Welcome from our Principal – Whakatau nā te Tumuaki

Nau mai, haere mai
Welcome to Wadestown School 

Wadestown School is a school that we are hugely proud of.  Established in 1881, Wadestown School has been operating at the heart of the Wadestown Community for 140 years. 

We foster a love for learning in our students and support each individual child to reach their full potential. Our students are curious, independent, critical thinkers who strive to do their best.

Our school is unique because of its dual sites; which are approximately 1 kilometre apart.  Students begin their schooling at our Weld Street site before transitioning to our Rose Street site in Year 3. 

At ‘Weld’ we provide a nurturing and inclusive environment for our youngest students. This site provides a spacious and tailor-made environment that our Year 1 and 2 students thrive in. Our Rose Street site is well regarded for its natural environment; something that visitors to the school often comment on. 

As a teaching team, we are committed to fostering foundational numeracy and literacy skills which prepare our students to be able to engage in a rich, integrated curriculum as they move through the school. Our dedicated staff work together in partnership with our parents and whanau to reach the best possible outcomes for our students. We seek parental involvement to help foster positive ‘home-school partnerships’. The Wadestown Community extend their support to the school in a range of ways.  

Our Board of Trustees ensures that our school is well resourced to enhance students’ learning experiences. This additional resourcing means that all students have access to excellent resources to support the delivery of the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC). We offer our students a dedicated Librarian, a Reading Recovery Teacher, a Kapa Haka Tutor, and Teacher Aides who all contribute to our students’ learning, wellbeing and sense of belonging. 

Additionally, funding is provided to help support digital learning across the school. Our students are well-equipped to confidently use a range of technology as a tool for learning and communication. 

At Wadestown we have a focus on extracurricular activities; inclusive of a wide range of sporting and musical opportunities, including 2 school choirs and an orchestra. Students in Years 5 – 8 attend camp on a yearly basis. By the end of Year 8, our students have experienced 4 different camps. Our sporting teams are regarded for both their success and their fair play. 

Our uniform is another distinctive feature of Wadestown School. It helps to build a sense of belonging and pride across all students. 

Kapa Haka is strong across the school and our students take leadership roles in whole-school whakatau and powhiri.  Te Reo is taught across the school with components of tikanga woven into this.   

Our Year 7 and 8 programme has a strong emphasis on the development of Student Leadership. Our students are highly motivated and skilled in delivering leadership that positively impacts the wider life of the school. 

Student voice is a crucial component of this programme and this leads students to be able to positively influence schoolwide change. Students have a real sense of responsibility and work well in collaborative teams. Our Student Council and House System provide our students with further opportunities for schoolwide responsibility, as role models to our younger students. 

Our vision is for all students to be enthusiastic, considerate and independent learners who are motivated to succeed in whatever they strive to achieve. 

We have four agreed values that underpin the way our students conduct themselves: 

  • Whakawhetai – Gratitude  
  • Pakari – Resilience
  • Whānaungatanga Tukana-teina – Others
  • Mīharo – Wonder

I look forward to working alongside you and your child and welcome prospective parents to come for a visit.  

Ngā mihi
Amanda Frater
Principal