Overview (Yr 11-13)

Our Secondary Syndicate (Year 9 – 13) students have the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects with specialist staff within school and they also have the opportunity to partake in Distance Learning Options such as Te Kura. This allows us to provide all the courses and subjects required by our students for whichever pathway they may wish to embark on. We have very strong academic results enabling our students to move onto Tertiary education at University or Polytechnics. We run an active Gateway programme and our Coordinator works closely with the local community.

Whanau Groups

The pastoral care of students is overseen by their whānau teacher. Each whānau group comprises a mixture of students from across year levels 9-13. The student remains in the same whānau group each year, meaning students will have the same whānau teacher from Year 9 to Year 13. This enables them to develop a strong bond over time, where the whānau teacher has a very in-depth understanding of the student’s needs, interests and abilities.

Our whanau teachers are:

• Mr Nigel Pacey
• Ms Joanna Brooks
• Ms Anna Sillibourne
• Mrs Michelle Dowling & Mrs Amanda Graham

 

Sports

There are various sports teams that students can join eg. 

Softball, Volleyball, Cricket, Curling, Basketball, Netball and Hockey

There are also many other events/activities that students can take part in:

Athletics, Swimming, Road Race, Luge, Motocross, Ice Skating, Ice Hockey

Annual Sports Tournaments include:

Jack Martin Memorial Sports Tournament with East Otago High School

 

Leadership

 

NZ Area Schools

As part of the NZ Area Schools Association our students have some exciting opportunities which allow them to build relationships with other students outside of the Maniototo.

Area School Sports Tournaments

Every year the six schools that represent the Southern Area Region come together in a celebration of sport with each school taking a turn to play host. The six schools in the Southern Region are:

• Twizel
• Roxburgh
• Lawrence
• Maniototo
• The Catlins
• Waiau

The tournament is an exciting occasion that involves both our students and members of the community who have the opportunity to host students from other schools in their own homes. Students from across the schools are then selected to go on and compete in the National Tournament with the South of the South team.

At the National tournament based on their performance, students can then be selected for South Island teams and NZ teams.

Leadership Camp

The NZ Area School Leadership Camp at Wainui offers students a chance to develop leadership and teamwork skills through various challenging activities like high ropes, coasteering, and raft making. The camp focuses on building confidence, communication, and teamwork, while also encouraging students to take initiative and solve problems. Participants grow as individuals, develop key leadership abilities, and make lasting connections with peers from other schools.

 Music Camp 

A great opportunity for students to join with other Area School Students from around NZ to create their own Band under the guidance of a mentor. Participants will have the opportunity to rehearse & perform live at an end of camp concert.

Excellence Awards

Students that are enrolled in and attend a New Zealand Area School can be nominated to celebrate their achievements and success. Achievements can be recognised over any field of endeavour at the highest level and could include for example:

– NZQA Scholarship success
– National Sporting Representation
– National Cultural Achievements
– Ability to overcome barriers/hardship

 

Outward Bound

The Otago Community Trust kindly provides sponsorship enabling students from Otago schools and youth training organisations to attend Outward Bound’s acclaimed 21-day Mind Body Soul or Classic courses held in the breathtaking wilderness of the Marlborough Sounds. Through challenging outdoor expeditions and activities like sailing, kayaking, high ropes courses, tramping, community service projects and environmental education, Outward Bound uses an experiential learning model to develop critical life skills in participants.

Key outcomes include increased resilience, self-confidence, ability to work in teams, goal-setting, leadership capabilities and an ethos of environmental stewardship. The intensive courses push students mentally and physically, allowing them to discover their true potential.

We are grateful to the Trust for providing this enriching experience for our students.

 

Spirit of Adventure

The Spirit has gained and maintained a reputation in New Zealand as a highly respected youth development organisation providing a unique environment for youth development, where the focus of learning is on team-work, developing skills of communication, self-leadership, self-reliance, self-discipline, self-esteem, resilience, confidence and leadership. Learning to sail a tall ship is only a small part of the programmes offered.

Lions Youth Leadership Course

We are fortunate that our local Lions Club is always willing to help support students that choose to attend the Lions Youth Leadership Course. It is six days of adventure based at Borland Lodge, in beautiful Fiordland. The course covers a range of adventure activities, including rock climbing, kayaking and caving, as well as a multi-day journey through Fiordland National Park. 

Future Leaders Academy

Join other young leaders, from all ethnicities, on a week-long advanced leadership course hosted at different locations across the Pacific, having an adventure with new life-long friends.

You will be coached and supported to develop your confidence, experience new cultures, set new goals, and be prepared for the future.

Each course is open to 40 New Zealand, Australian, and other international senior high school students, joined by 8 local Pacific Nation equivalent students.

Science Extension Programmes 

Maniototo Area School offers a variety of extension programmes designed to enhance students’ learning experiences and personal growth. These programmes provide opportunities for students to delve deeper into subjects of interest, develop new skills, and engage in enriching activities beyond the standard curriculum.

• Science Academy – Otago University
• Science gifted and talented courses – Otago University Marine Sciences
• Hands-on science courses for Year 12s – Otago University 

Prizegiving & Awards 

https://www.maniototo.school.nz/prizegiving/