Nga Tawa Diocesan School

Inspired learning, inspiring lives

CREATING OUTSTANDING MEMBERS OF SOCIETY Welcome to Nga Tawa, more than just ‘a school’; a centre of personal excellence providing the complete educational experience for your daughter.

I am honoured to lead this exciting, innovative community which fully prepares young women to venture into the world. A place where we nurture their spirituality as strongly as their academic prowess, ensuring they have opportunity to grasp the skills, strength and understanding they will need for their life journeys.

We prepare your daughter for her tomorrows, so she can make a difference to her community. So she can be a true global citizen; knowing her place, her pathways and herself, and her responsibility to give back.

It is our privilege to work in partnership with families who share our vision for their daughters. We’d love you to join us as your daughter embraces this formative phase in her life.

Carmel Spencer PRINCIPAL

The Principal and senior management team have a clear vision for school development and the holistic education of students.

They are a cohesive team who effectively respond to the needs of students.

The Principal’s outstanding leadership fosters students’ academic achievement in a positive learning culture.

Education Review Office, 2010

SPECIAL CHARACTER Inspired learning, inspiring lives

MISSION A centre for personal excellence within a caring Christian community VALUES •

Integrity

•

Respect

•

Courage

ANGLICAN CHRISTIAN VALUES Nga Tawa Diocesan School is founded on Anglican Christian values and, as a result, a family atmosphere has been fostered and enjoyed over many years.

HOLISTIC APPROACH Our holistic approach to education means that students are encouraged to achieve academically while growing physically and emotionally via extracurricular, community and leadership programmes. Parents and extended families are encouraged to participate in school life and are invited to a variety of calendar events; from Athletics and Swimming Sports to House Drama, House Music, Soirées, House Dinners, Chapel Services and other social occasions.

BARKER, BIRCH, SPROTT AND STUDHOLME There are four Houses (whanau groups) at Nga Tawa, offering a family support network within the wider school community: Barker (yellow lions), named after Mary Frances Barker, the second Headmistress of the school; Birch (green frogs) named after the Birch family in Marton, who were significant benefactors, Sprott (blue elephants) named after Bishop Sprott and, Studholme (red dragons), named after another significant family in the Nga Tawa’s history.

HOUSE SHIELD There are a number of House competitions throughout the year that earn points for students, towards the coveted House Shield.

The school’s Anglican Christian values effectively underpin the family environment and support positive relationships.

Students are actively involved in the full life of the school and know each other well.

Education Review Office, 2010

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Inspired learning, inspiring lives REPUTATION FOR EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION

Founded in 1891, Nga Tawa is a New Zealand leader in girls’ education. With a reputation for outstanding academic achievement, Nga Tawa’s unique and beautiful campus prepares young women for leadership and for life. A well-defined core culture of excellence and innovation allows students the freedom to aim for personal best, in every sense.

TWO ACADEMIC PATHWAYS At Nga Tawa, students are provided with a choice of two educational pathways, as we offer both the National Certificate of Educational Achievement and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Nga Tawa’s N.C.E.A. results are consistently high; with 97 to 100 percent pass rates in Levels 1, 2 and 3 each year. Nga Tawa students are responsible risk-takers, unafraid of failure, with the confidence to move beyond their personal comfort zones.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE All courses prepare students to make a difference to their community and to their world. An impressive range of over 30 subjects includes the fundamental core subjects of Maths, English and Sciences as well as the contemporary studies of Visual Arts, Tourism and Travel and, of course, our popular Equine Studies Programme.

SMALL CLASSES Class sizes are kept small. In Year 9 and 10, classes are generally less than 25, while most senior classes have fewer than 16 students. Nga Tawa graduates leave confident and well prepared for tertiary studies, with most going on to tertiary education in New Zealand and internationally.

INSPIRED LEARNING Nga Tawa’s vision to create an inspired love of learning in students is facilitated by a comprehensive and stimulating co-curriculum. Students are provided with wide ranging opportunities to grow and learn through experiences. Students are encouraged to model school values of courage, integrity and respect for their environment and for each other.

