Mairehau High School

Mairehau High School is a school in Christchurch, New Zealand, taking its name from the suburb Mairehau. The school is located at the northeast end of the suburb, near to Shirley, thus forming a coeducational alternative to Shirley Boys' High School, and Avonside Girls' High School.

The school is currently undergoing redevelopment plans, which will take place over the next several years. The modern developments will accommodate the expanding role numbers, and be a great improvement from the current classroom buildings. The new design will be based around a set of one-storey buildings, with the two main blocks (based on the Nelson Plan School Buildings) being demolished entirely.

Mr Harry Romana is the current Principal of the school, and he follows in the footsteps of Headmasters the late Mr A.B. (Bruce) Ryan, Mr Gary Jeffery, Miss Jillian Ussher, and Mr Neil Lancaster.

Mairehau High School opened on February 1, 1961, having been constructed on the advice of the Department of Statistics (now Statistics New Zealand).

Modernisation and Upgrade of School Buildings and Facilities

The school is currently undergoing a re-construction, demolishing and building three new classroom blocks. During the end of 2007, the two-storey Archer block was demolished, making way for the final 2 classrooms adjoining the new Archer Block. The other two-storey Tennant block will be demolished and a new block of classrooms will be built to replace it eventually.

History

Originally when the school was built, prefabricated buildings were mainly used onsite until roll numbers increased, requiring more larger and longer-lasting buildings to be built, although there are still three of the original prefabs onsite, one of which is now used as the Common Room for year thirteen students. The Tennant block was opened in July 1962, and still serves its purpose as a double-storey 12-classroom Nelson Plan–based block.

The Archer block was opened in February 1963 but several years later was damaged by a fire. This same year the tuckshop was built but was replaced in mid-2007.

On 11 October 1967 the school gymnasium was opened with Charles Upham V.C. a special guest speaker at the ceremony. In 1969 the Ford block was opened and the Cartwright Block and Staffroom were extended. This same year the Walter Library is opened. In the early 1980s, the Ryan Block (Science Laboratories) and the Music Suite were opened. In 1985 the Physically Disabled unit is opened.

School Facilities

• Five science laboratories
• Music, art and drama suites
• Food technology room and Textiles technology room
• Maori studies Whare
• Materials technology (metal and wood) workshops
• Computer-based graphic design suite
• A careers transition centre
• A gymnasium
• An international students' room
• Five computer suites
• A well stocked library

The Senior Student Executive

As with many other New Zealand secondary schools, once a student comes towards the end of year twelve, they are eligible to apply for The Senior Student Executive. The Student Executive are appointed towards the end of year twelve and uphold their positions the following year in year thirteen. Their primary goal is to represent the student voice within the school. The Student Executive meet with the Dean of their year group once a week to discuss ideas that could possibly be implemented within the school. In the past, Student Executive members have helped organize mufti days, organised assemblies and met with other school’s Executive members, amongst other things. The Executives are decided on by a panel of judges (in the past this has consisted of such people as deputy principals, deans, the guidance counsellor, etc.)

Applications are produced and handed out sometime around October or November. Mairehau High School typically produces Student Executive applications and hands them out at assemblies, allocates a time limit for students (if they desire) to read the job description, fill out a C.V and cover letter and hand those requirements in. From there, if a student is successful they will be short-listed. After a student has been short-listed they receive a letter telling them where and when to meet for an interview. If a student is successful in the interview stages then they will receive a phone call home congratulating them on their appointment.

The roles of The Senior Student Executives have been changed and have expanded over the years. Mairehau High School began with a head boy and head girl structure but then evolved into a Student Executive Group.

PDRC

The Physical Disabilities Resource Centre (PDRC) is a centre which provides an extensive range of educational programmes and support for students whose prime disability is physical. It is known nationally for its skill in providing specifically for the needs of this group of secondary aged students regardless of their academic ability.

Professional services currently on site include teachers trained in Special Teaching Needs, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Language Therapy. Support staff include Special Education Assistants and Teacher Aides who attend to care needs and provide support appropriate to the educational needs of each student.

Notes

External links

• http://www.mairehau.school.nz/ - Official School Site
• School history