Whangamata Area School is a Co-Educational State Composite School catering for students from year 1 to year 13. There are 525 students on the roll at the present time.

In broad terms, this means that we have two classes at each year level with the exception of years 12 and 13 where students are grouped according to subject selection.

In secondary terms (years 9-13) this is a small school and teaching staff need to be adaptable and multi-skilled. Although we try in as many ways as possible to operate as one school, there are constraints on this. Nonetheless, it is important for staff to acknowledge and enjoy the unique nature of an area school, our senior classes are small and give good opportunities for small group and individual support. Most year 11 classes are less than 20 students and many of our year 12 & 13 classes have less than 10 students.

The school prides itself on offering excellent opportunities for academic success. We have a very effective staff offering the New Zealand National Curriculum.

We have very strong junior school years 0-8 promoting excellence in Numeracy and Literacy. As we are an Area School we are able to take advantage of the specialist teachers and their resources to enhance our teaching programmes.

In Years 9&10 we offer a core of English, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education, Health and Social Studies with compulsory options in year 9 as tasters. Students then choose options in year 10, one Technology based the other from the Arts. At years 12 and 13 we offer a range of subjects most leading to our year 12 qualification NCEA level 2 and our year 13 qualification NCEA level 3.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT: 

Promote excellence in all aspects of school life