
Specialist Facilities: Newly renovated classrooms, science laboratories, art and music rooms, specialised kitchen, workshop technology and an impressive gymnasium.
Selwyn House School
Julie Calder, Principal
A Key responsibility Every parent faces is steering their child on the educational path that is right for them. At Selwyn House, we know that the foundations we build during a child’s pre-school and primary years are fundamental to their ongoing academic success. We are driven by a determination to provide every child with the opportunities and support they need to thrive in their secondary school years and beyond.
An important element of the Selwyn House education is the world-leading International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. The IB programme explicitly teaches through dynamic cycles of inquiry, action and reflection, emphasising both creativity and critical thinking skills. Students are encouraged to drive their own learning and solve real-world problems, meaning they are motivated by and understand the relevance of what they are learning.
A Selwyn House education offers balance and breadth – ensuring an excellent foundational knowledge in literacy, numeracy, science, technology and the arts, while also developing vital attributes such as empathy, curiosity, problem-solving and
creativity. From our onsite Pre-school to Year 8, we have a holistic approach to the total growth of the child, which encompasses their intellectual, social, physical and cultural needs.
Our small class sizes and team of teachers who are specialists in their field mean that we are able to personalise that educational journey to suit each child’s needs. As Principal at Selwyn House School, I get the greatest satisfaction in seeing our students discover their passions, individual strengths and the learning style that they respond best to, so that they finish their Selwyn House years with a strong sense of self-worth, belief in their unique abilities, and the knowledge that they can positively impact the world they live in.
What Is An ‘Ib’ Education?
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a global curriculum framework. The ‘Learner Profile’ is at the heart of what the IB stands for, and represents the values and attributes that IB students will develop. IB learners strive to be:
- Inquirers who nurture their curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research.
- Knowledgeable across a range of disciplines and in issues of global significance.
- Thinkers who use critical and creative thinking skills to solve complex problems.
- Communicators who can express themselves confidently in different ways and languages.
- Principled with a strong sense of fairness and justice.
- Open-minded so that they seek and evaluate a range of points of view.
- Caring with the desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
- Risk-takers who are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.
- Balanced intellectually, physically, and emotionally.
- Reflective and work to understand their strengths and weaknesses to support their learning and personal development.
At a Glance
Selwyn House School is an independent girls’ school located in central Christchurch. We specialise in the future-focused education and
development of girls in their formative years. We have a co-ed Pre-school onsite, and we offer boarding for out-of-town girls and international students.
Selwyn House School is unique in Christchurch, in being the only school that offers a girls’ only education from Years 1 through to 8. We believe this point of difference, along with the world-renowned International Baccalaureate curriculum, is what gives our students the strongest start to their education.
Our Mission is to inspire our students to learn through continuous inquiry, empowering them with the skills, knowledge, courage and optimism to become caring, active, lifelong learners who enhance the lives of others.
Contact us now to organise a tour of the School, Pre-school and Boarding House, and see what makes Selwyn House so special.
St Andrew’s College
Principal/Rector – Christine Leighton
St Andrew’s College is the South Island’s only independent school offering Pre-School to Year 13 education for both boys and girls.
This year we celebrate 32 years since St Andrew’s became co-educational.
The percentage of girls across the college is now 45 per cent.
At the end of 2023, we celebrated much success at our College Prizegiving at Wolfbrook Arena. The student performance of ‘Stairway to Heaven’, which ended the event, became a phenomenon drawing world-wide acclaim. It certainly ended what was an already memorable year on a magical high.
This year, we are pleased to be opening our new Ngā Toi Performing Arts Centre, incorporating the Gough Family Theatre. This wonderful new venue will complement the outstanding campus facilities St Andrew’s students already enjoy and further enhance the opportunities for music, drama and dance performance.
First and foremost, St Andrew’s College is a place of learning, with a focus on developing our students’ growth mindset and a love of learning. In the 2023 NZQA Scholarships examinations, our students achieved an impressive 64 scholarships, with six of these at the Outstanding level. Our students’ NCEA results were also pleasing, with achievement across all three levels in the 98 and 99 percentile.
In 2024, we are focusing on whole-school initiatives of wellbeing, sustainability, Mātauranga Māori, innovation, student leadership, and targets for achieving personal excellence.
Taking part in our broad co-curricular programmes, whole-school celebrations, and service activities also helps our students to learn many valuable skills and attributes, which complement their academic learning.