The school’s curriculum effectively promotes very high rates of achievement at all levels of National Certificates in Educational Achievement (NCEAs). The rate of achievement of merit and excellence endorsements is significantly above average levels.

Education Review Office, 2010

THE HUMANITIES Inspired learning, inspiring lives

The humanities at Nga Tawa are an essential ingredient for creating balanced and cultivated young women. Our programmes seek to nurture creativity and enrich the lives of students through individual expression. House competitions in Drama, Music, Photography, Debating and Oratory provide an enjoyable and interactive environment for students to perform and compete in.

MUSIC Students entering Nga Tawa are encouraged to begin or continue their musical education, with many students achieving high grades in a wide range of music disciplines. Private tuition is available in Piano, Keyboard, Singing, Classical and Electric Guitar, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Brass instruments and Percussion.

VISUAL ARTS Nga Tawa’s dynamic visual arts programme attracts students from Year 9 to Year 13. Art disciplines include core Art, Painting, Design, Photography, Printmaking and Art History. Our McCall Gallery, two dark rooms, a photography and design suite and senior painting studio combine to create a spacious and well-equipped environment in which to create, display and celebrate student artwork.

DANCE AND DRAMA New students can continue with or learn Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop and Ballroom Dancing at Nga Tawa. A dance instructor visits the school during flexitime twice a week, based in the Events Centre. Drama is integrated into the curriculum at Year 9 as well as forming part of an after school programme on Tuesdays. Senior students compete in Stage Challenge and Shakespeare Competitions.

SPEECH LESSONS Quality public speaking and communication skills are highly valued at Nga Tawa with a high percentage of students learning Speech at the School. A strong culture of public speaking exists, with many new entrants having already achieved to NZ Speech Board grade five honours.

DEBATING The School’s history of Debating reflects a commitment to excellence, with many debaters selected for the NZ secondary schools’ debating teams over past years.

UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT Inspired learning, inspiring lives

BEAUTIFUL LIVING AND LEARNING SPACES Nga Tawa’s rural setting in the beautiful Rangitikei district, near Marton, serves as an impressive backdrop for students, while providing access to the best outdoor adventure and experiential learning opportunities. Situated in the North Island, Nga Tawa is two hours drive north from the capital, Wellington.

ADJACENT TO SKI FIELDS Within close proximity to the ski fields of Mt Ruapehu, rafting sites on the Rangitikei River and with abundant bush, hill and coastal treks - our unique location allows students to take full advantage of the untamed, New Zealand landscape.

A FOCUS ON EXCELLENCE While Nga Tawa features a stunning and safe learning environment, the environmental benefits are not delivered solely through the top facilities, central location and picturesque landscape - they come in the form of our people.

The combination of talented and driven peers, specialist staff, as well as caring parents and friends, combine to create an optimum learning environment for our students.

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Education Review Office, 2010

GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP Inspired learning, inspiring lives

RAISING GLOBAL AWARENESS A variety of strategies at Nga Tawa raise global awareness, while enhancing effective communication across national and cultural boundaries. Our classrooms are enriched by diverse and global perspectives, intercultural and interdisciplinary approaches and by staff challenging preconceived norms. By creating confident and aware global citizens, we better prepare students for success in a culturally progressive and increasingly interconnected society.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA The International Baccalaureate Diploma provides students with the opportunity to benchmark skills and knowledge against over 2000 IB schools, world wide. IB Diploma graduates also have the opportunity to continue tertiary studies at universities internationally.

GLOBAL RELATIONSHIPS Nga Tawa has forged many relationships with international schools and currently offers student exchanges in Year 10 and Year 12, to schools in Australia and the United States of America. Every year, a number of graduates undertake a GAP year in England and Europe, before commencing university courses.

Nga Tawa Diocesan School provides its international students with the benefit of a school culture founded on Christian values and a family atmosphere. Care and guidance is high quality. School personnel value international students as important.

