Meet our School Leaders 2023
Our annual education special once again is designed to bring 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
Ross Preece, Principal/tumuaki
After the last three years, we are all hoping to enjoy a ‘normal year’. It’s worth noting that our current Year 12 students are yet to experience a disruption-free year in their high schooling.
We made two significant decisions last year that will impact on our future as a school. Firstly, we agreed to retain NCEA Level 1 as the major qualification for the majority of our Year 11 students. This decision was made after widespread consultation, and considering all aspects of any possible change. The outcome gives certainty to teaching staff as we prepare for the national changes that will be implemented in 2024.
Our second decision was to manage cell phone use so that discrete use is available to our Year 13 students. This decision was made to help boost student concentration levels, their ability to interact socially and also to ensure that the harm caused by social media misuse couldn’t impact on our students during the school day. Both of these decisions are supportive of, and reinforce our College Mission Statement of ‘Individual Excellence in a Supportive Learning Environment’. We make decisions to ensure that we are supporting all our students to reach their potential and to ensure that our Mission Statement is not just ‘fine words’.
Our new block of 32 classrooms has been named the Rangitata Block. This will incorporate our Science, Maths, Art, Drama and Te Whare Manaaki spaces. As a school we have had considerable input into the design of this block. It will maximise indoor/outdoor flow and provide a level of flexibility enabling classes to share larger spaces when this is required. The Rangitata Block is due for completion in November of this year. This will enable those subjects to move into their new classrooms prior to Christmas which, in turn, will allow the demolition of our current S Block whilst the students are on their summer break.
As we consider the future needs of our graduates there is an acceptance that soft skills and dispositions are increasingly important. In particular, we are promoting creativity, co-operation and connectedness as three future essential skills. Whilst schools have traditionally been very good at imparting knowledge and then getting students to recall facts or knowledge, this skill is increasingly losing its relevance. The challenge for all schools is how to encourage and teach students to become more creative and better at co-operating and connecting with others.
In case you are still doubtful as to the impact and pace of technological change then feel free to check out ‘Open AI’. You can ask it to write an essay on any topic and it can do so within seconds. This was only released late in 2022 and it will have a major impact on global education this year.
Head Students
Henry Thomas & Sarah Wilson
As we enter our final year of schooling we are excited to continue building on from 2022. We were honoured to be appointed as Head Students of Ashburton College for 2023 and look forward to the year ahead of us, with school events returning and forming a sense of normality since Covid disruptions.
Fulfilling the Head Student roles, our intentions are to create an inclusive environment within Ashburton College, where students are eager to attend school.
In doing so, we have taken on board students’ ideas and continue to develop a culture within our school which inspires, encourages and supports fellow students to succeed in their academic, cultural and sporting endeavours.
Having started our year with the successful Student Leadership Camp we are keen to collaborate and accomplish goals while working alongside our Deputy Head Students, Olivia Pearce and Seb McMillan; key Year 13 student leaders; the staff; and students across all year levels.
The ideas brought together by the Year 13 students at Camp provided a base to work from, so that we can continue to enjoy a strong, vibrant school spirit and make fond memories.
We are proud to be Ashburton College students and to be a part of the College student body.
Year 13 Leadership Camp Students’ Q & A
Year 13 Students, selected from application, participate in a three-day Leadership Camp at the Mt Hutt Retreat at the beginning of each school year. Ollie Bubb, Laura Cameron and Charlotte McKenzie were interviewed on their experiences, and said:
Overall group benefits were forming stronger bonds as a group: interacting with less well-known people; mutual support and encouragement; creating a tighter, friendlier environment base for Year 13; gaining skills necessary to becoming a leader, which also support post-secondary school life-skills.
Personal gains included responding to challenge; pushing oneself to undertake actions outside of the normal; increasing self-confidence; developing and maturing leadership skills; paving way to successful leadership; being part of a closer-knit group; being out of comfort zone on the high ropes and gaining an awesome high on completing the activities.
The best parts of camp encompassed the team-building; unique experiences; facing fears on the giant swing and the adrenaline rush of actually achieving the exercise.
A 100% recommendation is given to 2023 Year 12 students to put their names forward for selection for the 2024 camp, citing it as such an overall good experience which starts the year off ‘really well’; saying it was ‘so much’ fun, with students gaining so much from it; a great experience of challenge, gaining life-long skills and personal development; providing development as both a leader and a person.
Craighead Diocesan School
Principal – Lindy Graham
Together we RISE’
All schools continued to face intermittent challenges presented by the lingering effects of the global pandemic during 2022.
