Waimate High School

Key facts

About Waimate High School

Waimate High School is a co-educational state school in Waimate, South Canterbury, catering to students in Years 7 to 13 with a roll of approximately 300–310 students. The school describes itself as a hub of a rural community.

The school follows the New Zealand Curriculum, including its principles, values, and key competencies. Three stated values — Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience — are described as underpinning school life.

Waimate High School is not faith-based or Māori-medium. Its stated mission is to provide a supportive learning environment equipping students with knowledge, skills, and attitudes for life beyond school.

Enrolment

Waimate High School accepts new enrolments online or via paper packs available from the school office at Paul Street, Waimate. Following an application, the school arranges an interview with the Principal or a senior staff member, at which subject choices and other questions can be discussed. The school can also arrange a guided visit for prospective students and families if contacted in advance.

No enrolment zone boundaries, priority criteria, or required documents are specified in the school's published enrolment information.

Curriculum

Year 7 & 8

Year 7 and 8 students are organised into four Homeroom classes, spending 12 periods per week with their Homeroom teacher across the following subjects:

• English
• Mathematics
• Social Studies
• Māori
• Learning Advisory

In addition to Homeroom, all Year 7 and 8 students study Science and Physical Education throughout the year.

Students also rotate through Technology and Arts subjects:

• Food Technology
• Digital Technology
• Hard Materials
• Art
• Music
• Graphics
• Drama

Structured programmes available to Year 7 and 8 students include iDeal Structured Literacy, Otago Problem Challenge, Buddy Reading, Keeping Ourselves Safe, and Kia Kaha.

Co-curricular Activities and Sports

Waimate High School offers the following named sports and activities, coordinated through the school's sports programme:

• Athletics — Terms 1 and 4; training available through the Athletics Club
• Badminton — winter sport; competition held Monday nights in Waimate
• Basketball — winter sport; Timaru and Waimate competitions
• Mini Ball — winter sport; Timaru and Waimate competitions
• Cricket — summer sport; students play for the local Waimate Cricket Club and represent the school in interschool competitions
• Cross Country — winter sport; juniors walk or run 3 km, seniors walk 3 km or run 4.5 km
• Cycling — students participate via club and can represent the school at Aoraki, South Island, and National events
• Equestrian
• Football — Timaru competition
• Golf
• Motorcross
• Mountain Biking
• Netball — Timaru and Waimate competitions
• Rugby — winter sport; students play for the local Waimate Club and represent the school in interschool exchanges
• Skiing
• Swimming
• Softball — summer sport; Timaru competition
• Squash — Monday and Wednesday evenings at the Waimate Squash Club
• Table Tennis
• Tennis — summer sport
• Touch Rugby — summer sport
• Trap Shooting — held at the rifle range
• Volleyball — summer sport; Timaru competition, Friday nights

Student Support and Pastoral Care

Waimate High School organises its pastoral care through a network of staff roles and structured programmes. The school uses restorative practices as its primary approach to resolving conflict and harmful behaviour, giving students the choice between a restorative or punitive process.

• Learning Advisory Teacher — a first point of contact for students with personal problems or difficulties settling into school life.
• Guidance Counsellor — a specialist teacher available to discuss courses, progress, career prospects, and personal problems, and to help students explore solutions to issues affecting them.
• Pastoral Manager — available to students experiencing subject difficulties, school-related problems, or other concerns requiring staff intervention.
• Careers Advisor — provides career advice, working alongside the Guidance Counsellor.
• Peer Support (Year 13) — all Year 13 students are trained to act as friends and guides to new students during an orientation programme at the start of the year.
• Peer Mediators — selected students from Years 10, 11, and 12 who are trained to assist peers in resolving conflict through a structured mediation programme, available during lunchtimes.
• Reading Support Programme — provides extra tuition for students who need additional literacy support, with Teacher Aides scheduled across many classes.
• Public Health Nurse — visits the school once a week and is available to any student wishing to discuss a health issue.
• House groups — students are organised into four houses: Chisholm (green), Grant (red), Leadbetter (blue), and Pitcaithly (white), which form part of the school's pastoral structure.

The school also runs a transition programme for students moving from contributing schools, including open afternoons, two transition days, and a dedicated first day of Term 1 for Year 7 students with their peer support leaders.