Our Vision: Climb our way to the top!
At Te Anau School, we believe that every child has the potential to reach great heights. Nestled on the edge of Fiordland National Park, our students draw inspiration from the awe-inspiring landscapes surrounding us. We encourage our students to explore, discover, and grow from the classroom to the bush, the playground to the lake.
Learning Beyond the ClassroomOur unique location allows us to integrate the natural world into our learning. Students venture into surrounding areas, exploring Fiordland and the shores of Lake Te Anau, and engage with their environment in meaningful ways, fostering a lifelong love of learning and adventure.
A Supportive and Connected CommunitySituated on a beautiful 2.2-hectare, tree-lined site along Milford Road in the heart of Te Anau, our school is a vibrant hub of learning and community. As a contributing school (Year 0 – Year 6), we welcome between 300 and 320 students each year. Our inclusive culture ensures every child feels supported and valued.
Join us on our journey to climb our way to the top together!
Te Anau School runs many different activities aimed at getting our children out and about. These include activities utilising Fiordland National Park and our lake, kapa haka, mountain biking, swimming, stoat trapping, and our new Clubs programme. Our Club's programme encompasses many learner-centred activities such as farming, biking, art, gymnastics, CO2 cars, baking, computer coding, and bush skills. We are constantly changing and adjusting these activities to suit the needs of our learners.
We have excellent teaching resources, including: A well-stocked library, resource rooms, sports shed, heated/covered swimming pool, double tennis courts, playground, rugby, soccer and hockey fields, and verandahs outside main classroom blocks, all situated on landscaped grounds. We have a Harakeke garden, a chicken coup and a vegetable garden. Plenty of trees are on site, and yes, the children can climb them!
Community input is a big part of Te Anau School. We are very lucky with the support that we receive from community members, community groups and local businesses.
We are next to the town centre which allows us easy access to the lake, public library, pump track/skate park, Events Centre and shops.
We have great technology resources. Each class has Chromebooks, a Flat-Screen TV, and an iPad. Our Senior Team is BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). We run a sponsorship programme with Fiordland Lobster Company Ltd who fund half of a Chrome Book for each student in Year 4 and above.
We are an Enviro-School and have been awarded a Green Gold Award from Environment Southland. We have designed and made a new Garden Area with the help of many parents and members of the community.
Orbell represents the five core learning dispositions we believe are important for a Te Anau School Learner
Orbell is wearing a greenstone necklace (pounamu) representing Fiordland/Milford Sound, the Te Anau School uniform to show our uniqueness and pride and a friendly and welcoming smile just like a Te Anau learner.