Whanganui High School

In February 1958 a group of 148 Third Formers gathered for the first Assembly in the present D1. There was a staff of nine.

By 1969 the roll had risen to 1100. The first Principal, Mr A.T. Gibson, emphasised 'manners, character, scholarship and human relations'. He stressed that the School was not an 'it' – the 'family' life of the school was vital. These emphases have remained.

The school developed a tradition of 'self-help' and through much fundraising has built up some very good facilities for the use of the students and staff. Facilities such as the Swimming Pool (1962), the Gymnasium (1968), the Centre Court, the extensions to the Cafeteria and Theatrette (1980's), the Shelters (1990's), The Department/Ministry of Education has added the Library (1970), The Music Block (1972), Te Atawhai (1996), Music and Drama renovations (1999), Staffroom – Te Arahi (1999), Science Block and Deans' House – Te Whare Kaiārahi (2002), and new Gymnasium facilities (2006). In 2008 the school celebrated its 50th reunion.{{cite web |publisher= Whanganui High School |url=http://www.whanganuihigh.school.nz/about-wanganui-high-school/history |title=WHS History |accessdate=27 August 2018}}

The school's motto is 'That we might have life' and comes from the Book of John, in the New Testament (Chapter 10, Verse 10) "I am come that they might have life, and they might have it more abundantly".{{cite web |title=The Good Shepherd and His Sheep |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10&version=NIV |website=Bible Gateway |accessdate=27 August 2018}} The school interprets this to mean that through academic, cultural, sporting and socialisation opportunities the school provides, each individual will have the opportunity to live life to the full.

Stemming from this motto is Whanganui High School's LIFE values. These are; Learning, Integrity, Fellowship, Excellence. These values form the bases of daily teaching and learning at Whanganui High School

As of {{NZ school roll data|3=y}}, Whanganui High School has a roll of {{NZ school roll data|189|y}} students, of which {{NZ school roll data|189m|y}} ({{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ school roll data|189m|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ school roll data|189|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%) identify as Māori.{{NZ school roll data|4=y}}

As of {{NZ school equity index data|203||y|||}}, the school has an Equity Index of {{NZ school equity index data|189|y||||}},{{NZ school equity index data|28|||y||}} placing it amongst schools whose students have the {{NZ school equity index data|189b|y||||}} socioeconomic barriers to achievement (roughly equivalent to decile 4 under the former socio-economic decile system).{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=School Equity Index Bands and Groups |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/data-services/guidelines/school-equity-index-bands-and-groups |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=www.educationcounts.govt.nz |language=en-NZ}}

Whanganui High School follows the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC).{{Cite web|url=http://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/The-New-Zealand-Curriculum|title=NZ Curriculum TKI website}} In Years 11 to 13, students work towards the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) the main secondary school qualification in New Zealand,{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/studying-in-new-zealand/secondary-school-and-ncea/|title=NZQA official Website – Secondary School and NCEA page}} and international qualifications such as Cambridge Assessment International Education in Mathematics.{{Cite web|url=https://www.whanganuihigh.school.nz/courses/mcs2/|title=Whanganui High School – Cambridge Math Examination page}}

File:Whanganui High School Front Entrance - August 2017.jpg

File:Aerial View of Whanganui High School - October 2018.jpg

File:Opening of Whanganui High School's Confucius Classroom - 21 May 2013.jpg

File:Whanganui High School's Production 'Once on This Island' - June 2018.jpg

File:National Stage Challenge Winners - 2016.jpg

The school has had eight principals in its history:{{cite web|title=WHS History|url=http://www.whanganuihigh.school.nz/about-wanganui-high-school/history|publisher=Wanganui High School|accessdate=19 September 2018}}

• A.T. Gibson (1958–1967)
• M.D. Fountain (1968–1978)
• P.G. Canham (1979–1985)
• L.I. Power (1985–1993)
• W.J. Maguire (1994–2009)
• N.G. Hanton (2010–2012)
• G. Olver (2012–2016)
• M.G. McAllen (2017–present)

The official Houses Opening Day for all students and staff of Whanganui High School took place on Friday 16 February 2018 at the Jubilee Stadium, Whanganui. Whanganui High School historically had a house system but it lapsed in 1972; eight Houses were introduced in 1982 just for swimming and athletics but this lapsed in 1989. During 2017 the community was consulted about possible House names and identities. The four House names chosen were Awa, Maunga, Moana and Whenua. Those names were gifted to the school, along with the iwi story of the origin of the Whanganui River{{Cite web|url=https://res.cloudinary.com/whanganuihigh/image/upload/v1566262378/Houses/Whanganui_Creation__Story_60cm.pdf|title=Creation Story of the Whanganui River – Gifted to Whanganui High School page}} at the Houses Opening Day.{{cite news |title=Whanganui school comes together in four houses |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/education/news/article.cfm?c_id=35&objectid=11996013 |accessdate=18 September 2018 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=19 February 2018}}

The houses of Whanganui High School are:

• AWA
• MOANA
• WHENUA
• MAUNGA

The houses originate from a well-known whakataukī proverb{{cite web |title=Page 1. Ancestors |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/whanganui-tribes/page-1 |website=Te Ara |accessdate=18 September 2018}}

E rere kau mai te awa nui, Mai i te kāhui maunga ki Tangaroa, Ko au te awa, Ko te awa ko au.