Ever optimistic, our staff and students remained agile in our approach to teaching and learning, adapting and responding to the constantly changing education landscape. As a school community, we were determined to make the most of every opportunity, whether learning face to face or using digital platforms, on the sports field, and in cultural or spiritual endeavours. Once again, we are very pleased with the consistently high academic attainment achieved by our senior students in NCEA for 2022!
One of the highlights for our school community towards the end of 2022 was that three of our students travelled overseas to represent New Zealand. Isobel Sharp was captain of the Women’s U19 Cricket side which made it to the semi-finals of the World T20 Women’s Cricket Cup hosted by South Africa. 14-year-old Camryn Linton was appointed Assistant Captain of the New Zealand U18 Women’s Ice Hockey team which travelled to Bulgaria in January, with the team finishing in 4th place.
Alexandra Brown competed in Chile at the World U17 Water Skiing Championships, achieving a personal best in the Jump, and placing 7th overall. Along with their families, we are very proud of the effort and achievements of our students on the world stage!
Head Students for 2023, Amalia Cabrera-Martin and Meg Johnston appreciate the importance of assisting new students to transition to secondary school. Our Year 13 students have chosen ‘Together we RISE’ as their theme for this year, as it encompasses the three different aspects which they believe are important and want to promote at Craighead. The most obvious aspect of this theme is ‘Rise’ which reflects our school values of Respect, Integrity, Service, and personal Excellence. Secondly, using the Māori whakataukī, He waka eke noa – we are all in this waka together – we rise together, fall together, work together, and keep going together, which is what they would like to encompass this year at school. Finally, it relates to our ability, post-Covid, to rise and come together as a whānau to celebrate, participate and connect.
For those families looking for a progressive, inclusive values-based Christian education in the Anglican tradition, Craighead can provide a unique education for your daughters. Please contact us directly to arrange a personalised tour, or to enquire regarding enrolments for 2024 and beyond.
Head Girl
Amalia Cabrera-Martin
I am honoured and very excited to be appointed Head Girl at Craighead Diocesan School for 2023. Starting Craighead in 2019, a dream of mine was to be Head Girl, and now I can’t imagine what my Year 9 self would think to know that it has come true! Having only been in this role a few weeks, I can already see what a great opportunity and challenge it is going to be, but I know with the support of family, friends, peers and staff, it will be a year to remember!
Being a member of the Craighead community has provided me with such incredible growth, allowing me to develop my confidence through the variety of opportunities offered here. I have been constantly supported in every endeavour, whether it be academic, cultural, the arts, or my main passion; sports. This has established my desire to take on this role and support and encourage others to achieve their own goals, no matter what field it may be in.
The year ahead is an exciting one. I am very fortunate to be working alongside my Deputy, Meg Johnston, our senior leadership team, as well as the amazing group of Year 13s with whom I have spent my high school years forming long-lasting and very special friendships. As a year group, we wanted to promote an inclusive, supportive and successful environment at school. To build on these ideas, we decided on the theme ‘Together we rise’. We wanted to embrace the idea of the
students of Craighead rising together, falling together, working together and keeping going together.
I want to encourage us all to participate and collaborate for the benefit of the Craighead and wider community.
At a Glance
+ Craighead is a State-Integrated Anglican Years 7–13 Boarding and Day School for young women, situated in Timaru, South Canterbury.
+ Our Boarding House caters for up to 125 boarders, with a state-of-the-art senior boarding wing, where a strong sense of community is developed within our family atmosphere.
+ We have small class sizes and offer a wide range of options.
+ Our students consistently perform well above national averages in NCEA, and perform to high levels in sporting and cultural endeavours.
+ Entry to Craighead is not academic ability based. We enjoy diversity and support every student to discover her own capabilities, and to pursue her own personal excellence.
+ We offer outstanding teaching and learning environments, enabling students to access technological skills required for today’s learners.
+ Learning Support is offered to students who need extra assistance.
+ Student Wellbeing is a priority, with a range of support systems in place.
+ Our horizontal and vertical Whānau groups provide connection and a sense of belonging to our school community through Big Sister relationships.
Geraldine High School
Simon Coleman, Principal/Tumuaki
Our school is at the heart of our community and we have a long history of forging strong connections with our district. Much of our teaching and learning takes full advantage of our fantastic natural environment, our supportive community and the strong and positive relationships we have established with those involved in a variety of outdoor pursuits, agriculture, business and community organisations.
Great relationships are also an integral part of student success at Geraldine High School and are highly valued by all within our school. We have an enviable reputation of delivering excellent and comprehensive wellbeing care which ensures all our students, from Year 7 to 13, feel a real sense of belonging, engagement and support, as well as having the opportunity to develop important qualities such as confidence and resilience. This school culture is achieved through numerous initiatives delivered by both staff and outside agencies and is supported by our fantastic Hauora Team.
