Waihi School, Winchester

26/08/2026

🏉 A fantastic way to finish the Year 7 rugby season!

Our Year 7 rugby team wrapped up their season with a special festival day at Fraser Park, and what a way to finish it. The boys went unbeaten throughout the day, producing some fantastic rugby and showing the skill, determination and teamwork they have developed across the season.

There was a little more to this festival than simply getting out on the field. New Zealand Rugby were on hand to film games as part of their Year 7 trials and data collection, while players, parents and coaches also had the opportunity to contribute through focus groups and feedback. It was a great chance for our students to be part of something a little different and contribute to the future development of Year 7 rugby.

Most importantly, it was a brilliant way to finish the season. Plenty of rugby, plenty of smiles and a group of boys who have continued to develop, compete and enjoy their rugby throughout the year.

A big thank you to the coaches, parents and supporters who have been behind the team all season.

25/08/2026

🔬 A first for Waihi!

A huge congratulations to Lawrence and Harry, who have become the first Waihi students to earn their Bronze Science Badges!

These badges are earned in students’ own time, and it’s not uncommon to see small groups of budding scientists filling the library at lunchtime, working their way through their badge challenges under the careful eye of Mrs Cunningham.

To achieve Bronze, students must complete five individual Science Badges, making this a significant achievement and a great example of students choosing to extend their learning beyond the classroom.

It’s fantastic to see such curiosity and enthusiasm for science developing at Waihi.

Well done, boys. You’ve officially made a little bit of Waihi science history! 👏

24/08/2026

📚 It’s back for another year!

Waihian’s love to read, and we’re keen to keep that page turning! We launched our Reading in Unusual Places Challenge at assembly on Friday, and it's now officially underway.

The challenge is simple: take your book somewhere unusual and get reading! There are some cracking prizes up for grabs this year, including a class prize, so there’s plenty to play for.

We’re looking forward to seeing where our students end up this year. Think outside the book!

Don’t forget to send your photos by email or via ClassDojo. Get creative, Waihians!

23/08/2026

At the beginning of this year, Waihi School introduced Financial Literacy as a timetabled subject – because we believe understanding money, making informed financial decisions and developing good financial habits are essential life skills.

Led by STEM teacher Helen Cunningham, our students are learning practical skills that will support them well beyond their years at Waihi.

The programme we use, MoneyTime New Zealand, was developed by Waihi Alumni Neil Edmond, giving our students an engaging and practical way to learn about earning, saving, spending, budgeting and making smart financial choices.

With financial literacy increasingly recognised as an important part of a young person’s education, we are proud that Waihi is taking a proactive approach and giving our students these skills while they are still at school.

It is also wonderful to see the importance of financial literacy in schools highlighted in the Timaru Herald, and to see Waihi’s approach reflected in this important conversation about preparing young people for their financial futures.

Take a look at the story below to find out more about why financial literacy matters – and how Waihi is helping prepare our students for the future.

Classrooms are already ahead of the curve, teaching financial literacy long before the 2027 national mandate comes into effect.

21/08/2026

The first-ever NFL Waihi Fantasy Football Draft!

On Monday, we held our very first NFL Waihi Fantasy Football Draft — and it was fair to say there was a bit of excitement in the room!

Each student was randomly assigned a draft pick and, when their name was called, stepped up to select one of the 32 NFL teams to represent and follow throughout the season.

While there are definitely bragging rights and house points on the line, there’s also plenty of learning happening behind the scenes!

Throughout the NFL season, students will follow their team's progress and use real-world data to develop their understanding of statistics and mathematics. We’ll be looking at wins and losses, points scored, player statistics, averages, percentages, graphs, tables and comparisons — giving students a real reason to collect, interpret and discuss data.

It also opens the door to learning beyond maths. Students are discovering where their teams are located in the United States, learning about different cities and states, researching players and teams, and building an understanding of how a professional sporting competition works.

Most importantly, it gives our students something they can follow, talk about and get excited about together. Every week the standings will change depending on how their NFL team performs, with plenty of friendly division rivalry!

For some of our students, Monday was the first time they had ever heard of their team. By the end of the season, hopefully we have 32 new NFL experts!

