Ko te ohu hoahoa, akotahi, kia whaia ai te angitu
A community of friendship, united in learning, to pursue success
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'A positive tone permeates the school. Respectful, responsive, reciprocal relationships between students, families and staff contribute to a positive platform for learning.'
Tumuaki (Principal)
Ana Stites
Tucked away in the heart of rural Waikato, Wharepapa South School is a small but vibrant kura (school) surrounded by dairy, sheep-milking, and deer farms. Our unique location, beautiful landscapes, and strong community spirit give us opportunities to learn and grow in ways that go far beyond the classroom.
Here, our tamariki (children) explore not just books and devices, but also the world around them — from investigating the health of our local streams to climbing the world-famous Wharepapa crags, from tending our gardens to caring for our whenua (land) through Enviroschools projects. Learning is hands-on, connected, and deeply grounded in place.
At Wharepapa South School, we live the whakataukī (proverb) “He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata” (What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people) — people are at the heart of everything we do. We work together to set each other up for success, celebrating every child’s strengths and supporting their differences.
Our teaching team is experienced, passionate, and dedicated to building strong relationships with each student and their whānau (family). Through this, we create an environment where children feel safe to take risks, grow in confidence, and thrive.
We are proud to weave te ao Māori (the Māori worldview) throughout our daily life — gathering each morning as a whānau (family) for karakia (prayers or affirmations), waiata (songs) and pānui (notices), learning through our whenua (land) and taiao (natural environment), and valuing manaakitanga (hospitality, kindness), whanaungatanga (relationships, connections), and kaitiakitanga (guardianship of the environment) in all that we do.
Wharepapa South School is more than a school — it is a community where children learn, play, and grow together in one of Aotearoa’s (New Zealand’s) most stunning rural settings.
"A positive tone permeates the school. Respectful, responsive, reciprocal relationships between students, families and staff contribute to a positive platform for learning.
Students enthusiastically engage in well-considered learning experiences within the school and local community. They develop attitudes and attributes for self-led learning through the breadth of curriculum experiences provided. There are plentiful opportunities for students to learn with and alongside their peers through authentic and meaningful contexts of high interest to them.
Learners’ wellbeing and sense of belonging are evident as they actively participate in an inclusive environment conducive to learning. This is particularly noticeable for students who have complex learning or health needs who are well supported to engage in learning. Their holistic development is nurtured.
The strategic vision has been reaffirmed in collaboration with the school’s community. The school board and staff work together to enact the school’s vision for students’ success. Strategies are in place to genuinely involve families and whānau in decision-making about the developing curriculum. Strategic and annual plans suitably reflect relevant priorities and guide developments that are improving outcomes for students."
From E.R.O Report 2019 & 2023
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