The river flows from the mountain to the sea. I am the river, the river is me.{{Cite web|url=https://www.whanganuihigh.school.nz/about-whs/houses/|title=Whanganui High School Website: House page}}

In 2013 Whanganui High School was approved by the International Confucius Institute in Beijing to set up a Confucius Classroom – one of only four secondary schools in New Zealand and only 400 worldwide. Confucius Institutes are non-profit public institutions aligned with China that aim to promote Chinese language and culture, support local Chinese teaching internationally and organise student cultural exchanges.{{cite web |title=China honour for WHS |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=11099882 |website=The New Zealand Herald |accessdate=18 September 2018}}

Smokefreerockquest

• 2021 Regional Winners – 'Jansen and the Amps'{{Cite news|last=Davidson|first=Doug|date=1 July 2021|title=High School Band wins Whanganui Rock Quest competition|work=River City Press |url=http://www.rivercitypress.co.nz/press/1st-july-2021/|access-date=1 July 2021}}
• 2020 Regional Winners – 'In Business'{{Cite web|last=Tweed|first=Mike|date=10 August 2020|title=Whanganui band in Business takes out Smokefree Rockquest regional final|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/whanganui-band-in-business-takes-out-smokefree-rockquest-regional-final/UZT53DMMZSKURAXPZCSN4SHK6A/ |access-date=22 June 2021|website=The New Zealand Herald }}
• 2019 Regional Winners – 'In Business'{{Cite news |first=Laurel |last=Stowell |date=2019-06-09|title=Whanganui High School band in Business wins rockquest|language=en-NZ|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=12238747|access-date=2019-06-21|issn=1170-0777}}
• 2018 Regional Winners – 'The Remnant'{{Cite news |first=Zaryd |last=Wilson |date=2018-06-10|title=Whanganui High School clean up at Rockquest finals|language=en-NZ|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=12067926|access-date=2019-06-21|issn=1170-0777}}{{Cite press release |date=11 June 2018 |title=Smokefreerockquest 2018 Whanganui final results |website=Scoop News|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1806/S00093/smokefreerockquest-2018-whanganui-final-results.htm|access-date=2019-06-21}}
• 2018 National Finalist in the top seven bands{{Cite web|title=NZ's best high school acts chosen for Smokefree Tangata Beats|url=https://teaomaori.news/nzs-best-high-school-acts-chosen-smokefree-tangata-beats|access-date=2019-06-21|website=Māori Television|language=en}}
• 2018 Smokefree Tangata Beats – 'The Remnant'
• 2017 Regional Winners – 'Straight Lace'{{Cite news|date=1 June 2017|title=WHS girl band win Smokefreerockquest regional finals|work=Rivercity Press (Whanganui, New Zealand)}}
• 2016 Regional Winners – 'Why Vibrations'{{Cite web|date=2016-06-13|title=Smokefreerockquest Results Roundup: Whanganui, Otago, Auckland, Timaru, Wellington and Manawatu|url=https://tearaway.co.nz/smokefreerockquest-results-roundup-whanganui-otago-auckland-timaru-wellington-manawatu/|access-date=2019-06-21|website=Tearaway|language=en-US}}
• 2015 Regional Winners – 'Contraband'{{Cite web |date=25 November 2015|title=Top pupils reflect on college|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/top-pupils-reflect-on-college/3BGZWPXK3PLBCNMFC5ZPLMDZQM/ |access-date=22 June 2021|website=The New Zealand Herald }}
• 2014 Regional Winners – 'Contraband'{{Cite news|date=2014-05-25|title=High School's Contraband a winner +Photos|language=en-NZ|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=11261784|access-date=2019-06-21|issn=1170-0777}}
• 2013 Regional Winners – 'Functional'
• 2012 Regional Winners – 'Red Velvet Cheesecake'{{Cite news |first=Lin |last=Ferguson |date=2012-08-24 |title=Rockquest final's music to students' ears |language=en-NZ |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=11072905 |access-date=2019-06-21 |issn=1170-0777}}
• 2012 National Finalist – 'Red Velvet Cheesecake'
• 2011 Runner Up – 'Red Velvet Cheesecake'
• 2010 Runner Up
• 2009 Regional Winners 'Lambic Rhythms'
• 2007 Regional Winners{{Cite news|last=Bryan|first=Mary|date=2008-05-25|title=Rockquest regional winners stoked|language=en-NZ|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=10970241|access-date=2019-06-21|issn=1170-0777}}
• 2005 Third Place Nationally 'The Legions of Sound'
• 2002 National Winners – 'The Have'{{Cite web|title=History|url=http://smokefreerockquest.co.nz/history/|access-date=2019-06-21|website=smokefreerockquest.co.nz}}{{Cite web|title=Wanganui Group Take Rockquest|url=https://www.muzic.net.nz/news/217/wanganui-group-take-rockquest|access-date=2019-06-21|website=muzic.net.nz}}

