Nga Tawa open day showcases girls' school in Marton

Talitha Lamb (left) and Maddie Pyke are ambassadors for their school. Photo / Lin Ferguson

Nga Tawa Diocesan School for girls in Marton shone in all its rural spendour last week for prospective parents and their daughters at the school's open day.

Sunlit park-like grounds and the state of the art equestrian centre were the perfect backdrop to the beautiful old weathered brick buildings with their signature archways.

Principal Lesley Carter said the Anglican boarding school was a truly wonderful place for girls to live and learn.

"This is a very small school with a roll of up to 290 girls and we are a tightly knit community in every sense.''

The school values of respect, integrity and courage were the pillars of the school culture, she said.

An ERO report earlier this year says the school was highly successful in achieving equitable "and excellent outcomes for all its students".

"Almost all students staying through to Year 13 achieve NCEA Level 3 and University Entrance qualifications with endorsements.''

The report says the school draws its strengths on strong leadership of the management team together with the trustees.

"And a strong collaborative, supportive staff who are highly responsive to students and their needs.''

Carter has no hesitation in decribing Nga Tawa as an extraodinary school for girls.

"They move from young girls to young women in a resilient, all-round caring and confident environment.''

About 40 prospective parents and their daughters were gathered for this ''School Action Day".

They also heard from head girl Bridget Bone, Head of Sport Daisy Power and Head of Humanities Lydia Whyte. These three young women were all enthusiastic and talked with passion about how their years at the school have prepared and shaped them for the outside world.

Bridget said Nga Tawa had meant so much to her. "It has unlocked my potential and given me the chance to explore all possibilities.''

Daisy said she had been encouraged to pursue all her sports with courage. "It has equipped me with great value and characters for the rest of my life. It has been a wonderful Nga Tawa journey for me."

And Lydia said her creativity had known no bounds. "When you walk out through these green gates you will be infinitely well equipped for your life with no regrets.''

Waiting outside in the corridor was a team of senior students ready to take the parents and daughters on a tour through the school and its grounds.

There is a large international contingent of girls at the school from Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Japan and Germany. Nationally students come from Northland to Timaru.

(from Left) Sheree Drysdale, Shane Edwards and Head girl Bridget Bone Monday, June 25, 2018 Wanganui Chronicle photograph by Lin Ferguson.

The atmosphere around the school is friendly and calm. Groups of girls in their distinctive brown and gold-striped blazers are often laughing and looking very much at home. As one girl said sometimes she doesn't want go home for the weekend. "I'm having too much fun here.''

For boarders there are accommodation blocks for Years 11 and 12 with the emphasis on self-management and independence. These girls stay in standalone blocks with single and twin rooms.

Year 13 students live relatively independently in eight self-contained cottages each containing six bedrooms, a lounge, fully equipped kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities.

Full boarding at Nga Tawa is $22,807.70. Local boarding (two days a week) is $13,050.