With less than 650 students it is still possible for teachers to know every student well. This knowledge and understanding enables our staff to focus on continually improving academic achievement and to provide meaningful teaching and learning opportunities for every student. Our School Vision is ‘to inspire and empower’ and this occurs in the classroom, through a vast array of sporting and cultural activities, and through our specialist teaching and learning programmes.
Head Students
Koefi Brown and Olivia Chapman
Geraldine High School is a place of opportunity for all students. With a friendly nature and welcoming atmosphere, Geraldine High School creates a safe and supportive learning environment in which students are inspired and empowered to step outside of their comfort zone and grow as people.
In 2017 we both started Geraldine High School as Year 7s, bright-eyed and eager to learn. Along our journey there have certainly been highs and lows, challenges and successes, but through it all the support Geraldine High School provides is unwavering, and the opportunities on offer are plentiful. Students are able to explore their interests outside of academics, in the arts, sports, and cultural scenes, or find their passion in PIA,
Outdoor Education, and Gateway. The vast range of opportunities and support are what empowered us to strive to be our best selves, and, we hope, will be a part of what inspires other students here to do the same.
Our school whakataukī for this year is Whāia Te Iti Kahurangi, which means ‘being your best’. It is our goal this year to show every student that by aiming high, setting big goals, and striving to achieve them, being your best is entirely possible. As a student exec we believe being your best originates from all aspects of life, whether it’s putting in the extra mahi for a test or sports game, creating something you are really proud of, or challenging yourself to do something that makes you uncomfortable.
Being at Geraldine High School has allowed us to understand the value of ambition, dedication, and appreciate that being our best means putting in 100 per cent at every chance we get.
Nelson College
Tim Middleton, Director of Boarding
Kia ora, I’m Tim Middleton, Director of Boarding at Nelson College. Along with my wife, two young children and a pair of very active Labradors, I’ve recently relocated to the beautiful Nelson region. I am extremely impressed by the world-class boarding programme that we are delivering here at Nelson College and excited to be part of this dynamic community.
I have worked in teaching and school leadership in Aotearoa for 22 years, many of them spent in Auckland, teaching at Westlake Boys’ High School, Macleans College, Saint Kentigern College and One Tree Hill College, where I was Deputy Principal for eight years. For the last two years, I have held a position at Whangamatā Area School as Associate Principal. I have a background in boarding through my own schooling and my time at Saint Kentigern College. I am motivated by supporting boys to achieve their literacy goals.
We’ve created a supportive, stimulating environment where boys enjoy home comforts, while building independence and lifelong friendships. Our Housemasters, Matrons and a team of
supervisors ensure the smooth running of our refurbished heritage boarding houses, Barnicoat and Rutherford. Beyond the grounds, there are beaches, rivers, lakes, and mountains nearby, and a climate that allows for year-round outdoor activities.
At Nelson College, legacy and modernity coalesce. In preparing our young men for the challenges of a complex world, we are guided by a system of three core values. In practising manaaki (care), pono (integrity), and kairangi (success), students receive a robust character education, which carries them through life, as future fathers, workers, learners, teachers, and leaders. By honouring these values, they will bring compassion, competency, and sincerity to all that they do.
We are proud of our academic reputation, with NCEA achievement and endorsement levels consistently above the national average. Destination data indicates that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) degrees account for the majority of undergraduate degrees favoured by school-leavers, followed by business and commerce.
Our sporting legacy is well known, with sports academies providing high-performance training needed to excel in regional and national competitions.
The arts, and our itinerant music lessons are ever increasing in popularity. With a thriving co-curricular programme, from chess and future problem solving, to Duke of Edinburgh, and lunchtime clubs – our students soon find their niche.
So let us welcome your son into our whānau. It’s time … to start your legacy.
Head Boy
Matt Donald
Kia ora! It is a privilege and an honour to be entrusted with the role of Head Boy of Nelson College for 2023. As I begin this journey, I feel excitement and a sense of responsibility at the opportunity to represent, empower and inspire others.
My journey to this position has been driven by my passion for servant leadership, community volunteering and developing meaningful change.
Upholding our school values is important to me, and I intend to use them to raise the school’s profile and promote volunteering and service to the community. It’s important to me to reaffirm a culture of compassion and manaakitanga (kindness and respect). I am fortunate to be working alongside our incredibly talented and supportive student leadership team.
One of our first initiatives is leading a fundraising campaign, specifically for cyclone affected schools in the North Island. We are motivated to support the relief through our own experiences of last year’s weather event in Nelson after witnessing first-hand the response required to get people back on their feet.
