Wakatipu High School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wakatipu High School |
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| Address | |
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47–49 Red Oaks Drive
Frankton Queenstown 9300 New Zealand |
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| Coordinates | 45°01′33″S 168°44′55″E / 45.0257°S 168.7487°E |
| Information | |
| Type | State Co-Ed Secondary |
| Motto | Latin: Ad Alta (Reach for your heights.) |
| Established | 1937 |
| Ministry of Education Institution no. | 374 |
| Chairman | Adrian Januszkiewicz |
| Principal | Oded Nathan |
| Staff | 142 |
| Grades | 9–13 |
| School roll | 1,455 (February 2024) |
| Capacity | 1800 |
| Houses | Arthur Duncan Fox Hay Mackenzie |
| Socio-economic decile | 10Z |
Wakatipu High School is a public high school in Queenstown, New Zealand. It is a school for both boys and girls. Students usually go there from Year 9 to Year 13, which is typically for ages 13 to 18. As of 2024, it is the only public high school in Queenstown.
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About Wakatipu High School
Wakatipu High School was started in 1937. It helps students get ready for their future. The school's motto is Ad Alta, which means "Reach for your heights." This encourages students to aim high and do their best.
How Many Students Attend?
As of 2024, about 1,455 students go to Wakatipu High School. This number includes about students who identify as Māori. The school works to help all students succeed.
What is the Equity Index?
The school has an Equity Index of 415. This index helps the school understand if students face challenges outside of school. It means the school gets extra support to help all students learn well.
School Buildings and Location
Wakatipu High School used to be in central Queenstown. It moved to a new, modern campus in Frankton in 2018. The new school cost about $50 million to build.
Modern Design and Growth
The new school has an open-plan design. This means classrooms are often open and connected. The idea is to help students talk and work together. The school has grown since it moved. New parts were added in 2022 and 2023, including a second gym.
The school can hold up to 1,800 students. Because Queenstown is growing, the school expects to have even more students soon.
What Students Learn
Wakatipu High School uses the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) system. This is how students earn qualifications in New Zealand. Students get "credits" for their learning, which count towards their NCEA.
The Ākonga Passport
The school also has an "Ākonga Passport." This program rewards students for showing the school's values. Students can earn points to reach bronze, silver, or gold levels. It helps them develop good character and skills.
School Reports and Progress
The Education Review Office checks how well schools are doing. In 2024, they gave a good report about Wakatipu High School. They noted that students had improved a lot in reading and writing. Also, the school helped close learning gaps between boys and girls. Māori and Pacific students also showed better results.
School Houses
Wakatipu High School has a house system. Students are put into one of five houses. Each house has a special color:
- Arthur House (blue)
- Duncan House (black)
- Fox House (red)
- Hay House (green)
- Mackenzie House (orange)
Each house has a dean and student leaders. The houses are named after important people from the Queenstown area's history.
Famous Former Students
Many talented people have gone to Wakatipu High School. Here are a few:
- Cool Wakushima – A New Zealand snowboarder.
- Harriet Miller-Brown – An alpine skier and champion slalom skier.
- Alice Robinson – An alpine skier and champion slalom skier.
- Matty McLean – A TV personality.
- Brianne West – An entrepreneur.
