One Tree Hill College has an environment to be proud of. Inside, our
refurbished classrooms and corridors have an art collection that
surpasses that of any other college in the country. Collected over many
years, it consists mainly of works by prominent New Zealand artists, but
also includes student work of an extremely high quality. Outside, our
gardens, spacious grounds and mature trees provide a pleasant
environment for study, sport and recreation.
Curriculum We offer a top–quality education to all our students covering all the
essential learning areas. Students are encouraged to strive for
excellence by both studying in depth and by broadening their knowledge,
interest and skills in a wide range of subjects. Our timetable is
structured so that students can study subjects at different levels in
the same year.
Staff Teaching, office, grounds, caretaking and ancillary staff are part of a
team of more than 80 who serve our students and the community. Teachers
appointed to One Tree Hill College are top–quality people who are well
qualified and enthusiastic about their subjects and about teenagers.
They involve themselves in the very active life of the college and
participate in many co-curricular activities outside the classroom.
Communication Parents are invited to communicate directly with the whanau leader
concerned with their child, or with the guidance counsellor. Interviews
with individual teachers must be arranged through the principal or a
deputy principal. There is a student telephone for use in emergencies.
Messages for students will not be taken except in cases of genuine
urgency. The college reception is open from 8:00am to 4:00pm during the
college terms.
Student Support Services To ensure maximum academic progress, One Tree Hill College has developed
a comprehensive pastoral care programme. All students are part of a form
class within a whanau setting. Each form class is supervised by one of
four whanau leaders. The whanau leaders and form teachers take a special
interest in the attendance, welfare and progress of each of their
students.
Year 9 students are in whanau classes together with help from Year 13
students. This peer–support programme is an example of how senior
students can help Year 9 students to settle into secondary school, while
at the same time developing their own leadership and personal skills.
There is a highly professional support service offered to students
through the Student Services Centre. There is a counsellor, resource
teacher for learning and behaviour (RTLB) specialist, a social worker,
nurse and attendance officer.
Attendance Regular attendance is essential for success at school. Attendance is
checked carefully every period by classroom teachers and at form time.
If a student has not returned after three consecutive days of absence
the caregiver will be contacted. Similarly, the caregiver will be
contacted if a student fails to bring a written explanation for their
absence on their return to school, or if they arrive late to school
without a written excuse. Students who arrive late or require a pass to
leave school during the day must report to the attendance officer.