To have a chance to lead is a privilege, to have the opportunity to be humbled by hundreds of boys’ hard work and dedication is an honour. This year, I eagerly anticipate utilising my leadership skills to aid my peers and help foster an environment conducive to the pursuit of excellence.
Young Men Taking Their Place in the World
+ More than 160 years as one of New Zealand’s leading secondary schools for boys
+ Two fully renovated on-campus heritage boarding houses
+ Diverse student population from Aotearoa and overseas
+ Tutor support for academic studies throughout the year
+ Strong emphasis on whānau within the boarding and broader school community
+ Located in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful regions, with a wide range of outdoor activities including mountain biking, kayaking, skiing and tramping, as well as numerous cultural festivals throughout the year
+ High-level academic, sporting and leadership programmes
+ Students are encouraged to pursue their interests, and pride is taken in recognising and celebrating their achievements with the Board of Trustee Medallions
+ Nelson College upholds the principles of manaakitanga, pono and kairangi to equip students to make the most of rich opportunities, pursue their passions and be resilient in their quest for excellence
Selwyn House S chool
Julie Calder, Principal
At Selwyn House School, we inspire our students to learn through continuous inquiry, empowering them with the skills, knowledge, courage and optimism to become caring, active learners.
We are committed to not only teaching our young people the ‘what’, but instilling in them a desire to understand the ‘how’ and the ‘why’. A Selwyn House education, which is based on the world-leading International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, teaches our girls to be global thinkers who understand that they can have a positive impact on the world they live in. They are developing the empathy and understanding, as well as the powerful critical and creative thinking skills, that will allow them to make a difference.
Our future-focused curriculum embraces subjects such as Mechatronics, Robotics, Science and the Arts, while also ensuring the core subjects are at the forefront of learning. We have a range of specialist teachers to ensure students are receiving a high-quality, broad education, and the curriculum is delivered in a way that is engaging and relevant.
Our unique Year 7 and 8 programme is specially designed to develop each girl’s leadership skills and every student takes on a leadership role. Senior students contribute to our school culture and environment by leading in purposeful ways, supported by teachers, and their initiatives are valued and celebrated by our community.
Our strong wellbeing programme ensures our students are able to negotiate these formative years within a safe and nurturing environment, where they are able to be themselves, safely challenge themselves, and develop a strong sense of self-worth.
Selwyn House School is filled with supportive, passionate and highly qualified staff who are determined to make a difference to all students. We provide a non-judgmental learning environment that encourages every student to be themself and be proud of it. With our small class sizes, our teaching staff are able to implement individualised learning programmes and support each student in their personal endeavours. As a result, we can ensure that each girl develops into a confident individual who understands how they learn best, appreciates their individual strengths and believes in their unique abilities.
We take our responsibility as educators very seriously and take pride in the fact that we are developing the kind of problem solvers, leaders and critical thinkers that our world needs.
Boarding House Manager
Diane McClure
Selwyn House School is proud to offer a safe, nurturing, family-orientated boarding house that caters for students ages 7–13. Our Boarding House is conveniently located within the school grounds, offering a home away from home for up to 29 girls.
Boarders live on campus in a positive and caring environment, which seamlessly aligns with the values of the International Baccalaureate, Primary Years Programme. Support is provided by a caring and professional team who remain focused on helping each boarder reach their full potential, both socially and academically.
Boarding provides extra opportunities to develop social and life skills. When living with others, many chances arise to practise empathetic understanding, co-operation, patience, respect and responsibility.
The sense of community is strong within the boarding house. Girls from rural Canterbury, wider New Zealand and various international locations share their lives, learning from one another and forging lasting friendships. Each
girl’s own special character and the wonderful attributes brought to the boarding community is embraced. The boarding house is honoured to be a second home for our students.
We believe boarding is a unique opportunity for each girl and we pride ourselves on creating a positive environment where the girls are able to develop their academic, social and life skills.
At a Glance
Selwyn House School is an independent girls’ school located in central Christchurch for Years 1–8. We have a co-ed Pre-school and an on-site Boarding House for out-of-town girls and international students, as well as casual boarding options.
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 that combination of a girls-only education that takes students from their earliest school years right through to high school is what gives our students the strongest start to their education.
Our carefully crafted programme focuses on developing girls with confidence, resilience, foundational knowledge, creativity and compassion, which will enable them to experience success.
Contact us now to arrange a tour and see for yourself what makes a Selwyn House education so special.
St Andrew’s College
Principal/Rector – Christine Leighton
Despite a challenging year in 2022, St Andrew’s College finished the year celebrating much success at a regional, national and international level in academic, sporting and cultural pursuits.
