Introduction
Wairarapa College, a state, co-educational school, blends tradition with innovation as it seeks to develop the full potential of each student. Set in spacious and beautiful grounds, the College contains a mixture of old and new buildings. It presents an attractive learning environment for students.
Special features of the College include:
- The College Boarding Hostel (College House)
- Purpose built information technology centre
- School wide network with internet access
- A school farm and a strong emphasis on Agriculture and Horticulture
- The Continuing Education programme running as evening classes
- The Supported Learning Centre catering for students with intellectual disabilities.
The College has well defined expectations for student achievement on several levels - academic excellence, social and physical development and personal development.
Students are encouraged to achieve to their potential in the full range of New Zealand public awards - New Zealand NCEA Level 1, 2 and 3 and Scholarship - with above average rates of success being achieved. To complement these awards, students are given the opportunity to compete in the National Mathematics Competition, the ICAS English and Writing, Mathematics and Science Competitions plus a range of similar competitions in a variety of other subject areas.
Senior students from the College continue to be successful in gaining entry to their preferred University course and hostels
Staff at Wairarapa College have always shown a strong interest in and commitment to extra curricular activities and this has led to a high level of student involvement and participation. The College has, therefore, maintained an excellent reputation in a wide range of cultural and sporting activities.
The College’s community reflects urban and rural New Zealand in the truest sense. The Hostel enables students from the furthermost areas of rural Wairarapa to attend the College while other rural students attend by virtue of the “School Bus” system. The majority of students attending the College do live in Masterton and its environs; thus providing the urban/rural mixture.
The rural sector provides an even cross section of farm owners, managers and agricultural workers. The urban community reflects the typical social and economic mixture of a rural centre without any significant economic affluence or disadvantage. Social attitudes tend towards conservatism and contribute towards the traditional type of education offered by the College.
The College is positively supported by its community in expecting the highest standards of conduct from all students at all times.
Mission Statement
Wairarapa College provides quality educational opportunities that challenge individuals to make positive choices, enabling them to achieve success and become life-long learners.
Vision
To be the best coeducational college in New Zealand
Core Beliefs
At Wairarapa College we:
- Believe in providing a wide range of academic, cultural and sporting opportunities to enable students to become life long learners
- Believe a good education comes from a positive attitude, quality teaching which caters for individuals within an environment that is conducive to learning
- Respect and value our traditions of self-discipline, respect and pride in ourselves, others, our college and our community
- Believe that everyone is capable of positive achievements and these are recognised and celebrated in our college community
- Believe in promoting interaction between college and home and regularly communicate with students families
- Value and respect cultural diversity which enriches our college community
- Wish to foster Wairarapa College as a learning organisation for staff and students.
Strategic Goals – Long Term
- To be in the top ten coeducational colleges in New Zealand for academic results
- Students are motivated, have a positive attitude, good work ethic and are polite and cooperative
- Students display respectfulness, trustworthiness, honesty and responsibility whilst making positive choices as an active member of our college community.