At our recent Leadership Assembly, we recognised a large number of students in Years 12–13, who are undertaking various leadership roles across the college. We are delighted to have Head Prefects Meg Simpson and Hugo Ranken, Deputy Head Prefects Holly Maraki and Carter Rhodes, and Heads of Boarding Gretal Tavendale and Alex Kinney, take up these positions in 2024.
In striking a unique blend between the traditional and the innovative, St Andrew’s has built a brand of education which adapts quickly to the demands of the present while holding true to the values of our founders. This gives our young people a combination of freedom and boundaries which we believe results in graduates with roots and wings to flourish in an ever-changing world.
Head students
Hugo Ranken & Meg Simpson
One of the first tasks for Hugo and Meg was to reveal a 2024 theme to students, ‘All for One, One for All’.
Created alongside an enthusiastic prefect team, their plan is to continue to foster a proud and inclusive school spirit, says Hugo. ‘We want to encourage everyone to participate in the great opportunities on offer at St Andrew’s and get out and support others in all their pursuits.’
Meg says the second part of the theme, ‘One for All’ stands for St Andrew’s being a place for everyone. ‘We will continue to foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity within the school, where every student feels comfortable being themselves.’
Both Hugo and Meg excel in their academic and co-curricular pursuits. Hugo is a talented performer, and achieves highly in outdoor pursuits including adventure racing, multisport and cycling. He has achieved NCEA Levels 1 and 2 with Excellence. Meg is an exceptional footballer, representing both Canterbury and New Zealand. She has already achieved NCEA Levels 1–3 with Excellence.
These multi-talented young leaders are looking forward to representing the 2024 student body with their positivity and relatability sure to shine through.
Scholarships at St Andrew’s college
Students with exceptional abilities who receive academic, sport and music scholarships at St Andrew’s College are well supported to reach their potential, in an environment with a recognised culture of excellence, top-class facilities, outstanding teachers, and a diverse academic and co-curricular programme.
With funding from the St Andrew’s College Foundation and private scholarships, St Andrew’s offers Academic Scholarships for up to two Year 7 students and up to five Year 9 students; along with a range of Sporting and Cultural Scholarships for students from Years 7–13.
The following scholarships are needs based and assessed on financial need – the George Feilding Hight Scholarships for young men and women from rural communities of the South Island; the Westgarth Scholarship for a new Year 9 student entering St Andrew’s, the John Sinclair Scholarship for a senior student, and the Endeavour Scholarship (selected on academic and all-round potential).
Timaru Boys’ High School
Rector – David Thorp
I am really looking forward to 2024. We are welcoming over 200 Year 9 boys to our school, the highest number for a few decades.
We have been steadily growing over the last few years, and these increases in the roll allow us to offer more to our students – more choice in subjects, more resourcing for curriculum and pastoral support and more opportunities in the Arts and Sports areas.
2023 continued to be challenging with a spate of illness at the start of the year. However, as the year rolled on, we started to realise that we were really moving into a post-Covid-19 environment – thank heavens for that! We managed to complete all of our sporting competitions last year. And what a year it was!
Our 1st XI Hockey team brought home the silverware, winning the Rankin Cup in the New Zealand Secondary Schools Hockey Tournament. This was a wonderful effort with our boys beating
some much bigger schools such as Hamilton Boys’ High School and Auckland Grammar School, along the way. Whatever the activity, sporting or cultural, our boys’ ethos is to give it their absolute best and we always achieve above expectations.
Our core business, of course, is learning and achievement. Our 2022 NCEA results were extremely pleasing. We serve the families of the Aoraki district and that means we must offer the full range of academic subjects for those seeking a university pathway, and we must also cater for students who want real world, trades-based learning.
Thomas House, our boarding hostel, operates as a family environment. Also, over the last five years, we have implemented an extensive programme of refurbishment, and the boys’ living and sleeping areas are modern, warm and comfortable. The supervising staff build individual relationships with every boy. This relationship-based approach is used in the wider school and we feel that it is the main reason TBHS is so successful. We want all boys to feel valued and respected.
We have traditional values, but we focus on preparing young men for the modern world. If you are interested in finding out more about Timaru Boys’ High School, please come in for a chat.
Scientia Potestas est – Mā te Mātauranga te Mana – Knowledge is Power.
Head Boy
Sam Roadley
Tēnā Koutou Katoa. I am honoured to have been named Head Boy of Timaru Boys’ High School for 2024. I am looking forward to the coming year and the new experiences that this role will undoubtedly bring.
Being a student at TBHS makes me incredibly proud. Wearing the uniform means I am part of something bigger than myself; a brotherhood of young men, who succeed in all areas of school life. The academic, cultural, and sporting areas of our school are ever-expanding, creating an environment where all students can find their place within the fabric of TBHS.