Our St Andrew’s goals for 2023 of wellbeing, sustainability, Mātauranga Māori, innovation, and student leadership sit alongside our learning and academic goals for each student, which are targeted towards achieving their own personal excellence.
We are proud to be the South Island’s only independent school offering Pre-school to Year 13 education for both boys and girls. Last year, we celebrated 30 years since St Andrew’s became co-educational.
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 2022 NZQA Scholarships examinations, our students achieved an impressive 76 scholarships, with 12 of these at the Outstanding level. Even more impressive is that
Corin Simcock (Year 13 2022) was named as one of the Top 11 Premier Award scholars in New Zealand and will be officially recognised at a national ceremony in Wellington. Tom Edwards (Year 13 2022) was a Top Subject Award scholar with the highest mark in New Zealand for Technology (Digital).
Taking part in our broad co-curricular programmes, whole-school celebrations, and service activities helps our students to learn many valuable skills and attributes, which complement their academic learning.
At our recent Leadership Assembly, we recognised more than 200 students in Years 12–13, who are undertaking various leadership roles across the College. The most highly recognised roles are our six student leaders. We are delighted to have Head Prefects Lily Champion-Smith and Torin Ward, Deputy Head Prefects Poppy Rumble and Lachlan Odlin, and Heads of Boarding Freddy Todhunter and George MacLeod take up these positions in 2023.
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
Torin Ward & Lily Champion-Smith
One of the first tasks for Torin Ward and Lily Champion-Smith, this year’s Head Prefects at St Andrew’s College, was to reveal a clever 2023 theme to students, called ‘Blue and White, do it right’.
Created by these positive young role models, alongside an enthusiastic prefect team, their plan is to invigorate a sense of school spirit and culture, following the impacts of the pandemic, says Torin.
‘Covid-19 had such a detrimental effect on us all and we had limited chances to really embrace the St Andrew’s College spirit. Now we can finally return to some of the College’s rituals and traditions, it is a great opportunity to build on the fun-loving culture and energetic spirit St Andrew’s is known for.’
Lily says ensuring the theme is embraced by all students is her main goal for 2023. ‘We want everyone to get involved and have a bit of fun. We believe the theme will raise a sense of belonging and inclusivity within the College and hope it will leave a lasting legacy for years to come.’
Both Torin and Lily excel in their academic and co-curricular pursuits. Torin has started his third year in the Senior A basketball team and is an accomplished pole vaulter. Lily plays Senior A netball, volleyball, and rugby sevens, and is both a Canterbury and South Island Māori netball representative. Both students achieved Level 2 NCEA Excellence endorsements in 2022.
These multi-talented young leaders are looking forward to representing the 2023 student body at St Andrew’s College, with their positivity and relatability sure to shine through.
Scholarships at St Andrew’s college
tudents with exceptional abilities who receive academic, sports 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 John Sinclair Scholarship for a senior student, and the Endeavour Scholarship (selected on academic and all-round potential).
Scholarships are also available for the College’s exceptional Pipe Band, which was second in the Juvenile section at the World Pipe Band Championships in 2018.
Timaru Boys’ High School
Rector – David Thorp
We roll into 2023 hoping that the Covid-19 years are behind us. That probably won’t be the case, but the effects on the school should diminish year on year. As always, we are determined to provide our students with the best school experiences possible.
Our 2022 NCEA results showed that our hard work over the last few years is paying off. We help students to develop critical thinking skills and we have high expectations. We aim to extend those who are flying and challenge those who are struggling or just cruising.
TBHS operates a ‘no-surprises’ policy for parents and completion of learning tasks is insisted upon. We have the full range of academic subjects for those seeking a university pathway, and we have extensive and meaningful courses in Technology, Construction and careers-based learning for those interested in trades and other vocations. Whatever boys do, they are supported by their teachers to achieve their goals.
Learning and academic success remain our core business, but we believe that a well-rounded education should include a range of extracurricular opportunities that teach young men how to work together and strive for a common goal. It doesn’t matter what our boys do – Badminton, Rugby, Choir, Kapa Haka, Tennis, Musical Productions, Basketball, Shooting, the Environmental Group, to name just a few – because the most important thing is the sense of belonging and mateship they get from being part of something bigger than themselves.
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.
Timaru Boys’ High is a school for every boy. When new students walk in our gates for the first time, they retain their unique identities but they now share a history and an ethos that dates back to 1880. We welcome them all.
Mā te mātauranga te mana – Knowledge is power.
Head Boy
Stephen Latu
Malo E Lelei! It is a pleasure to be named the Head Boy of Timaru Boys’ High School for 2023. I am excited to have this opportunity, which will be a big stepping stone in my life as I grow not only as a person but as a leader.
