Whakatane High School

Whakatane High School is a secondary school located in the town of Whakatane, New Zealand. As of 2019, the school has a roll of 1000 students and aims to offer every student an equal opportunity to succeed with strong values around responsibility, respect and achievement. Whakatane High School has a 100 year history as a co-educational public high school, opening in 1920 as Whakatane District High School, becoming a full high school in 1950.[3] The school will be holding its centennial on 2–3 April 2021, postponed from 2020.[4]

Whakatane High School
Location
Goulstone Road
Whakatane 3120
New Zealand
Coordinates37.9621°S 176.9854°E / -37.9621; 176.9854
Information
Funding typeState
MottoKia Whakatane Au I Ahau
Opened1920 (As Whakatane District High School)
Ministry of Education Institution no.144
PrincipalMartyn Knapton
Years offered9–13
GenderCo-educational
Number of students1063[1] (March 2020)
Hours in school day6.5 hours (including form time)
HousesKauri, Rimu, Totara, Matai
Colour(s)   Black, Gold
SloganChallenging Students to Achieve
Socio-economic decile4K[2]
Websitewww.whakatanehigh.school.nz

History

Whakatane High School is 100 years old, opening in 1920 as Whakatane District High School, becoming a full high school in 1950.

Facilities and buildings

The school consists of a field, gymnasium (a separate gymnastics building operated by the local Gymnastics Club lies next to it), school & student office, Careers Centre, the Barclay Hall, a library (named in November 2011 after New Zealand author Margaret Mahy, who went to Whakatane High School for a period of time), and numerous buildings split into blocks including: N block (Mainly used for Math, and ICT), T Block (Mainly used for Technology), B Block (Mainly for English, Social Studies and related subjects), A block (Multiple subjects including Languages and Health), C Block (Mainly for art and related subjects) and L Block (Mainly for science and related subjects).

Students

As of 2018, the school has 800 students. Of this, 55% are female, and 45% male. Also, 52% are Maori, 37% are New Zealand European and 11% are of another ethnicity. The school had 27 international students staying at the school.[5]

Unique Programs

Whakatane High School offers a number of unique programmes:

  • Advanced Learning Programme
  • International Student Programme
  • Marine Studies
  • Te Aka Matua
  • Outdoor Education
  • Mechatronics

Students also have the opportunity to join extracurricular activities such as; vocal or instrument lessons, team sports such as; hockey, soccer, rugby, basketball, volleyball, cricket, tennis, netball etc. Whakatane High School has a successful sporting history with current and alumni New Zealand sporting representatives.[6]

Houses

Students at Whakatane High School are split into one of four houses. Each house is named after a tree that is native to New Zealand. Students compete in school related sporting and cultural events to win points for their house. At the end of the year, one house is named champion for that year. The houses are represented by a colour and are listed below:

  • Matai  
  • Kauri  
  • Totara  
  • Rimu  

Notable alumni

References
  1. "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  2. "Decile Change 2014 to 2015 for State & State Integrated Schools". Ministry of Education. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  3. "Welcome". Whakatane High School. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
  4. "Centennial 2021". Whakatane High School. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  5. "Whakatane High School - 26/03/2018 ERO". www.ero.govt.nz/. Education Review Office. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  6. "Our Story". Whakatane High School. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
  7. Gustafson, Barry (1986). The First 50 Years : A History of the New Zealand National Party. Auckland: Reed Methuen. p. 341. ISBN 0-474-00177-6.
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