Western Springs College Explained

Western Springs College
Motto:Whāia te mātauranga.
Type:State Co-educational secondary school(Year 9–13)
Established:circa
Coordinates:-36.8625°N 174.7172°W
Principal:Ivan Davis (WSC)[1]
Chris Selwyn (NPoW)[2]
Roll:
Decile:8P[3]
Moe:48
Homepage:westernsprings.school.nzwaiorea.school.nz

Western Springs College/Ngā Puna o Waiōrea is a state co-educational secondary school located in Western Springs, an inner suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. Western Springs College and Ngā Puna o Waiōrea teach collaboratively on one campus. The school educates approximately students, from Years 9 to 13 (ages 13 to 18). The school was originally part of Seddon Memorial Technical College, but was moved to the current Western Springs site in 1964.

History

The school was originally called Seddon Memorial Technical College even after being resited to Motions Rd till 1968 when renamed Seddon High school.[4] . In November 1989, it opened its doors for the first 400 people, 10% of which were Māori. In 1995, the school had established a Māori language immersion unit called a Rūmaki, and brought another 200 students.[5]

Facilities

The Auckland Performing Arts Centre (TAPAC) is located adjacent to the school grounds.[6] Lessons are held within.

Uniform

The school is one of few in the Auckland area to have no formal uniform. The school sees the development of sensible attitudes towards dress and appearance as part of the education process and tidy dress standards, as an enforced part of the education system.[7] However, the Rumaki unit has set uniform for both male and female students mostly for formal occasions such as a pōwhiri, or prizegiving.

Houses

The school consists of five houses which are used for separation during some events and classes:

Enrolment and donation

The school operates an enrolment zone which entitles students residing within the zone to enroll at the school.[7] Students from outside the zone may be admitted through a ballot system. A voluntary donation to cover costs is requested at the time of enrolment.[7]

Academic achievement

The results from the school's 2005 NCEA examinations placed it as the top decile 7[8] school for NCEA Level 1.[9] The school is strong in debating, with both teams in the final of the 2005 Auckland Senior Debating competition representing Western Springs College.[10] The school is also strong in spoken word. The school won an award this year, in the 2018 Spoken Word Grand Slam Final. The victors are: Manaia Tuwhare-Hoani, Arihia Hall, Matariki Bennett and Terina Wichman-Evans.[11]

In 2015, Mercy Williams of Western Springs College had won $500 at the Play It Strange Wero Songwriting Competition for her song, Embrace the Day.[12]

Demographics and rankings

Last visited by Education Review Office (ERO) on 19 June 2015. The next review is due in 4–5 years (2019-2020).

Western Springs College had 1500 students enrolled. Fifty-six percent of students were male, and 44% were female. Fifty-five percent identified themselves as New Zealand European, 27% identified as Māori, 3% as Samoans, 2% as Cook Islanders, 1% as Tongan and Niue and[13] 14% Asian.[7]

The school also has 107 international students[13] who come from Brazil, Chile, China, Japan, Korea, and Thailand.[7]

In 2016, the school was the top-ranked school for both boys and girls, by the Metro Magazine.[14]

Notable alumni

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ivan Davis appointed new WSC principal. Western Springs College. 2016. 25 April 2018.
  2. https://waiorea.school.nz/our-story/. Our Story - Ngā Puna o Waiōrea
  3. Web site: Decile Change 2014 to 2015 for State & State Integrated Schools. Ministry of Education. 25 April 2018.
  4. School yearbooks
  5. Web site: Out story. Western Springs College. 25 April 2018.
  6. http://www.tapac.org.nz/ TAPAC Website
  7. Web site: Western Spring College Prospectus. Western Springs College. 25 April 2018.
  8. The decile has changed to 8 for the 2008 year.
  9. http://www.westernsprings.school.nz/Prospectus/Academic.html Western Spring College Prospectus - Academic Achievement
  10. http://www.westernsprings.school.nz/Prospectus/CollegeLife.html Western Springs College Prospectus - College Life
  11. Web site: Spoken Word Victory. 3 September 2018. Nga Puna o Waiorea.
  12. Web site: Auckland student wins Play it Strange songwriting competition. Collins, Hugh. Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax NZ. 29 September 2015. 25 April 2018.
  13. Web site: Western Springs College Education Review. Education Review Office. 19 June 2015. 25 April 2018.
  14. The best schools in Auckland 2016. Wilson, Simon. Metro Magazine. August 2016. 51, 56.
  15. Web site: Che Fu remembers his roots. Russell, Nicola. Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax NZ. 2 January 2011. 25 April 2018.
  16. Web site: Joel Little: The man behind Lorde. Duff, Michelle. Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax NZ. 16 November 2014. 25 April 2018.
  17. News: NZ on Screen. 25 April 2018.
  18. News: Courtney Sina Meredith: Why I push so hard. 7 August 2016. E-Tangata - A Māori and Pasifika Sunday magazine. 25 April 2018. en.
  19. Web site: Viliami Ofahengaue | Player Profile | Classic Wallabies .
  20. Web site: Supergroove. Shute, Gareth. 19 July 2013. 4 December 2019.