Nau mai, haere mai ki Hurunui College - welcome to our kura.
Kia ora koutou, nau mai, haere mai, It’s great to be back home at Hurunui College after two years on secondment with the Ministry of Education, where I’ve been working as a Leadership Advisor alongside area schools across Aotearoa but particularly throughout Te Waipounamu. That time away reinforced just how special schools like ours really are. Rural and area schools are places where students are known, relationships are strong and learning is deeply connected to community. Hurunui College is a great example of this. As we begin a new school year, we’re excited to welcome both returning families and those who are new to our community. The start of the year is always full of energy and possibility, and it’s a great time for students to set goals, build connections and get involved in the wide range of learning and other opportunities we offer. Hurunui College is proud to be a Years 0–13 area school. That means your child can grow and learn in one caring, connected environment from their first day at school through to graduation. Our older students look out for the younger ones, our staff know every learner and we work with whānau to make sure each young person gets the support they need. Our values of Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence guide everything we do, in the classroom, the playground and the wider community. Being a rural school is one of our great strengths. Our learners benefit from authentic, real-world learning, strong community partnerships and the space to explore their interests, whether that’s academic study, the arts, trades, agriculture, sport or leadership. We’re proud of the pathways our students take and the confident, capable young people they leave us as. If you’re thinking about enrolling your child, we’d love to hear from you. We’re always happy to show families around, answer questions and talk about how Hurunui College can support your child. Enrolments are welcome at any time, and starting at the beginning of the year is a great opportunity to become part of our school community from day one. We look forward to another great year of learning, growth and shared success here at Hurunui College. Ngā mihi nui, Stephen Beck Principal - Tumuaki Hurunui College |
Download the Skool Loop app from Google Play Store or App Store to stay connected.
|
Mid Term 1 2026 - Pānui
As we wrap up an incredibly busy and productive Term 1, I want to take a moment to reflect on the energy and effort that has defined Hurunui College over the past weeks. From the classroom to the coast, and from the sports field to the mountain pass, it has been a term of immense growth and connection for both our primary and secondary ākonga.
Our calendar has been packed with opportunities for students to push their boundaries. It’s been great to see so many students getting involved in our school wide events.
None of these experiences would be possible without the dedication of our staff, teachers, and volunteers. To the parents who drove vans, the teachers who spent nights away on camp, and the community members who marshaled at events, thank you. Your contribution makes Hurunui College a great place to work and learn.
It's important to remember that participation isn't just about winning; it’s about the sense of community and togetherness that develops through giving things a go. When we contribute to something bigger than ourselves, we create an environment where everyone feels included. It is about the enjoyment of pushing yourself and simply doing your best.
Attendance Matters - Priority on Learning
To ensure every student has the best chance to succeed, we are aligning with the Government’s priority; 80% of students attending school for more than 90% of the time.
To support this, we have introduced our Attendance Management Plan and the STAR (Structured Attendance Response) system. What does this mean for Whānau?
Investigating Graduation Programme
Hurunui College will soon be introducing a new Year 9 and 10 Investigating Graduation Programme designed to recognise the many different ways students can succeed at school. The programme celebrates not only academic achievement, but also effort, progress, and involvement in the wider life of the school.
Alongside this programme, we are introducing updated reporting for Year 9 and 10 students, with a stronger focus on learning behaviours such as readiness to learn and being engaged and focused. These changes aim to support student engagement, recognise individual strengths, and encourage students to take pride in their learning and participation at Hurunui College. There is a parent meeting scheduled to introduce both - Tuesday 17th of March 5.30pm - Textiles Room
Stationery Orders
Hurunui College has changed the way stationery is supplied for your child/ren. To provide a more streamlined and efficient service, we are moving to an online ordering system. You are now able to order from OfficeMax - Myschool, a link is also accessible on our website under our enrolment information. https://www.myschool.co.nz/hurunuicollege
Orders will be delivered to your home address.
School Centenary 1927 - 2027
We are excited to announce that planning is underway for our Centenary (100 Years @ Hurunui College). Mark your calendars for Labour Weekend 2027 (22nd–23rd October).
Upcoming Dates
Term 1
16th March - Y12 Biology Field Trip
17th March - Year 9 and 10 Parents Information Evening
18th March - Discovery Trip Motunau Beach
21st March - Hawarden Show
31st Mar – 2nd April - CASAFest 2026 - Cheviot Area School
2nd April - Last Day of Term 1
Term 2
20th April - Term 2 Starts - Welcome back!
23rd April - Y11 History Museum Visit
27th April - ANZAC Day Observed - SCHOOL CLOSED.
28th April - Teacher Only Day - SCHOOL CLOSED.