I was born and raised in the town of Timaru but I am proud to be a full Tongan at heart. My parents who have influenced and inspired me so much were not born here but moved over from Tonga to give my family a better life. The honour of being Head Boy means so much more to me as I would not be in this position without them.
In the time that I have been at Boys’ High, I have gathered so many wonderful memories, the most important being the life-long friendships I have made. Timaru Boys’ has also prepared me for life after school for which I am very appreciative. Having this leadership role at school will be a challenge and can only help me with my future endeavours.
Being the biggest school in South Canterbury, TBHS also provides plenty of opportunities for each student in extracurricular activities. Whether it be in the Arts, Cultural activities, or Sports, your son’s needs will be met. I have loved my long involvement with Rugby and the Pasifika Group.
Our boarding hostel, Thomas House, plays a vital part in our school community. It is one of the largest hostels in the South
Island and provides top quality care for the boarders. And they tell me the food is great there!
I am excited to be working alongside my colleagues in the Top 4, Kowin Hancock, Moss Peake and Malachy Cleland. Also, I am helped by an outstanding group of Prefects, and we spend a lot of time helping our younger students transition into High School life – it’s a real honour. We are all excited for what 2023 holds and we look forward to having your son join us at Timaru Boys’ High School.
Waihi School
Headmaster – Allan Short
At Waihi School, we take great pride in our history and traditions. Each generation has written their own stories ‘Behind the Hedge’, from the first three boys arriving in 1907, to the introduction of day boys almost 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.
In the past 114 years six girls, all daughters of Headmasters, had been educated at Waihi and we were proud to welcome our ‘foundation girls’ last year. These first five courageous young people added their strength and character to our proud Waihi whānau and took up every opportunity presented to them. In the last 12 months Waihi enrolments have grown by over 20 per cent and the school is thriving with boys and girls together enjoying all the school has to offer.
Our school has been shaped by strong values and the rural boarding experience that we offer. We understand the formative years of your child’s education are extremely important. 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.
This is a wonderfully exciting time for the future of 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.
We invite you and your family to come and visit our unique school to see how we nurture individual success, with opportunity to learn, challenge and grow as individuals. 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
Lucy Johnson
When you walk into the Waihi gates you get a feeling. A feeling of belonging and life. A feeling of family. My first day everything just flowed. At the end of the day riding home in the car with Mum, I thought, ‘This is the school for me.’ I never looked back.
At the end of Year 6, I was sad. I was moving to another school. But sure enough, five weeks later I was back. I felt away from home, but the first second back – home again! There will be bumps in whatever path you choose to take, but when you find something you love, it’s worth it.
Head Student
Tom Shearer
My name is Tom Shearer, I am honoured to be named 2023 Head Boy of Waihi School. My time at Waihi has been amazing so far, with all the opportunities I have been given whether it was sport or in the classroom.
I have been lucky enough to play in the First XI Hockey team which has allowed me to play in school fixtures, and hosting billets. I am excited to take on new challenges in the classroom with the Year 8 teachers and giving everything 100 per cent.
I would recommend Waihi for anyone who is ready to face challenges and learn new skills in and out of the classroom.
Key Scholarship Dates 2023
+ Waihi School Academic Scholarships x 3 (1 x Year 6, 1 x Year 7, 1 x Year 8)
Applications close Thursday 18 May 2023
+ Waihi School Sports Scholarships (max of 3)
Applications close Thursday 18 May 2023
+ Waihi School Cultural Scholarships (max of 2)
Applications close Thursday 18 May 2023
+ Waihi School Boarding All-Rounder Scholarships (max of 3)
Applications close Friday 30 June 2023
+ Waihi Association Scholarships – Southern Lakes (x 1) – Prosser Family Music (max of 2)
Applications close Friday 30 June 2023
+ Waihi School Headmaster’s Scholarships
Applications close Friday 30 June 2023
Waitaki Girls’ High School
Sarah Hay, Principal
Waitaki Girls’ High School welcomed 2023 with positivity and a determination to bring the community into the school.
We are proudly a school inspired by our 136-year history of providing an exceptional educational experience. Our motto, Dulcius Ex Arduis – Satisfaction from Hard Work, is what we live by in order to achieve our mission of inspiring personal excellence in learning and life.
Waitaki Girls’ High School is filled with supportive, engaged, and passionate staff who turn up to school daily determined to make a difference for all students. Staff who put the needs of the students before their own. There is a wide range of specialist teachers on staff which means students are receiving a broad and rich education and can find and develop their passions and unique talents.