DanceNZMade Stage Art

• 2020 Regional Second Place{{Cite web|last=Performing Arts Department|first=Performing Arts Department|date=24 September 2020|title=Stage Art team placed 2nd in the 2020 Showquest Open Section|url=https://www.whanganuihigh.school.nz/news/2020-09-23-2nd-in-the-2020-showquest-open-section/ |access-date=22 June 2021|website=Whanganui High School}}
• 2018 Regional Winners – 'Uncovering Alice'{{Cite web|last=King|first=Jesse|date=10 September 2018|title=Whanganui High School wins Stage Art with powerful Lake Alice Hospital performance|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/whanganui-high-school-wins-stage-art-with-powerful-lake-alice-hospital-performance/KWUH7J6DAMDVPG66J7YZRH3QCI/ |access-date=22 June 2021|website=The New Zealand Herald }}

Smokefree Stage Challenge

• Ten times winners of the New Zealand Regional Smokefree Stage Challenge{{Cite news|last=McDonald|first=Anne-Marie|date=2014-06-08|title=Top honour for flawless work|language=en-NZ|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=11270375|access-date=2019-06-21|issn=1170-0777}}
• 2016 Regional & National Winners – '29 Below'{{Cite web|title=Months of rehearsing leads to one night for Stage Challenge|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/80473641/months-of-rehearsing-leads-to-one-night-for-stage-challenge|access-date=2019-06-21|website=Stuff |language=en}}
• 2014 Regional Winners – 'Invisible Children'
• 2012 Regional Winners – 'Where There's Smoke There's Fire'{{Cite news|last=Ferguson|first=Lin|date=2012-05-22|title=Dynamic display as WHS rises to Stage Challenge|language=en-NZ|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=11063744|access-date=2019-06-21|issn=1170-0777}}
• 2009 Second Place Nationally – 'Women's Suffrage'{{Cite news|date=2009-08-25|title=WHs stage team are high flyers|language=en-NZ|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=10985892|access-date=2019-06-21|issn=1170-0777}}
• 2004 National Winners – 'Scratch the Surface'

In June, 2019 Whanganui High School renamed the school's gymnasiums.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/secondary-education/news/article.cfm?c_id=315&objectid=12241101|title=Whanganui High School renames gyms and courtyard |date=2019-06-17|access-date=2019-06-23|language=en-NZ|issn=1170-0777}}

• Vogel Gymnasium was named Te Ihi (excitement)
• Seddon Gymnasium became Te Wehi (awesome)
• Reeves Gymnasium became Te Mana (prestige)
• Ballance Courtyard became The Courtyard

The whakataukī 'te ihi, te wehi, te mana' used in its entirety, refers to the qualities which collectively spark the feeling of exhilaration. Given the purpose of the gymnasiums, these are accurate reflections of the results that are produced.{{Cite web|url=https://www.whanganuihigh.school.nz/about-whs/history/|title=Whanganui High School Website – WHS History page}}

{{main category|People educated at Whanganui High School}}

• Catherine Bishop, historian
• Sam Blenkinsop, pro downhill mountain biker and medallist at the 2011 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships{{cite web |title=Blenkinsop wins third consecutive Dodzy Memorial Enduro |url=http://www.whanganuihigh.school.nz/news/blenkinsop-wins-third-consecutive-dodzy-memorial-enduro |publisher=Whanganui High School |accessdate=1 January 2019}}
• Max Brown, Olympic canoeist{{Cite web|last=Brown|first=Max|date=1 July 2021|title=Max Brown – New Zealand Olympic Team|url=https://olympic.org.nz/athletes/max-brown |access-date=1 July 2021|website=New Zealand Olympics}}
• Michael Fitzgerald, rugby player
• Chris Harris, olympic rower{{Cite web|last=Harris|first=Chris|date=1 July 2021|title=Chris Harris – New Zealand Olympic Team|url=https://www.olympic.org.nz/athletes/chris-harris/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818011345/http://www.olympic.org.nz/athletes/chris-harris/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 August 2016 |access-date=1 July 2021|website=New Zealand Olympics}}
• Annette Main, former Mayor of Whanganui
• Sir Jerry Mateparae, Governor General of New Zealand
• Alan McIntyre, hockey player
• James Musa, soccer player
• Sam Malcolm, NZ rugby union player
• Semisi Masirewa, Fijian rugby union player
• Bill Osborne, NZ rugby union player
• Sosoli Talawadua, rugby player NZ Black Ferns
• Jess Watkin, cricketer
• Keightley Watson, international judoka{{Cite web|last=Watson|first=Keightley|date=1 July 2021|title=WATSON KEIGHTLEY|url=https://www.ijf.org/judoka/37665 |access-date=1 July 2021|website=The Official International Judo Federation}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.whanganuihigh.school.nz/ School website]
• [http://www.ero.govt.nz/Early-Childhood-School-Reports/School-Reports?profileid=189 Education Review Office (ERO) reports for Whanganui High School]

{{Schools in Manawatu-Wanganui}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Secondary schools in Manawatū-Whanganui

Category:Schools in Whanganui