Spotswood CollegeSpotswood
College is a modern and vibrant co-educational Secondary School situated in
the western suburbs of New Plymouth, New Zealand. Our roll at present is 950
male and female students ranging in age from 13 to 18 years of age. Both
academic and vocational subjects are taught to all levels, and Spotswood
College has built up a proud record of achievement in both the academic,
cultural and sporting arenas since its establishment in 1960.
Our staff is comprised of a blend of very experienced teachers, providing
leadership for a healthy group of enthusiastic young teachers.
New Plymouth is situated on the West Coast of the North Island in the
province of Taranaki, famous for its mountain, Mt Egmont or Maunga Taranaki
(a rival to Japan’s Mt Fujiyama), and for its gas and oil deposits. Because
of these deposits Taranaki is regarded as the Energy Centre of New Zealand.
New Plymouth has a population of 65,000 and is the service centre for a
large farming population (dairying, as well as sheep and beef cattle).
Currently New Plymouth is experiencing an economic boom with Tourism, Oil
and Building rapidly expanding. This is enhanced by a very vibrant Arts and
Hospitality scene, clearly shown by New Plymouth’s ever expanding Cafe and
Restaurant businesses. The magnificent Coastal Walkway on the edge of the
city is a celebration of the beautiful natural scenery of New Plymouth
“Beneath the Mountain and Beside the Sea”.
Spotswood
College offers exciting opportunities for all students in academic,
cultural and sporting areas.
Environment
Spotswood
College is situated in New Plymouth, which is situated
on the West coast of the North Island in the province of Taranaki, famous
for its mountain, Mt Egmont or Maunga Taranakiin the heart of the
Taranaki Province. The College is within kilometres of some of the best
surfing beaches in New Zealand and a little further to the ski slopes of
Mount Taranaki and the Egmont National Park. New Plymouth is Taranaki's
largest town with a population of 45,000 overlooking the Tasman Sea.
Taranaki itself is the foremost energy province in New Zealand situated 1
hours flight time from Auckland International Airport (or 4˝ hours by
car).
Special
character
Spotswood
College is a co-educational, multi-cultural school which is committed to
an inclusive philosophy of education which also promotes excellence in all
fields of school endeavour. The school caters for many Special Needs
students who are well integrated into the school community. Our school is
welcoming and friendly and overseas students enjoy the supportive
atmosphere. Today, Spotswood College is one of the larger schools in New
Plymouth with a roll of over 800. It maintains high academic standards. As
well as the strong emphasis upon academic excellence, the school promotes
a balance of activities -cultural, sporting and community service -and is committed to a safe, caring and friendly environment with
opportunities for developing leadership skills. Spotswood College is an
academic high school with a good reputation for scholastic excellence.
Students continue on to tertiary study and gain acceptance at all the
universities and polytechnics of New Zealand. Spotswood College emphasises
ongoing effort to achieve the highest academic success, participation in
music, drama and sport, and the development of firm friendships in a
caring environment.
Opportunity
is a key feature of life at Spotswood College. Many students take
advantage of the huge range of opportunities. Our
Kapa Haka group is very successful and are regional winners. Our
Young Enterprise group was also a Taranaki regional winner for the second
consecutive year and have recently returned from the New Zealand finals,
where 14 Secondary schools were involved out of over 300 entrants.
We are exceptionally proud of them. Our Hatrix and Concert bands
continue to be highly sought after and once again won medals in regional
competitions
Our
sporting culture is thriving and the numbers involved in teams have
increased. We have had excellent successes, and for many students
their involvement in sport has assisted their academic progress as it has
helped them to be very positive about school life.
Facilites
& Services
Spotswood
College has a full complement of laboratories, computer suites, music,
art, technology suites (materials, textiles, foods, electronics) and
sports facilities, library and classrooms. TV, video, overhead projectors
and stand-alone computers are standard equipment for classrooms. All
classrooms and specialist teaching rooms are fully equipped with the
latest teaching technology to assist the highly trained and qualified
teachers. Full support services for students are available from Form
teachers, year level Deans and the Guidance Counsellor. International
students also have their own "Dean of International Students"
for support. International students are "buddied" with a local
student upon arrival at Spotswood College. The Principal keeps close
contact with parents.
Getting
to New Plymouth
International
flights arrive at Auckland or Wellington. Domestic flights bring students
to New Plymouth where they are met by the Dean of International Students
of Spotswood College, welcomed and settled into their accommodation.
International airports can be confusing for young people travelling alone
for the first time. For this reason Spotswood College has engaged the
services of a local airport guide who is available to escort students
through airport formalities and see them safely on to their connecting
flight to New Plymouth. (The charge for this service is $NZ100 (GST
included). Parents are asked to include payment for this service at the
time of advising Spotswood College of flights and arrival times in New
Zealand).
Postal
Address: Spotswood
College PO Box 6116 New Plymouth New Zealand