We are proudly a school committed to values-based education. Every student takes part in our Positive Education programme
which focuses on life-long wellbeing, encouraging young women to strengthen their relationships, build positive emotions, enhance personal resilience, promote a growth mindset, and encourage a healthy lifestyle. Incorporating values-based learning, alongside the academic, sporting, cultural, and service opportunities at school, allows the young women who attend Waitaki Girls’ High School to flourish, not only in their learning but in life.
That is why I am proud to lead a school that clearly demonstrates an individual learning approach that always puts the student at the centre. As a result, we can ensure that each girl who enters Waitaki Girls’ High School will come out the other end of it as a confident individual who understands how they learn best, appreciates their individual strengths, and believes in themselves.
Our purpose is for every young woman to leave as a responsible, respectful, and resilient citizen, ready to follow her aspirations, make the most of the opportunities in life and find her place in the world.
Head Student
Rebecca Dorsey
Waitaki Girls’ High School has certainly helped me flourish as a student. If it wasn’t for the supportive teachers, extracurricular activities, and the atmosphere of an all-girls school, I do not believe I would have grown into who I am today.
A key part of the school programme is goal setting, and our Whānau teachers play a key role in encouraging us to do this. By setting goals I work harder and consistently apply myself throughout the year.
Waitaki Girls’ High School encourages us to be involved in many groups and activities. Even the smallest opportunity may allow you to meet new friends, develop new strengths, and improve your confidence.
Deputy Head Student
Renee Stenning
From the moment I began at Waitaki Girls’ High School, I have felt a large sense of belonging and have been comfortable being myself. I value how caring the teachers are, and how each brings their own wealth of knowledge.
I have been taught the importance of respect, responsibility, and resilience.
I have taken every opportunity that comes my way, as you never know what you are capable of until you try. A quote that relates to my journey through high school from Nelson Mandela is ‘I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it’.
Whatever your goals are this year, in school or out of school, strive for your own success. Push your own limits, but most importantly be yourself.
At a Glance
+ Waitaki Girls’ High School is a state Year 9–13 Boarding School for young women, situated in the heart of Oamaru, North Otago.
+ Waitaki Hostel is small with an emphasis on providing a safe, positive, and nurturing environment for young women to live and learn in.
+ Our classes are small, and we offer a wide range of options to cater to all learners.
+ Our students have performed above other similar secondary schools and national averages.
+ We offer top-quality teaching and learning environments.
+ We proudly put student wellbeing at the forefront with our policy of no mobile phones during the school day for Year 9–12 students.
+ Our vertical Whānau groups provide connection and a sense of belonging to our school community.
Key Dates
Friday 5 May, 2023
Open Day, 11.00 am
Tuesday 1 August, 2023
Open Evening, M.K. Dunning Hall, 6.30 pm
Timaru Girls’ High School
Deb Hales, principal
Our main objective at Timaru Girls’ High School is to help every student who walks through our gates to develop the skills to succeed in life. Success can mean many different things to different people. Our young women of today need to know who they are, they need to learn strong interpersonal skills, have an appreciation for the value of hard work, and 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 instill in our students a growth mindset when it comes to learning. People who have a growth mindset have a 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 Years 9–13. Our hostel team are passionate about providing a caring, safe environment for the girls. A strong set of values underpin the culture at the hostel.
At the heart of our success as a school and hostel are strong relationships between our students and staff. A young person’s experience of school is impacted significantly by the quality of the relationships that they develop with their teachers (we all know how much difference that one special teacher made to our own experiences of school!). We want our girls to be active participants in their learning, taking full advantage of all that TGHS can offer them. The first step for this to happen is for connections between the teacher and student to be authentic. Once a student knows the teacher has got their back and wants them to succeed, self-belief grows, and students become open to learning.
It is a privilege to be the leader of our Timaru GHS team. We are proud of our students. Every young person deserves to feel worthy, and to experience a feeling of personal success at school, which is why our Vision Statement is something we refer to regularly: To develop confident learners who experience success.
For more information on how we can support your daughter to thrive in her High School years, contact the school.
Head Girl
Talia Barton
Being presented with the role of Head Student for 2023 is one of the most rewarding moments of my time at Timaru Girls’ High School. I feel so proud and honoured with this opportunity.
My goal when starting high school in 2019 was to make it to graduation. I now see that I’m capable of setting and achieving more challenging goals for myself, and I hope this year allows me to further explore this mindset.
I’ve always been an involved person in class and a keen representative of Timaru Girls’ (such as being a part of TGHS netball community for four years and participating in Duke of Edinburgh).
Head Girl means to lead by example and understanding the importance of leadership, whilst supporting, guiding and encouraging our younger students to be the best that they can be. I hope to implement a strong sense of community and leadership so we can continue to thrive as a kura.
