Welcome to         Waihao Downs School
Waihao Downs School is located on the Hakataramea Highway - the main road between Waimate and Kurow and the gateway to the Lakes.  Our district is bounded by Waitaki River in the south, the Waihao River in the north and the Hakataramea Valley to the west. The district is a productive agricultural area with farming the predominat activity.  Increasing farming involves dairying and dairy support. Our school district incorporates Waihaorunga and Ikawai as well as areas of Arno, Waihao Forks and the Waikakahi Valley.

 

 

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News

We are well and truly into Term 1 of the 2012 year, and it certainly has been a busy one.  We had ERO review the school in week 3 of the Term, a positive process and they were able to report favourably about the things we are doing in the school to promote student achievement and learning.  The confirmed report is not yet finalised, however there were plenty of things they identified in their preliminary report that we are proud of, particularly around the quality of teaching across the school, and the school culture we have here.

 

Building

It seems like forever ago that we received approval from the Ministry of Education to  build a new classroom in response to roll growth.  We can now report that work will begin from next week, 2nd April.  The plans have been approved, funding received and consents finally issued.  Let the building commence. The building is to be a multi-purpose space, housing resources, library and teaching spaces, and will be our publis meeting space as well.  We look forward to holding information evenings, school assemblies and showcase events in it once completed, which will likely be from the beginning of Term 3.


 

 

Swimming

 

We have enjoyed a great swimming season with our pool being in continuous use throughout the term.  Children have had daily instruction and made tremendous progress with learning to swim and gaining skills in the water.  Junior children showed off their abilities last week at our Junior Swimming Showcase in front of an audience of proud parents, on a lovely sunny afternoon.  Well done to all our budding swimmers! 

Senior students competed in the Rural Schools Swimming Sports earlier in the term at the Waimate Swimming Pool, and performed creditably.  They have enjoyed having additional coaching each week from local swimming coach Jo Cummings, and have all made improvements in technique and skills.  Our thanks to Jo for volunteering her coaching skills.

 

 

 

 
 
 
 Mrs Simonson leads her children during their swimming showcase.
 
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