Menzies College

Menzies College is a Year 7 to 13, co-educational school situated in Wyndham, a small township located on the edge of rolling hill country, on the banks of the Mataura River, about half way between Invercargill and Gore .  The surrounding rural area is a mix of intensive dairying and the more traditional sheep and cattle farming.

80 percent of our pupils travel to school each day by bus from a far flung catchment that stretches from Fortrose on the southern coast, to Mataura to the north of Wyndham.

Location 

The school's central location makes it an ideal base from which to take advantage of all of Southlands many outdoor playgrounds including the Catlins in the East and Te Anau and the Southern Lakes in the west and northwest.  These areas are used extensively for our outdoor education programme. 

Community School 

Menzies College is a community school and our links, especially with the families of our students, are a source of pride. As part of a rural school of around 400, students find themselves being known by most staff.  This fosters a family atmosphere where students can feel they are treated as individuals and where individual learning needs can be targeted.

Curriculum 

Students attending Menzies are offered a very broad curriculum that provides a well rounded educational experience.  There are opportunities for all attending the school to shine in whatever their chosen field might be.

Qualifications

Programmes leading to National Certificate in Educational Achievement qualifications are offered in all curriculum areas at levels one, two and three. There is a wide range of programmes catering for both those who wish to pursue academic qualifications and those who struggle with higher levels of educational attainment.

Outdoor Education 

An extensive outdoor education programme provides life skills and experiential learning opportunities for all levels of the school.  Those with a flair for sport have the advantage of being involved with groups that have substantial parental support through coaching and management roles, our rugby, in particular, regularly performs beyond what might be expected of a smaller rural school. "Artistic" flair is encouraged and cultivated through in-class programmes in the arts and through participation in Stage Challenge and drama productions.

Attitudes and Values 

The "Menzies Way" is an acknowledgement that there is a core set of attitudes and values that govern the "way we do things around here".  Attitudes that value students, parents and staff and the contribution each can make to the successful functioning of our school are fostered at all times within the school. We expect all associated with our school to participate in all the opportunities that are provided for them.  We expect them to give of their best at all times and to respect others by acknowledging and valuing individual differences.

Core values of pride, respect, perseverance and Integrity (the School Moto) are at the heart of what we expect from all associated with our school

Organisational Structure

The school is organised in year levels.  Each class has two homeroom teachers allocated to it. There are Deans at each year level.  We use a 5 day/ 6 periods per day timetable with a standard 20 min a day devoted to silent reading.

Improving Student Achievement 

Our emphasis is on teaching and learning and how we can improve the classroom performance of both students and staff.  Our strategic planning is based around the central goal of improving student achievement and we provide considerable professional development opportunities for staff to continue to work towards this goal.