WELCOME TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS
Wakatipu
High School is a unique school in that it has the advantages
of being in a rural setting as well as having approximately
830 multi-national students who can choose to study in the
secure setting of a Year 7 - 13 school.
Students begin Year 7 in home room classes with one teacher delivering all core curricula. Students also complete classes in Technology (Foods and Materials Technology and Information Technology) and Music. In Year 8 they progress into an introduction to secondary school within a specialist teacher framework while supported by their Tutor Teacher. In Year 9 the more traditional secondary structure starts with students going to specialist curriculum teachers for all their studies.
Student pastoral needs are supported by our Guidance Counsellor, House Deans and Tutor Teachers. We have five house groups: Arthur, Duncan, Fox, Hay and Mackenzie and each house has six vertical form groups. This sense of whanau, introduced in 2003, has been very successful.
We have various programmes to support the learning needs of all students. The “Angelo” programme sees able students from Years 7–10 being withdrawn from their normal classes for four periods per week. The programme aims to develop these students’ skills in thinking, reasoning and self management by providing a wide range of stimulating challenges across and beyond normal curriculum areas. Academically challenged students are supported by learning support staff in Mathematics, English and other special needs areas.
Year 11 and 12 students can choose to complete up to six National Certificate in Education Achievement (NCEA) subjects. Our Year 13 has an academic bias with a basic aim of preparing students for Level 3 NCEA and Level 4 Scholarship. Some subjects in the senior school offer Unit Standards to provide a range of qualifications.
The school’s focus is on quality learning in an environment that enables and encourages students to “reach for their heights” (Ad Alta) and “say yes to learning”. Our aim is to provide opportunities for all students to develop to their full potential by discovering their strengths and building on these. A high percentage of our students gain entrance to University along with a range of other qualifications.
The size of our school and our professional expertise allows us to offer a good range of subjects at all levels, while the Queenstown environment sets the scene for Wakatipu High School’s unique outdoor education programme. This allows students to develop strengths in a range of sporting and cultural activities.
Other options for students are to be part of the NZ Alpine Sports Academy or our International Student Programme. ESOL tuition is available to all non-English speaking students.
Wakatipu High School has excellent facilities, which include a heated indoor swimming pool, a gymnasium with a specialist gymnastics room attached, a rock climbing wall, six outdoor tennis/netball courts, a modern technology room, a graphics suite with CAD, two computer suites with Internet connection, a range of specialist classrooms, a comprehensive library and an Art Room with attached video editing, print centre, dark room and a second senior Art Room that accommodates computer design facilities.
All students who attend Wakatipu High School will have the opportunity to reach their full academic, physical and social potential in a positive and caring environment.
Ad alta – reach for your heights
Mrs Lyn Cooper
Principal