kids encyclopedia robot

Waitaki Girls' High School facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Waitaki Girls' High School
Junior Block.JPG
Junior Block
Address
Trent Street, Oamaru, New Zealand
Coordinates 45°05′17″S 170°58′25″E / 45.0881°S 170.9735°E / -45.0881; 170.9735
Information
Type State, Girls, Secondary years 9–13
Motto Latin: Dulcius Ex Arduis
"Satisfaction from hard work"
Established 1887; 137 years ago
Ministry of Education Institution no. 366
Principal Elizabeth Koni
School roll 401 (February 2024)
Socio-economic decile 6N
Website waitakigirlshigh.school.nz

Waitaki Girls' High School is a state high school for girls situated in Oamaru, on the East coast of New Zealand. It was founded in 1887 on the initiative of local parliamentarians, Samuel Shrimski and Thomas William Hislop, and presently has a roll of just over 400 girls from the ages of 13 to 18. It also has a boarding hostel which houses approximately 50 girls, including international students and tutors.

The school uses a house system with four houses and accompanying colours: Burn (red), Ferguson (yellow), Gibson (green) and Wilson (blue). These houses were named after the first four principals of the school: Margaret Burn, Catherine Ferguson, Mary Gibson and Jessie Wilson. Competitions between the houses, such as athletics, swimming, choir and drama, are held annually.

The school motto is Dulcius Ex Arduis, which in Latin means "satisfaction from hard work".

Curriculum

Waitaki Girls' High School uses National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) based assessments. A strong emphasis is placed on gaining good marks, with "Excellence Awards" being awarded annually to girls who achieve high marks in their internal and external assessments.

Subjects taught include English, mathematics (statistics and calculus), sciences (chemistry, biology, physics, agriculture), languages (Japanese, German, Maori), classics, computer studies, Geography, History, Physical Education and Art (Painting, Photography, Art History).

Principals

Since its establishment in 1887, Waitaki Girls' High School has had 10 principals. The following is a complete list:

Name Term
1 Margaret Gordon Burn 1887–1892
2 Catherine Mary Ferguson 1892–1919
3 Jessie Banks Wilson 1920–1949
4 Mary Kathleen Dunning 1950–1963
5 Joyce Jarrold 1963–1979
6 Joyce Mayhew 1979–1986
7 Jeanette Aker 1986–1994
8 Linda Cowan 1994–2007
9 Lynlee Smith 2007–2012
9 Tracy Walker 2012–2019
10 Elizabeth Koni 2020–present

Notable alumnae

  • Anne Taylor – former president of Netball New Zealand and World Netball.
  • Isabel Clark – killed in World War I in the sinking of the British troopship SS Marquette
  • Janet Frame – New Zealand author
kids search engine
Waitaki Girls' High School Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.