Sometimes it is easy to overlook opportunities and advantages of education here at
ˇ Positive school environment shown through motivation, success and self-discipline.
ˇ Staff professional development focused on teaching, practising and reinforcing positive skills, attitudes and values, backed up by a consistent and fair discipline system to protect the rights of others.
ˇ Our Board is prepared to fund extra staff to ensure that students have a wide range of subjects and small class sizes. Our national success rate puts us in the upper half of all
ˇ Our bountiful region and school culture that has ensured we are fully staffed with quality teachers. (This was highlighted recently with staff study and scholarship awards).
ˇ The school is rich in courses available both in core subjects and specialist areas. We can offer: science, physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, calculus, statistics, economics, accounting, geography, history, English, ESOL, tourism, physical education, health, art, outdoor education, drama, music, graphics, computing, soft materials/ wood/food/metal technology. We are also linked with the Correspondence School and the Cantatech programme.
ˇ The Gateway Programme targets senior students for work place education offering NCEA credits and units standards.
ˇ The Farm Skills class has a farmlet at Kaihinu for hands-on learning.
ˇ A special education unit caters for any special educational needs.
ˇ A programmed refurbishment of all teaching rooms and administration and hall area. This includes well-resourced laboratories, technology areas, art, drama and library.
ˇ A wonderful common room for Year 13 students.
ˇ We are well resourced with computers and have a higher percentage available to students than most schools.
ˇ Westland High welcomes adult students in our daily curriculum. We also have a very active Community Education programme offering a wide variety of courses.
ˇ The Kapahaka group has added a great dimension to the school. With the support of local iwi we are building a whare as a centre for Maori studies as well as community use.
ˇ A vibrant international component in the school has allowed our students to meet students from many different cultures and learn from them. We also have the opportunity to visit another culture. Students from
ˇ The inception of Student Council running student assemblies has reinforced that it is okay to have student success recognised.
ˇ Gold awards have promoted the belief that it is okay to succeed and want to learn. These awards recognise students who succeed consistently over a wide range of areas.
ˇ Through a concerted approach the number of discipline interventions across the school has steadily and dramatically decreased over the past three years.
ˇ Years 7 and 8 students are able to enjoy their own playground area.
ˇ We can offer many sporting opportunities on and off the coast.
ˇ Our large sports field is well-maintained, tennis/netball courts and a modern sports stadium with training and changing facilities.
ˇ Extra lunch-time activities are organised by our sportfit programme coordinator.
ˇ A heart-beat award café is available.
ˇ Our Board strongly supports our principal and staff.
ˇ In the 2003 MOE November issue of “Planning for Better Student Outcomes” we are featured as a school that has used data to turn around our Years 7 and 8 student literacy and behaviour issues. Project funds have provided us with stimulus, incentive and resources to implement this change.
ˇ A strong community-based support system and a hard-working PTA committee supports our school.
ˇ Our principal and staff have an open-door philosophy.
ˇ Ex-students have achieved to the highest standard and lead well-balanced and happy lives.
Our mission statement is: “To provide a supportive, caring and challenging place of learning to enhance the educational opportunities of the people of
As a school community we all play an important part in making it happen.