A pretty cool way to combine sport, maths, statistics, research and a whole lot of fun.

Now we wait for the season to begin…

Thanks to NFL FLAG for continuing to help grow the game and get more Kiwi kids excited about American Football!

19/08/2026

🏉🏑🏐 A brilliant day of winter sport at Waihi!

Under some pretty spectacular South Canterbury skies, we had a fantastic day of sport yesterday as we hosted Medbury School and Selwyn House School for our annual winter fixture.

It was pleasing to see the 1st XV, 2nd XV, Colts rugby, 1st XI football and Senior A Hockey all in action, with the 2nd XV and Colts fixtures returning to the calendar after a number of years.

Selwyn House also brought along a Year 7 hockey team and Year 7 netball team, adding even more to a great day of competition.

With close to 200 young people taking to the fields and courts, competing hard, having fun and catching up with friends, it was exactly what prep match sport should be about.

A great day all round, and a reminder of just how fortunate we are to have such strong relationships with our fellow schools. Well done to all involved!

18/08/2026

Ukulele has been the main focus in the Music Room this term.

Students have been learning chords and strumming patterns, then putting their skills into practice by playing along with some of their favourite songs on our SMART TV. It has been fantastic to see their confidence and musical skills developing throughout the term.

One of the best parts has been watching our more experienced players helping those who are new to the ukulele. It’s wonderful to see students supporting and encouraging each other as they learn.

The ukulele is a fantastic instrument for students to learn. It’s accessible, fun and provides a great foundation for those who may eventually want to transition onto guitar.

There has been plenty of strumming, singing and, most importantly, lots of fun making music together.

17/08/2026

🔬 Waihi Science Fair 2026

Our Year 7 students have been putting their scientific skills to the test, choosing an investigation of their own interest, developing a hypothesis, designing and conducting a fair test, analysing their results and then presenting their findings on a science board.

A big thank you to David Batchelor from South Pacific SERA Laboratory in Timaru, who joined us as our guest judge and had the difficult job of working through the impressive range of projects.

🏆 1st: James Blackman – What liquid dissolves your teeth the fastest?
🥈 2nd: Claire Copland & Emerson Frew – What breed of sheep wool provides the best insulation?
🥉 3rd: Bella King & Hazel Pirie – Do different types of music affect how fast we run?
4th: Maddison Taylor – How does gluten affect baking's texture, taste and shelf life?

Congratulations also to our Highly Commended students: Lachie Siegert, Chloe Overcomer & Matilda Joho, Ella Stalker & Jane Curd, Nathan Roycroft & Andy Wright, and Harry Clayson.

The top four projects will now represent Waihi at the NIWA Science Fair in Timaru, where they will go up against entries from schools across the region.

Most importantly, well done to all of our Year 7 students. Producing a science investigation from an idea through to a finished board takes a great deal of thought, persistence and hard work. You should all be proud of what you've produced.

16/08/2026

What a fantastic way to finish the season for two of our Waihi Netball teams! 🏐💙🤍

A huge congratulations to Waihi Blue, who were crowned champions of their grade with a brilliant 15–10 win over Waimataitai Steel in their final. An outstanding effort and a well-deserved result after a fantastic season.

Congratulations also to Waihi White, who finished as runners-up of their grade, going down 22–14 to Craighead Yr 8 in a hard-fought final. A special shoutout to Craighead for an excellent final and for the outstanding season they have had.

We are incredibly proud of all of our Waihi teams for the commitment, teamwork, determination and grace they have shown all season. Well done, girls – what an achievement! 💙🤍👏

15/08/2026

Mount Hutt Independent Schools Ski Champs ⛷️

A fantastic effort from our 21 kids who took part in some extremely testing conditions! 👏🏼We’re incredibly proud of their determination, resilience and team spirit.

🏆 Ted Dwyer – 1st, Year 1–6 Boys
🥉 Immy Ivey – 3rd, Year 7–8 Girls
🥉 Angus Gloag – 3rd, Year 7–8 Boys
🥉 Year 7–8 Girls Team – 3rd
🥈 Year 7–8 Boys Team – 2nd

Huge congratulations to all our skiers for an outstanding day on the mountain!