29th April - HPSSA T-Ball
3rd - 4th May - TOSI Sports Trials
6th May - School Photos
7th May - Career Expo
It has been a very busy but quite a settled term with so much happening. I hope everyone is looking forward to the upcoming term break and all our students can look forward to coming back refreshed and ready to learn in term 2
Ngā mihi nui,
Stephen Beck
Principal - Tumuaki
Hurunui College
As we wrap up an incredibly busy and productive Term 1, I want to take a moment to reflect on the energy and effort that has defined Hurunui College over the past weeks. From the classroom to the coast, and from the sports field to the mountain pass, it has been a term of immense growth and connection for both our primary and secondary ākonga.
Our calendar has been packed with opportunities for students to push their boundaries. It’s been great to see so many students getting involved in our school wide events.
- From our own Swimming Sports and the School Triathlon to representing us at the Combined Country High School Swimming and Athletics and the Hurunui Primary Schools Swimming events.
- Our Tabloid Sports day was a highlight, showcasing our house competition and connections across our school.
- The Exploring Learning Community had contrasting experience on their Arthur’s Pass Camp. With the first crew experiencing hot and dry weather and the second experiencing the true Westcoast rain and wet.
- Learning Beyond the Classroom: Our Year 9 Orientation Trips helped our newest secondary students find their feet, and various Science trips have brought the curriculum to life in the real world. Also our Outdoor Ed class has explored the Kaikoura coast line.
None of these experiences would be possible without the dedication of our staff, teachers, and volunteers. To the parents who drove vans, the teachers who spent nights away on camp, and the community members who marshaled at events, thank you. Your contribution makes Hurunui College a great place to work and learn.
It's important to remember that participation isn't just about winning; it’s about the sense of community and togetherness that develops through giving things a go. When we contribute to something bigger than ourselves, we create an environment where everyone feels included. It is about the enjoyment of pushing yourself and simply doing your best.
Attendance Matters - Priority on Learning
To ensure every student has the best chance to succeed, we are aligning with the Government’s priority; 80% of students attending school for more than 90% of the time.
To support this, we have introduced our Attendance Management Plan and the STAR (Structured Attendance Response) system. What does this mean for Whānau?
- You will notice that our follow-up regarding absences may happen at a much earlier stage than in the past and will be more structured.
- Thresholds for intervention are set for every term and start with early intervention (5 days of absence) and interventions gradually increase to targeted support (10-14 days) and intense action(15+ days).
- These are proactive steps to firstly identify any barriers early and to seek external intervention when needed.
- If you have a planned absence it is important to discuss these early with your child's classroom and Ako teacher.
Investigating Graduation Programme
Hurunui College will soon be introducing a new Year 9 and 10 Investigating Graduation Programme designed to recognise the many different ways students can succeed at school. The programme celebrates not only academic achievement, but also effort, progress, and involvement in the wider life of the school.
Alongside this programme, we are introducing updated reporting for Year 9 and 10 students, with a stronger focus on learning behaviours such as readiness to learn and being engaged and focused. These changes aim to support student engagement, recognise individual strengths, and encourage students to take pride in their learning and participation at Hurunui College. There is a parent meeting scheduled to introduce both - Tuesday 17th of March 5.30pm - Textiles Room
Stationery Orders
Hurunui College has changed the way stationery is supplied for your child/ren. To provide a more streamlined and efficient service, we are moving to an online ordering system. You are now able to order from OfficeMax - Myschool, a link is also accessible on our website under our enrolment information. https://www.myschool.co.nz/hurunuicollege
Orders will be delivered to your home address.
School Centenary 1927 - 2027
We are excited to announce that planning is underway for our Centenary (100 Years @ Hurunui College). Mark your calendars for Labour Weekend 2027 (22nd–23rd October).
- Preregistrations: We are seeking early preregistrations now to help with planning. You can complete the Pre-registration Form Here.
- Hawarden Show: We will be promoting the Centenary at the upcoming Hawarden Show, come and say hello if you are wanting any more initial information.
- Getting Involved: Our initial steering committee has held its first meeting, and we are now seeking wider community support. If you’d like to contribute to the event, we’d love to hear from you. By completing the preregistration form you can indicate your willingness to be involved or email [email protected]
Upcoming Dates
Term 1
16th March - Y12 Biology Field Trip
17th March - Year 9 and 10 Parents Information Evening
18th March - Discovery Trip Motunau Beach
21st March - Hawarden Show
31st Mar – 2nd April - CASAFest 2026 - Cheviot Area School
2nd April - Last Day of Term 1
Term 2
20th April - Term 2 Starts - Welcome back!
23rd April - Y11 History Museum Visit
27th April - ANZAC Day Observed - SCHOOL CLOSED.
28th April - Teacher Only Day - SCHOOL CLOSED.
29th April - HPSSA T-Ball
3rd - 4th May - TOSI Sports Trials
6th May - School Photos
7th May - Career Expo
It has been a very busy but quite a settled term with so much happening. I hope everyone is looking forward to the upcoming term break and all our students can look forward to coming back refreshed and ready to learn in term 2
Ngā mihi nui,
Stephen Beck
Principal - Tumuaki
Hurunui College