With a swiftly growing roll, TBHS is the largest school in South Canterbury and also lays claim to one of the largest boys’ hostels in New Zealand. The fantastic teachers, allied staff and student body at TBHS help to prepare you for a successful future, in whatever manner you envision it.
I am incredibly fortunate to have such a great team of senior students around me next year, including my fellow members in
the Top 4: Deputy Head Blake Parker, Sports Captain Mason Walker, and Arts Captain Tristan Gaffaney – but also the House Captains, Prefects, and all Year 13s who help to create the culture of TBHS. We are all excited to see what 2024 brings!
Timaru girls’ High School
Deb Hales, Principal
Kia ora, I’m Deb Hales, and I am very much looking forward to embarking on my sixth year as Principal at Timaru Girls’ High School. Our main objective as a school is to create a culture whereby every student can experience success in some way or other, knowing that success means different things for different people. Our young women of today need to develop strong inter-personal skills, have an appreciation for the value of hard work, develop a strong sense of self-confidence and self-belief, be able to embrace change and cope with pressure. Students develop these qualities when the adults around them consistently uphold high expectations, in a safe and caring environment.
We instil in our students a growth mindset when it comes to learning. People who have a growth mindset have a more positive attitude towards learning. They view challenges as opportunities to grow. They know that it is their effort and attitude that determines their ability to experience success, rather than some innate ability. They see mistakes as an important part of the learning process, and they are open to trying new things.
Timaru Girls’ High School is a secondary boarding school for girls from Year 9–13. We pride ourselves on our diversity, our strong sense of community, and our relentless focus on all students experiencing success.
At the heart of our success as a school and hostel is strong relationships between our students and staff. A young person’s experience of school is significantly impacted by the quality of the relationships they develop with their teachers. We want our students to be active participants in their learning, taking full advantage of what TGHS can offer them. We want them to learn to think for themselves, to develop a respect for the quality of perseverance, and to feel good about themselves as they navigate their way through high school. When a student knows the teacher has got their back and wants them to succeed, self-belief grows, and doors open.
It is a privilege to be the leader of our Timaru GHS team. We are proud of our school and the way that our students continue to excel in different areas. At TGHS our strong culture lays the foundation upon which we create wonderful opportunities for our students.
Head Girl
Koseni Moimoi
Kia ora. It is a privilege and an honour to be named the Head Girl of Timaru Girls’ High School for 2024. The opportunity to not only represent, but to also be highly involved in the life of our school fills me with excitement for the year that lies ahead. Being a leader gives me the opportunity to support those within my kura, not only academically, but in cultural and sporting endeavours as well.
My journey to Year 13 was filled with a passion to constantly improve and learn. I have been involved in many different extracurricular activities at Timaru Girls’ High School such as the Pasifika group, Kapa Haka, sports teams, community service and theatre which are all very different from each other and draw on different skills. This has helped me build my confidence, creating a positive mindset for growth as an individual.
Timaru Girls’ High School has given me many opportunities that benefit my learning and has always provided the help needed when challenges have been thrown at me. Being in high school there are many times where mistakes are made and moments
where you feel frustrated. This is bound to occur no matter how much one may try to avoid it, but it is the key to learning and improving. Alongside close friends and family who will help you through these rough times, the school community is always there to support. I, alongside my very talented deputy, Alana Berry-Rankin, will continue to strengthen Timaru Girls’ High School as a community, by upholding the mana that previous women have embedded into our kura and promoting our wāhine to be proud of who they are.
Waihi School
Headmaster – Allan Short
At Waihi School, we hold our history and traditions in high esteem. Our school’s story, ‘Behind the Hedge’, has been written by each generation, starting from the arrival of the first three boys in 1907, to the introduction of day boys nearly a century later. In 2021, we were excited to create a new chapter in our history book as we became co-educational for the first time. We were proud to welcome our foundation girls and to see our first four courageous girls graduate and move on to high school at the end of 2022. Today, just three years later, girls make up over 30 per cent of the school roll.
Since 2022, the total number of enrolments has grown by over 50 per cent. Waihi is a thriving school where boys and girls get to enjoy everything the school has to offer together. Our school’s values have been shaped by the strong values and rural boarding experience we offer. We understand how crucial the formative years of your child’s education are. The experiences, values and challenges that are presented to them at this stage of their development are fundamental in helping to shape and
determine their character, dispositions, and future pathways. We’re thrilled for what the future holds for Waihi.
