Western Springs College

Western Springs College (Māori: Nga Puna O Waiorea) is a state co-educational secondary school located in Western Springs, an inner suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. The school educates approximately ~1705 students, from Years 9 to 13 (ages 13 to 18).[2] The school was originally part of Seddon Memorial Technical College, but was moved to the current Western Springs site in 1964.

Western Springs College
Address
100 Motions Road
Western Springs
Auckland 1022
New Zealand
Coordinates36°51′45″S 174°43′2″E
Information
TypeState Co-educational secondary school (Year 9-13)
MottoWhāia te mātauranga.
Establishedcirca 1960
Ministry of Education Institution no.48
PrincipalIvan Davis[1]
School roll1705[2] (March 2020)
Socio-economic decile8P[3]
Websitewesternsprings.school.nz waiorea.school.nz

History

The school was originally called Seddon High School, following its separation from Seddon Memorial Technical College. 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 Rumaki, and brought another 200 students.[4]

Facilities

The Auckland Performing Arts Centre (TAPAC) is located, within the school grounds.[5]

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.[6] However, the Rumaki unit has set of uniform for both male and female students, but only on formal occasions such as prizegiving do they wear it.

Houses

The school consists of five houses:

  • Atea (Red), meaning Wind or Air
  • Moana (Blue), meaning Ocean
  • Whenua (Green), meaning Land
  • Kapura (Yellow), meaning Fire
  • Oranga (Purple), meaning Life

Enrollment and donation

The school operates an enrollment zone which entitles students residing within the zone to enroll at the school.[6] Students from outside the zone may be admitted through a ballot system. A voluntary donation to cover costs is requested at the time of enrollment.[6]

Academic achievement

The results from the school's 2005 NCEA examinations placed it as the top decile 7[7] school for NCEA Level 1.[8] The school is strong in debating, with both teams in the final of the 2005 Auckland Senior Debating competition representing Western Springs College.[9] 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.[10]

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.[11]

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).[12]

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[12] 14% Asian.[6]

The school also has 107 international students[12] which come from Brazil, Chile, China, Japan, Korea and Thailand.[6]

In 2016, the school was the top-ranked school for both boys and girls, by the Metro Magazine.[13]

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Ivan Davis appointed new WSC principal". Western Springs College. 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  2. "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  3. "Decile Change 2014 to 2015 for State & State Integrated Schools". Ministry of Education. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  4. "Out story". Western Springs College. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  5. TAPAC Website
  6. "Western Spring College Prospectus" (PDF). Western Springs College. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  7. The decile has changed to 8 for the 2008 year.
  8. Western Spring College Prospectus - Academic Achievement
  9. Western Springs College Prospectus - College Life
  10. "Spoken Word Victory". Nga Puna o Waiorea. 3 September 2018. Archived from the original on 11 September 2018.
  11. Collins, Hugh (29 September 2015). "Auckland student wins Play it Strange songwriting competition". Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax NZ. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  12. "Western Springs College Education Review". Education Review Office. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  13. Wilson, Simon (August 2016). "The best schools in Auckland 2016". Metro Magazine. pp. 51, 56.
  14. Russell, Nicola (2 January 2011). "Che Fu remembers his roots". Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax NZ. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  15. Duff, Michelle (16 November 2014). "Joel Little: The man behind Lorde". Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax NZ. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  16. "NZ on Screen". Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  17. "Courtney Sina Meredith: Why I push so hard". E-Tangata - A Māori and Pasifika Sunday magazine. 7 August 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  18. Shute, Gareth (19 July 2013). "Supergroove". Retrieved 4 December 2019.
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