School Facilities

Mairehau High School is a well-equipped state high school. Significant upgrading of facilities began in 2002, continued into 2007 and now apart from some landscaping our new block was completed in 2008. Education for the 21st century demands up-to-date specialist equipment and facilities. Better opportunities are created when this equipment can be set up in rooms designed for specific purposes.

The specialist facilities include:

• five science laboratories
• music, art and drama suites
• food technology room and textiles technology room
• Maori studies whare
• foreign language rooms
• materials technology (metal and wood) workshops
• computer-based graphic design suite
• a careers and transition-to-work centre
• a gymnasium
• international students' centre

As a result of our own fundraising we have many additional items for the use of students including:

• extensive information and communication technology facilities
• transport for disabled students
• video equipment
• 12-seat minibus
• lunchtime sports equipment
• music instruments
• workshop machinery

The school also has an assembly hall and a well-stocked, attractive and comfortable library. We have recently relocated our school tuck shop These facilities have been paid for by your school fee. This is $75 for individual students or, where there is more than one student in the family, $105. The fee is tax deductible. We rely heavily on families paying this for purchasing essential items.

Grounds

Our attractively landscaped grounds of over eight hectares include a range of sports fields and eight tennis and netball courts.

Learning Resource Centre

The services that the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) offer and co-ordinate make it unique among Christchurch high schools.

The LRC offers specialist instruction in Numeracy, Literacy and Life Skills. Our aim is to ensure all students achieve to their capability.

The LRC also manages the participation of students with special needs (learning) in the mainstream of the school. This involves using specialist resource teachers to co-ordinate teacher aides and other required professionals.

Physical Disabilities Resource Centre

The Physical Disabilities Resource Centre (PDRC) is a centre which provides an extensive range of educational programmes and support for students whose prime disability is physical. It is known nationally for its skill in providing specifically for the needs of this group of secondary aged students regardless of their academic ability.

In consultation with students, their parents and other agencies, the staff prepare, implement and review programmes appropriate to the needs of each individual. Students attend classes in the mainstream and take part in a wide range of social and sporting options available at Mairehau High School and in the community. Individual programmes include computer skills, work experience and the living skills which afford students maximum independence and a smooth transition to life in the community when they leave school.

Professional services currently on site include teachers trained in Special Teaching Needs, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Language Therapy. Support staff include Special Education Assistants and Teacher Aides who attend to care needs and provide support appropriate to the educational needs of each student.