The school continually punches above its weight; in the classroom and on the sports field as a result of a focus on teaching with pride, passion and positive expectations, together with pastoral care that puts the individual at the centre of all we do. Our well-established weekly Outdoor Education programme, using both bespoke on-site facilities and our wonderful and diverse South Canterbury environment, is a favourite of our students, helping to build individual character, ignite curiosity and develop skills outside of the norm and we are excited to expand this programme in 2024.
We invite you and your family to look through our website to gain an insight into what Waihi can offer your child and family. I especially encourage your family to come and visit us on-site, to gain a real sense of the possibilities that are on offer for your daughter or son at our incredibly special school.
Head Girl
Grace Moore
I used to drive past Waihi and wonder what was going on behind the hedge. When I drove through the gates for the first time I was wracked with nerves, but they quickly disappeared when I realised how welcoming and friendly all of the students and staff were.
A few hours later, I had made up my mind. I knew Waihi was the school for me. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
There is always something new to try and you should never let those opportunities go by. Waihi is so unique, and that is what makes it such an amazing school.
Head Boy
Ethan Box
My first couple of weeks at Waihi school were very nerve-wracking but after I started to settle in I knew it was the place for me. Sport is a big thing I enjoy at Waihi and there are great opportunities like going to the North Island to play against other schools and local interschools fixtures. Another really cool thing is the extracurricular activities like music, sewing, woodwork, hockey, metalwork and more.
The best part about boarding is the freedom after school to go to the river, swim in the pool, use the pump track or low ropes course.
At Waihi you will find new friends, be challenged and try things you might not have known about.
Scholarships
Waihi School Academic Scholarships x 3
(1 x Year 6, 1 x Year 7, 1 x Year 8)
Applications close 7 June 2024
Waihi School Sports Scholarships (max of 3)
Applications close 7 June 2024
Waihi School Cultural Scholarships (max of 2)
Applications close 7 June 2024
Waihi School Boarding All-Rounder Scholarships (max of 3)
Applications close 7 June 2024
Waihi Association Scholarships
- Day Student Scholarship
- Boarding Scholarships
- Southern Lakes Scholarship
- Prosser Family Music Scholarship
- Applications close 30 June 2024
Waihi School Headmaster’s Scholarships Applications close 7 June 2024
Waimate High School
Jo Hunnikin, Principal
Waimate High School is a growing school that serves a supportive, rural community and it prides itself on its family atmosphere and strong, student-centred relationships.
2023 was a successful year for our school academically as we celebrated our best NCEA results ever. With our school vision and values reviewed we looked to keep our community’s wishes for its young people front and centre. Our new mission is ‘Learn, Grow, Succeed’ which reflects what we do every day for every student. Our school values of respect, responsibility and resilience underpin everything we do.
2024 is an exciting time at Waimate High School – for the first time in 10 years our roll has grown to over 300 students. We are in the middle of a classroom refurbishment programme as we look to create the best possible learning environment for our students. We are developing an Agriculture and Trades academy that will be delivered at the Waimate racecourse to offer authentic learning opportunities for students who want pathways into those industries. Our generous student-teacher ratios mean
we can offer bespoke learning experiences for our students. We reject the notion that bigger schools are able to offer more opportunities for students.
I want our parent community to know that their child will be part of the Waimate High School family and will be known and valued for who they are and not defined by the number of NCEA credits they have. We will work with them to find their purpose. I’m very passionate about this – I want our students to lead purposeful lives and simply be the best versions of themselves.
Head Students
Chad Jalac & Georgia Soper
Waimate High School is at the heart of our rural community. We love our school for its close-knit, family feel and for the support given by our passionate and caring teachers. We are proud and excited to be the Head Students for 2024 and are lucky to be working alongside eight other enthusiastic students in our prefect team.
We are excited to take advantage of many of the opportunities here, academically, in the arts and sports. As Head Students, we
see our job as role-modelling our school values of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience and creating a welcoming and inclusive environment which encourages all students to step out of their comfort zones. We do not take this opportunity lightly and want to use it to encourage our fellow students to be kind and create meaningful changes in the world around them. Waimate High School is a school Waimate can be proud of, where their children can learn, grow and succeed.
Our Mission
Learn, Grow, Succeed
Our Vision
Working with our communities to support each of our young people to grow by connecting with others, learning about our world and striving for success.
Our Strategic Aims
Success for every student
A supportive and inclusive learning environment
Working with, and for, our community
Our Values
Respect, Responsibility, Resilience
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