Awatapu College


Awatapu College is a state co-educational secondary school in Awapuni, Palmerston North, New Zealand. It was opened in 1976, and as of it has students.

History

Awatapu College opened on 2 February 1976 as Palmerston North's fifth state secondary school, with an initial intake of 244 Form 3 students. The school added year levels annually as the 1976 Form 3 cohort moved through, opening to all year levels in February 1980. The school was officially opened on 1 December 1976 by Prime Minister Robert Muldoon.
The area known as "Awatapu" started off as an Oxbow lake on the Manawatū River. It later became a lagoon that provided food and shelter to the local Māori of Rangitāne. It also provided food for a variety of birds, pests and eels. The name "Awatapu" was chosen because the school is located on the site of an ancient lagoon. A book about the school's first ten years said: "It was an ancient name which celebrated a forgotten event in the history of the tangata whenua – the Rangitāne people, whose ancestors had for many centuries padded along the bush tracks or splashed up the creek from the river to enjoy the bounty of Awatapu. Unless the name was used it would certainly soon be lost".
Like most New Zealand state secondary schools of the 1970s, Awatapu College was built to the S68 standard plan, characterised by single-storey classroom blocks with concrete block walls, low-pitched roofs, and internal open courtyards. At the time of opening, the only permanent building complete was the first general classroom block. The arts and crafts block opened in May, followed by a half gymnasium in July, and the administration block in September. Major extensions were a second general classroom block and the standalone library in 1978, the gymnasium extended to full size in 1979, the senior studies block in 1980, and the auditorium in 1986.

Principals

  • John Wall 1976–1989
  • Mike O'Connor 1990–1996
  • Larry Ching 1996–2002
  • Tina Sims 2003–2012
  • Gary Yeatman 2013–present

    Uniform and colours

The original uniform, selected by founding principal John Wall, was distinguished by its chocolate brown and gold colour scheme. This choice was partly influenced by the availability of pre-existing school uniform designs and the principal's own preference for those colours at the time. The uniform included brown sweaters and gold-coloured shirts, creating a distinctive appearance that led to the informal nickname "Pineapple Lumps" or "Bumblebees" among students and the wider Palmerston North community.
In 1995, Awatapu College introduced a black, white, and gold uniform, replacing the previous brown and gold attire. The new uniform included black sweaters, white shirts, tartan-patterned skirts, aligning with a more contemporary and neutral aesthetic. While some alumni viewed the change as a loss of a unique school identity, the updated uniform was generally well-received, with students appreciating its modern and professional appearance. The black, white, and gold uniform remains in use today.

Enrolment

As of, Awatapu College has a roll of students, of which identify as Māori.
As of, the school has an Equity Index of, placing it amongst schools whose students have socioeconomic barriers to achievement.

Academics

Awatapu College follows the New Zealand Curriculum. In Years 11 to 13, students complete the National Certificate of Educational Achievement, the main secondary school qualification in New Zealand.
In 2024, 75.6% of students leaving Awatapu College attained at least NCEA Level 1, 62.9% attained at least NCEA Level 2, and 39.5% attained at least NCEA Level 3. For schools in the same equity index band, the attainment rates were 83.4%, 72.9%, and 47.8% respectively.

Structure

Houses

Each student at Awatapu College is assigned a house. Since 2011, each house is named after a famous New Zealand person.
Each house has two student leaders.
HillaryNamed after Sir Edmund Hillary.
RutherfordNamed after Sir Ernest Rutherford.
SheppardNamed after Kate Sheppard.
NgataNamed after Sir Āpirana Ngata.

Throughout the year, there are various competitions between the Houses called "House Competitions", additional to the annual Swimming Sports, Athletics Sports and Cross-Country. Previously, each house was named after their colours in Te Reo Māori: Kikorangi, Whero, Kowhai and Kakariki, respectively.

Annual Events and Publications

School Magazine

The School Magazine, or "Yearbook" is given to students at the end of each year, usually on the senior sign out day. Students receive a copy of the magazine for free if they have paid the activity donation in their school fees, or can buy one for just $15. Early on, the magazine was titled "CHRYSALIS", referring to the transition of students from adolescence to more mature adults.
Throughout the year, a committee of Year 13 students and teachers organise the content, design and publishing of the magazine. Usually, the cover of the magazine is a photo of a special event or a submitted design.
In 2013, many older magazines were scanned and uploaded to the school's website by former College Archivist Dr Sue Stirling, making them available for anyone to download and view. These range from 1976 through to 2009. According to Dr Stirling, older versions may be made available.

Senior Honours Awards

The Senior Honours Awards signifies the end of the school year for seniors, and for some Year 13s, it is their last chance to say goodbye. This event is held to honour those who have achieved great success throughout the year academically in years 11, 12 and 13. The event usually consists of musical entertainment and supper afterwards for Year 13s, parents/caregivers, and visitors.
The official party consists of:
  • The Senior Management team – the Principal, Deputy Principals and Assistant Principal
  • Heads of Departments
  • Previous Staff Members of the school
  • Staff leaving at the end of the year and special guests
  • Representatives from the groups, companies and organisations sponsoring awards and prizes.
The event starts with a Māori Karakia and Mihi, followed by the National Anthem. Afterwards a speech from the chairperson of the Board of Trustees will be read. The Student Co-Leaders for the current year will also read a speech. The event ends with a closing Karakia and a Māori waiata. The awards include Certificates, the Principal's Special Awards, Distinction Awards and Honours Awards, which include the year's Dux Ludorum and Dux Litterarum. The next year's student leaders are also announced.

Sport

Awatapu have a local sporting rivalry with Freyberg High School. Awatapu have been the holders of the Mark Ranby Trophy which is a rugby union competition between these schools.
Awatapu has an annual sports exchange with Cullinane College, Whanganui for junior students generally competing in basketball, netball and rugby union. The exchange has been running as long as Cullinane has existed.
For senior students, there is an annual exchange with Makoura College in Masterton.

Notable alumni