Darfield High School

Key facts

About Darfield High School

Darfield High School is a secondary school with around 840 students, 100 staff, and more than 1,000 connected whānau. The school's stated vision centres on students enjoying their time at school and developing the capabilities, knowledge, and values needed for healthy and fulfilling lives.

The school's values are drawn from Māori concepts, which the school describes as a better fit than equivalent single English words. The four values are:

• Manaakitanga — defined by the school as "respect and care for others"
• Kotahitanga — defined as "unite our community"
• Kaitiakitanga — defined as "look after our future"
• Rangatiratanga — defined as "become your best you"

Curriculum

Darfield High School offers a curriculum spanning junior (Years 9–10) and senior (Years 11 and above) programmes. Senior students follow NCEA Levels 1 and 2, with English and Mathematics compulsory at Level 1, English continuing at Level 2, and Physical Education compulsory through Years 11–12. Senior students typically take five NCEA subjects, with selected students permitted to take six.

Junior Programme

Year 9 and 10 students study across the following learning areas:

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies
• Health & Physical Education
• The Arts (Art, Drama, Music)
• Languages (Te Reo Māori, French, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese)
• Technology (Food Technology, Design & Visual Communication, Digital Technologies, Materials – Fabric, Materials – Metal, Materials – Wood)

All Year 9 students take at least one language. All Year 9 and 10 students take a Digital Technologies course. An optional Financial Capability course is also available. Students for whom English is an additional language can enrol in English Language Learning courses.

Senior Programme

Senior students select from a range of specialist subjects tailored to their interests and goals, with courses offered at different NCEA levels to suit individual needs.

Student Support Services

Darfield High School provides the following pastoral and wellbeing support services to students:

• School Counsellor (Andrea) — A trained Guidance Counsellor available Monday to Friday, based in D Block (Student Services Block). She operates under the NZAC Code of Ethics and maintains confidentiality except where there is serious and imminent risk to safety. Students can self-refer by request, email, or in person; parents and staff may also make referrals.
• School Navigator | Kaitakawaenga — Based in the Guidance Department (Block D), this role supports whānau, students, and staff. A specific focus is attendance support for students whose attendance sits between 70% and 80%, working alongside deans and whānau to identify challenges and strengthen support. Referrals are voluntary and open to whānau, staff, and students.
• Lifewalk Chaplain (Brian Knopp) — A volunteer chaplain available every Thursday from 9:00am to 3:00pm. He provides individual support to students, offering a listening ear without judgement. Students can find him on school grounds during interval, or book via email or the referral form at the careers desk in Te Puna Tautoko / D Block.
• Te Tahi Youth Health Nurse — Available on-site every Thursday from 9:00am to 3:00pm. The service covers vaping cessation, physical ailments, family planning, minor infections, and mental health and general health assessment. It is free and available to rangatahi aged 10–25.