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Playcentre Education, Tawa (Wellington)

Private Training Establishments · Teacher Education · Tawa, Wellington

A state secondary school for boys located in Oamaru, New Zealand. It offers boarding through its on-site hostel, Don House, and operates a curriculum that includes both academic subjects and vocational pathways in partnership with ARA Polytechnic.

Last checked 16 September 2026

Jump to: About · Student support · Facilities

At a glance

TypePrivate Training Establishments
LocationWellington
RegionWellington Region
Provider informationMinistry data only
Ministry ID8809

About Playcentre Education

Waitaki Boys' High School is a single-sex secondary school for boys. The school's stated mission is "inspiring young men of outstanding character", with its values of respect, resilience and motivation embedded across school life.

Character development is a central focus. The school runs the He Ara Tika programme, part of the Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) framework, which recognises students who demonstrate the school's values through the awarding of He Ara Tika badges. Year 9 and 10 students attend camps, and a whānau house group programme and well-being programme also form part of this approach.

The senior curriculum includes both academic subjects and a vocational pathways programme, supported by a partnership with ARA polytechnic. Where possible, classes are shared with Waitaki Girls' High School.

The Waitaki Boys' High School Foundation, established in 1991, brings together Old Boys and Friends of the School to provide supplementary funding for the school. It supports areas including educational resources, boarding facilities, outdoor education, heritage buildings, and scholarships for boys of academic and sporting ability. Foundation membership is open to individuals, families, organisations and companies, with contribution levels starting at $2,500 (Fellow), $10,000 (Exemplar), and $25,000 (Governor).

Student Support and Pastoral Care

The following named support services are available to students at Waitaki Boys' High School.

  • Guidance Network Team — holds overall responsibility for student welfare. The team comprises the Deputy Rector, the Deans, and the Guidance Counsellor. Students have a legal right to confidentiality unless there is an imminent risk to safety.
  • Guidance Counsellor — part of the Guidance Network Team, providing personal support to students experiencing difficulties that affect their ability to learn or participate in school.
  • Deans — part of the Guidance Network Team, contributing to the overall welfare of students.
  • Health Clinic — staffed by a public health nurse every Monday during Period 4 and lunchtime, available to students and their whānau.
  • Wellbeing Time — a structured programme held during Period 5 on Fridays, incorporating workshops, speakers, peer support, and activities. It runs in Term 1 each year and rotates with other school activities in subsequent terms.
  • Learning Support Department — supports students with particular learning needs through modified learning programmes, Teacher Aide in-class support, assistive technology, special assessment conditions, and coordination with teaching staff, pastoral teams, and external agencies. Led by the SENCO, Head of Learning Support.

Facilities

The following named facilities are available at Waitaki Boys' High School:

  • Hall of Memories — a perpendicular English gothic chapel-style building constructed in the 1920s, with an 'A Grade' Historic Places Trust listing, containing a pipe organ
  • Social Centre — a two-storey Oamaru stone building constructed to mark the school's centenary, with a large upstairs space, kitchen, and toilet facilities
  • Auditorium — built in 2000 with a seating capacity of 350, with catering and toilet facilities and nearby parking
  • Gymnasium
  • Sports fields
  • Swimming pool

Curated by the KuraData team from Playcentre Education's own website, reviewed 16 September 2026.

Subject area: Teacher Education

The Ministry of Education groups Playcentre Education under Teacher Education — the broad field of education and training it's classified under in the official tertiary directory.

Teacher Education

Address

Where Playcentre Education is based, taken directly from the Ministry of Education's own address record for this provider.

  • Street341 Main Road
  • SuburbTawa
  • CityWellington
  • Postcode5247
  • Territorial authorityWellington City
  • RegionWellington Region

No coordinates are published for tertiary providers in this dataset, so no map is shown here.

Contact Playcentre Education

Find the published contact details for Playcentre Education, including its phone number, website and other available contact information.

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Contact details combine official Ministry of Education records with information published on Playcentre Education's own website, reviewed by the KuraData team on 16 September 2026.

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