Western Heights High School (Māori: Te Kura Tuarua o Kaitao Rotohokahoka) is a co-educational state secondary school located in the northwestern suburbs of Rotorua, New Zealand. In April 2013, 1,887 students from Years 9 to 13 (ages 12 to 18) attended the school, including 1,172 students identifying as Māori – the largest Māori school roll in New Zealand in terms of number of students.[3]
| Western Heights High School Te Kura Tuarua o Kaitao Rotohokahoka | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
70 Old Quarry Road Selwyn Heights Rotorua 3015 New Zealand | |
| Coordinates | 38°07′12″S 176°13′20″E / 38.1201°S 176.2221°E |
| Information | |
| Type | State co-ed secondary |
| Motto | English: Wisdom and Honour Māori: Taumata Rau |
| Established | 1961 |
| Sister school | Beppu Shosei |
| Educational authority | Ministry of Education |
| Ministry of Education Institution no. | 151 |
| Chairperson | Daphne Williams |
| Principal | James Bracefield |
| Teaching staff | 120+ |
| Years offered | 9–13 |
| School roll | 1155[1] (August 2024) |
| Houses | Ngā Pumanawa e Waru o Te Arawa Waiariki Rotorua Nui ā Kahumatamomoe Ngongotahā Te Motu Tapu ā Tinirau |
| Song | Taumata Rau |
| Socio-economic decile | 4K[2] |
| Website | www |
| Last updated: 25 November 2024 | |
Western Heights High School offers Cambridge International Examinations in addition to the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA).[4]
Houses
editWestern Heights High School has school houses or groups to identify students and provide a sense of belonging to the school.
The current houses at Western Heights High School are:
- Te Motu Tapu ā Tinirau (Purple)
- Waiāriki (Yellow)
- Ngā Pumanawa e Waru o Te Arawa (Red)
- Ngongotahā (Green)
- Te Rotorua nui ā Kahumatamomoe (Blue)
Sister School
editThe current sister school to Western Heights High School is Beppu Shosei, a co-educational high school located in Ōita, Japan. The city of Beppu is also the sister city to Rotorua. In August 2024, students from Beppu Shosei visited Western Heights High School for one week on a cultural exchange. In October 2024, 17 students and staff from Western Heights High School attended Beppu Shosei for one week. [5]
International Education
editWestern Heights High School offers international enrolment from a variety of countries. For the year 2025, international student fees to study at Western Heights High School ranges based on duration of the students' duration of stay, travel insurance, NCEA standard admission, student visa renewal, school uniform, school and extra curricular expenses, Christmas holiday fee, and additional recreational expenditure.[6][7]
Curriculum
editWestern Heights High School currently requires students in the junior school (Years 9 and 10) to take five compulsory courses throughout the year, along with four additional options classes that will alternate throughout two terms. In Year 11, there are four compulsory courses, and in Year 12, the only compulsory course is English. Students in Years 13 and 14 may choose a minimum of five courses.[8][9][10]
| Compulsory Classes | Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 | Year 12 | Year 13 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | • | • | • | • | |
| Science | • | • | • | ||
| Mathematics | • | • | • | ||
| Physical Education and Health | • | • | • | ||
| Social Sciences | • | • |
Notable Alumni
editThis article's list of alumni may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. (September 2023) |
- Steve McDowall – Rugby Union player (Auckland, All Black)
- Temuera Morrison – Actor
- Nando Pijnaker – All Whites defender
- Caleb Ralph – Rugby Union player (Crusaders, All Black)
- Hika Reid – Rugby Union player (All Black) and coach
- Elias Scheres – Netball player
- Buck Shelford – All Blacks Captain
- Darrall Shelford – NZ Māori (rugby union)
- Bradford Northern – Rugby League player
References
edit- ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ "Decile Change 2014 to 2015 for State & State Integrated Schools". Ministry of Education. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
- ^ "New Zealand Schools - Education Counts". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
- ^ "Assessment". Western Heights High School. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ^ "NZウェスタンハイツ高校の生徒が来校しました". 大分県立別府翔青高等学校. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ^ "Haere Mai/Welcome". Western Heights High School. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ^ "International Student Fees - 2025" (PDF). Western Heights High School. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ^ "Senior Curriculum". Western Heights High School. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "Curriculum Overview 2023*". Western Heights High School. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "Junior Curriculum". Western Heights High School. Retrieved 25 November 2024.