“Abundant water”. Does that ring a bell? That is what Wairau means. Welcome to Wairau Intermediate School. This school first opened in 1980. It was the first variable space intermediate school on the North Shore.
Wairau Intermediate sits between Forrest Hill and Sunnynook. The school nearly took one of those names. Dave Kerr the principal wanted community input. Wairau was chosen as the school’s name. Wairau means “abundant water”. This seemed fitting. Water is the basis of all growth. This includes physical emotional and academic growth.
Toi Maihi designed the school logo. She was the wife of Deputy Principal Berry Maihi. The logo shows the theme of abundant water and life. The school’s principle was caring respect and support. Children’s growth could be nurtured. Staff could easily cater for individual needs. This remains a supportive learning place. Wairau focuses on academic physical and emotional growth. The school originally had ten classes. It quickly grew over the years.
Wairau Intermediate’s vision is inspiring excellence and pride. The school fosters a supportive environment. It encourages academic excellence and creativity. It promotes personal growth. The school prepares students for future challenges. It instills a love of learning. Students gain skills to thrive in a changing world.
Wairau Intermediate has modern teaching spaces. These allow flexibility. This includes grouping programme planning and collaboration. Different learning styles are supported. Year 7 and 8 students learn together. This supports the “Tuakana Teina” model. Year 7 students learn from Year 8 students.
Students stay with the same teacher for two years. This bridges the gap from primary to high school. Wairau has well-resourced technology. There are visual and performing arts departments. The school also has a library. Outdoor spaces include a large field. There is also a playground. You can also find an outdoor performance area here. Two Astroturf courts are available for sports.
Wairau Intermediate has made good progress. It addresses development priorities. Effective governance builds capability. Collaborative practices improve evaluation. Students experience settled learning environments. They have variety in programmes. They gain increasing opportunities. They also have ownership of their learning. The school takes pride in being a supportive learning institution.