Nestled on the edge of Fiordland National Park, our students draw inspiration from our mountainous surroundings to reach for their best, whether in the classroom, exploring the bush, or enjoying time with friends on the playground.
The school site is on Milford Road and occupies a tree-lined site of 2.2 hectares in the centre of Te Anau. We are a contributing (Year 0 – Year 6) school (U4) with a roll between 280 and 300 students. We have a decile ranking of 9.
At Te Anau School, children thrive in an atmosphere that values community and nature. Here, they learn not just from books but from hands-on experiences that connect them to the world around them. With dedicated teachers and a focus on exploration and growth, every child is encouraged to reach their full potential.
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. We are a Kids Restore the Kepler School helping to bring birdsong back to the Kepler Track
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.