My journey into Year 13 has had many ups and downs, but mostly ups! I’ve learnt from my mistakes and made some wholesome friends and memories along the way. I’m really excited to see what 2023 has to offer both me and my deputy Anastasia Skilling along with our year group as we navigate our final year, but I couldn’t be prouder that we’ve made it this far already.
At a Glance
Mana Wahine
Developing Leadership
Whai Hua, Whai Ako, Whai Mātauranga
Creating a Healthy Learning Environment
Mana Tuku Iho
Respecting and Acknowledging Our Heritage
Tūrangawaewae
The Power of a Strong Community
Villa Maria College
Deborah Brosnahan, Principal
As a state-integrated Catholic secondary school for girls (Years 7–13), Villa Maria College prides itself on the empowerment of each young woman to determine her potential. From academic and sporting achievements to creative expression and actively helping those in need, students at Villa Maria College are encouraged to find their strengths, build on these and bring them forward to make a difference for themselves and others.
Cultural opportunities play a significant role in the lives of our students. We offer a vibrant cultural programme, opportunities can be seized to develop musical interests or be part of our Kapa Haka or Pasifika Group. Villa Maria offers more than 30 different sports, so there truly is something for everyone. Students are encouraged to participate in sport, whether they strive to become elite athletes, or just want to have fun. Through sport, our students make new friends, learn new skills and live a healthy lifestyle. This is central to our inclusive philosophy at Villa Maria College.
Our 2022 academic NCEA results are very pleasing, despite the pressure the pandemic had on our students and teachers during the year and in 2021. Our Year 12 NCEA Level 2 had a 100 per cent success rate. Villa Maria College sits well above the national average overall and the national average for similar decile schools.
Our students follow through on the message of empowerment and inspiration of girls both inside and outside the classroom. Brigid Cahill (Year 12) was recently selected to represent the Forward Foundation’s development and leadership programme at Villa Maria College. The programme strives to assist young female athletes by creating development and leadership opportunities in the sporting environment.
Brooke Bennett (Year 12) and Hope Chmiel (Year 13) are hopefuls for the Youth Commonwealth Games through Swimming NZ, to be held this year in Trinidad and Tobago. Meanwhile, Addison Buck (Year 11) and the Under 15 Canterbury Pride Futsal team won the national competition in December.
All of our students are encouraged and motivated to reach their goals and dreams, to set no limits and develop self-confidence and self-belief.
With a full and vibrant College experience, balancing academic study and the many co-curricular activities on offer, it is a pleasure to watch our students develop from Villa girls into confident and caring young Mercy women.
Head girl
Ella Youngman-Mark
Becoming Head Girl of our kura had been a dream of mine since arriving at Villa in Year 7, so when I heard my name called as the new Head Girl I was ecstatic. I am fortunate to have an amazing team of student leaders to work alongside. I am also thankful for the inspirational staff at Villa Maria who go above and beyond and always have the students’ best interests at heart.
As a Mercy school, Villa Maria College is a special place. Girls are encouraged to participate in acts of service/justice to others at school and in the community. Everything we do at school is underlined by not only our Catholic faith but also our core values of whakaute/respect, tika/justice and manaakitanga/hospitality. The intention being that students will leave Villa Maria and go out into the world as strong Mercy wāhine.
Villa has a vast array of sporting, cultural, academic and service activities that are available for students to participate in. These
social and competitive activities are a fantastic way to try something new, challenge yourself, have fun and make new friends not only from Villa but also other kura around Aotearoa. It is through Villa that my passion for water polo was ignited, and this is why I believe it is important to try new things as you never know what may spark your passion.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my six years at Villa Maria College and I am thankful for all the opportunities I have seized along the way. I have learnt to ‘prize what is of value’ and I believe this knowledge along with my faith and the values I have been taught will help me to live my life as a strong, proud, successful and confident wāhine.
At a Glance
Established in 1918 by the Sisters of Mercy in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Mercy attributes are at the heart of the school: Education that is grounded in the Gospel; Respect for the dignity, worth and potential of every human being; Concern for the poor and the disadvantaged; Concern for justice.
+ Our students can safely work through the challenges of adolescence, thriving and excelling with strong role models to inspire them
+ Staff are committed to creating life-long learners and nurture each student and their academic needs
+ Striving for excellence is part of the College culture
+ Our smaller class sizes are a significant advantage
+ Our teachers are specialists in their field
+ We work to create a family atmosphere, encouraging students to look after each other and give back to the life of the College
+ A deliberate focus on the whole person makes Villa Maria a safe, secure, and inclusive place of learning
We look forward to welcoming you personally to our Open Day on Tuesday 23 May 2023.