Education Review Office, 2010

DEVELOPING LEADERS Inspired learning, inspiring lives

INSPIRED LEADERS We believe all students benefit from practising leadership as it develops effective communication, emotional intelligence, confidence, initiative and independence. Nga Tawa’s many leadership opportunities begin with the Year 10 Australasian Exchange Programme in Term Two each year. For students in Year 11, school based leadership roles provide further opportunity to experience leadership and to learn from senior role models.

SCHOOL PREFECTS Every year, 12 Nga Tawa Prefects are selected and these are highly sought after positions. Applications are submitted in Term Three of the preceding year, while students are still in Year 12. Prefects include the four Heads of Houses awarded the responsibility to represent and support students socially within Houses (whanau groups).

STUDENT COUNCIL Our student elected, Student Council encourages important involvement in the management and planning of school activities and events, while at the same time learning important leadership skills in the process.

BIG SISTERS The Big Sister Programme connects new entrants (no matter which year level) with senior students, to ensure all are actively integrated into the environment at Nga Tawa.

REGIONAL AND NATIONAL RECOGNITION Through regional programmes and competitions, including fundraising activities, Nga Tawa students gain further opportunities to truly shine.

Pastoral care programs such as mediation, mentoring and leadership opportunities support students’ development.

The guidance network proactively ensures that students experience a sense of belonging and are able to achieve at their best possible level.

Education Review Office, 2010

PASTORAL CARE Inspired learning, inspiring lives

DEVELOPING THEIR PERSONAL BEST Pastoral care plays a vital role in developing young women to reach for their personal best and become outstanding citizens. Nga Tawa utilises a combination of staff and student support systems to provide students with a comprehensive support network for emotional and social development.

CARING FAMILY ATMOSPHERE Caring and considerate behaviour is modelled and encouraged, within the family atmosphere and Christian context. The pastoral care team focuses on emotional, spiritual, psychological and the physical (hauora) well being of students, in addition to supporting numerous peer initiatives.

PEER INITIATIVES At Nga Tawa, peer support is initiated through a variety of school programmes. Prefects are selected from high performing Year 12 applicants (at the end of the previous year) and act as excellent and public role models. In prep, Prefects and Year 13 boarders supervise and aid junior students in general curriculum subjects. Seniors also lead activities such as Drama, Equestrian and select Sports. The Big Sister Programme also connects new entrants (no matter which year level) with senior students, to ensure all are actively integrated into the environment at Nga Tawa.

Pastoral Care programmes such as mediation, mentoring and leadership opportunities support students’ development. The guidance network proactively ensures that students experience a sense of belonging and are able to achieve at their best possible level.

Students are highly engaged, enthusiastic and confident young women. They are motivated to succeed and have expectations for reaching high standards of achievement.

Education Review Office, 2010

SPORT & RECREATION Inspired learning, inspiring lives

EXTENSIVE SPORTS OPPORTUNITIES Nga Tawa offers students a range of over 30 competitive and recreational sports, to increase personal performance and for social interaction. Sports and fitness inspire greater teamwork, peer support, commitment, pride and striving for personal excellence.

PERSONAL FITNESS PROGRAMMES Each student receives a personal fitness programme linked to activities designed to encourage active lifestyles, including aerobics, pilates and circuit training.

WELL-EQUIPPED FACILITIES Nga Tawa’s modern gymnasium houses a full size basketball / netball court with mezzanine viewing platform, a classroom and kitchen, two fitness rooms, lockers and changing rooms. Outdoor facilities include cricket nets, a sports field, a 400 metre grass athletics track, swimming pool and tennis and netball courts.

SPORTS ACADEMY Entry to the Sports Academy, aims to further enhance student excellence in sports performance through specialist coaching, monitoring of fitness programmes and nutrition.

Girls speak with pride about their school and have a sense of belonging. They are enthusiastically involved in what the school has to offer.

Education Review Office, 2010

EQUESTRIAN ACADEMY Nga Tawa is one of only two New Zealand secondary schools specialising in an onsite Equestrian programme. The Equestrian Academy offers a renowned programme featuring a comprehensive range of disciplines for which individual instruction is available. The programme’s success is attributed to the supportive family atmosphere of the school as well as the wonderfully caring and committed students who participate in our programme.

HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION Equestrian instructors offer safe, specialised instruction which establishes a strong foundation in both riding and horsemanship.

Over 25 percent of Nga Tawa students participate each year in academy programmes and compete regularly in all disciplines up to National level.

LINKS TO EQUINE QUALIFICATIONS The School’s facilities are impressive, with Equine Studies the drawcard for students intending to further their studies at Massey University, Palmerston North. Nga Tawa’s Equestrian Academy also attracts many international students who wish to pursue an Equine Studies Degree, drawing riders from such countries as Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom.

ACADEMY FACILITIES The Academy features three riding arenas, covered stables for over 90 horses and a 1200 metre canter track offering riders a chance to exercise horses through picturesque paddocks.

The Academy also offers a large horse truck to ensure riders have opportunities to compete regularly at a range of events.

Equestrian students are able to sit all Pony Club Certificates at school. The Academy offers ten school horses and ponies for Nga Tawa students to learn to ride on or use, if they don’t have their own pony.

EQUESTRIAN ACADEMY Inspired learning, inspiring lives

A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT Nga Tawa’s boarding environment is a nurturing, stimulating yet structured ‘home away from home’.

The boarding experience is characterised by a strong sense of community, life-long friendships and positive support and encouragement exchanged between peers.

INCREASING CONFIDENCE As students progress through the school from Year 9 to Year 13, boarders develop self awareness and self confidence, greater tolerance and a far greater appreciation of others, especially their parents and extended family.

Boarders live in boarding houses suited to their age.

Year 13 students live in the Cottages where they learn to manage a degree of independent living in preparation for leaving school. Each boarding house is under the care of a year level Boarding Manager.

Houses are characterised by a family atmosphere that is fun, nurturing yet productive and, above all, supporting educational outcomes.

DAY GIRLS In keeping with the School’s special character, Nga Tawa ensures day students are integrated into the daily routine and activities of boarders as far as possible. Day girls are integrated seamlessly into daily routines, with assistance from an on-campus mentor.

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Education Review Office, 2010

LIVING EXPERIENCES Inspired learning, inspiring lives

Nga Tawa was originally founded in Shannon in 1891 and later moved to Marton where the Wellington Diocese of the Anglican Church purchased the school in 1912. The Wellington Diocesan School for Girls, as it was known then, was an autonomous body, having the Bishop of Wellington as an ex officio member of the Diocesan Board.

ANGLICAN HERITAGE Nga Tawa has continued to operate as a boarding and day school for students, catering for the needs of families throughout New Zealand and internationally, wanting a dynamic Anglican, secondary education in a beautiful, rural setting. The chaplain lives on site supporting the school atmosphere which emphasises Christian standards, values and observance. Integral to this education is the use of the Chapel as a place of regular prayer, worship and instruction. Regular reflection and service values are reinforced through dedicated Acts of Worship.

SPECIAL CHARACTER In 2008, Wellington Diocesan School for Girls became, officially, Nga Tawa Diocesan School. In 2010, the maximum school roll increased from 260 to 290 New Zealand students (including 40 day girls), with international students in addition to this.

The Special Character

provisions of the Integration Agreement require that the School places a particular emphasis on Music, the Arts and Recreation.

LEADERS IN THEIR FIELD Nga Tawa has enjoyed wide ranging successes, both nationally and internationally for over 120 years and its traditions will live on into the future. Honours boards tell the stories of many influential women who have passed through the school and gone on to become leaders in their fields.

Nga Tawa is not just a school. It is a way of life.

RICH HERITAGE Inspired learning, inspiring lives

Oh Lord we beseech thy blessing upon this School, that whatsoever things are true, pure, noble, generous and of good report, may here forever flourish and abound.

Preserve in it an unblemished name, enlarge it with a wider usefulness, exalt it in the love and reverence of all its members, and use it as an instrument for thy glory, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our Lord.

Amen.

Thanks to Kevin Bills, Peter McDermott and Mangaweka Adventure Co for images.

Web: www.ngatawa.school.nz

Email: info@ngatawa.school.nz

Telephone: +64 6 327 6429

PB 1101, Marton, New Zealand