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Our Story
Māruawai College is a co-educational state school catering for Year 7-13 students which opened at the start of the 2024 academic year. We have been established because of a voluntary merger of Gore High School and Longford Intermediate.
We are committed to providing an exceptional educational experience at Māruawai College that is learner centred. To achieve this, we focus on successfully meeting the educational objectives set by the Government.
We strive to ensure the following:
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Learners, with their whānau, at the centre of everything we do. -
Great education opportunities and outcomes within reach of every learner.
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Quality teaching and leadership that makes a difference for learners and their whānau.
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Learning that is relevant to the lives of New Zealanders today.
At Māruawai College, we believe education is not just about gaining knowledge, but also about developing character and becoming responsible members of our community.
We strive to create a safe and nurturing environment where students can grow and thrive and are empowered to make a positive impact on the world around them.
Established in 1908 on the banks of the Mataura river, Gore High School was the first school and is the largest secondary school in Eastern Southland. The adjoining hostel was built in 1923 and the school opened on its present site in 1954.
The motto “Palma Non Sine Pulvere” translates as “No reward without effort”. This traditional work ethic is still promulgated as an important factor in educational success.
The co-educational Year 9-13 school has a roll of 482 local students. The school sits in nine acres of grounds in the heart of Southland surrounded by beautiful productive farm land, and close to stunning lakes and majestic mountain scenery. The community is dependent on a rural economy. Many of our students travel to school each day by bus.
WE VALUE:
Effort
Manawanuitanga
Respect
Ngākau Whakaute
our staff
Senior Leadership Team
Deans
Leeana McKenzie
Year 9 Dean, Teacher of English, Literacy, Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCO)
Aidan Forbes
Year 10 Dean, Learning Area Leader of Technology, Teacher of Technology - Metal
Sarah le Roux
Year 11 Dean, Learning Area Leader of English, Teacher of English, Drama
Senior Campus Teaching Staff
Hayley Clarke
Teacher of Health and Physical Education, Technology - Foods, Hauora Teacher
Geraldine Dold
Learning Area Leader of Science, Teacher of Science, Chemistry, Hauora Teacher
Sam Hadfield
Teacher of Music, Health and Physical Education, Hauora Teacher
Maggie Harvey
Learning Area Leader of Health and Physical Education, Teacher of Health and Physical Education, Hauora Teacher, EOTC Coordinator
Carl McKenzie
Teacher of Agriculture, Technology, Technology Teacher at Junior Campus
Soley O'Driscoll
Year 9-10 Curriculum Practitioner Lead - English, Teacher of English, Hauora Teacher
Molly Stevens
Teacher of Design and Visual Communication, Technology - Digital, Science, Mathematics, Hauora Teacher
Ryusei Wakushima
Teacher of Health and Physical Education, Sport and Recreation, Hauora Teacher
Casey Williamson
Teacher of Mathematics, Technology - Fabric, Hauora Teacher
Senior Campus Support Staff
Melissa Clarke
Cleaning Staff
Trudy Cumming
Cleaning Staff
Chris Gentle
Caretaker - Senior Campus
Angela Pavitt
Cleaning Staff
Gayle Ross
Head of Cleaning Staff
Liza Waitaiki
Cleaning Staff
Fiona Waipouri
Cleaning Staff
Junior Campus Teaching Staff
Candace Adams
Home Room Teacher, Special Education Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) - Junior Campus
Carl McKenzie
Technology Teacher at Junior Campus, Teacher of Agriculture, Technology - Wood, Year 9 Lego Innovators module
Junior Campus Support Staff
Brent English
Caretaker - Junior Campus
Board of Trustees
The Māruawai College Board of Trustees is responsible for the governance of the school.
Our vision is 'Learners are inspired and prepared for success' . We are dedicated to shape exceptional learners who embody the highest standards of academic excellence and personal growth. We believe every student has the potential to achieve greatness, and we provide exceptional opportunities to nurture their talents and unleash their full potential.
Meeting calendar
This year’s meetings will be held in the Māruawai College School Meetings Room from 6pm on the following dates:
- 19 February
- 26 March
- 21 May
- 25 June
- 30 July
- 27 August
- 29 October
- 3 December
Bronnie Grant
Presiding Member
Melanie Hamilton
Principal
Katie McKenzie
Parent Trustee
Ruby Zamberi
Parent Trustee
Damon Topi
Parent Trustee
James Goodwin
Parent Trustee
Angela Chamberlain
Staff Representative
Max McGregor
Student Representative
STRATEGIC PLAN
At Māruawai College, we are dedicated to fostering an exceptional educational experience for all. From our mission and values to providing a learning environment where every student feels a sense of pride, belonging, and an opportunity to thrive, our strategic plan serves as a blueprint guiding our pursuit of excellence.
EDUCATION REVIEW OFFICE FINDINGS
At Māruawai College, our commitment to nurturing every learner and preparing them for a changing world has been affirmed by the Education Review Office in their 2025 report.
We are proud that ERO has recognised the strong foundations we have established since the formation of our new college. The report highlights the positive culture of trust, collaboration and innovation fostered across our staff and leadership, as well as our focus on creating a connected, future-focused curriculum that promotes student engagement and wellbeing.
ERO acknowledged our calm and inclusive learning environments, the clear vision developed in partnership with our community, and our commitment to continuous improvement. It also endorsed our robust systems for monitoring progress and supporting learners’ success across both campuses.
We are especially focused on lifting achievement in literacy and numeracy for our junior students, continuing to refine our curriculum, and ensuring high-quality, consistent teaching practice for all learners.
This report is a reflection of the shared dedication of our board, staff, students, and whānau. Together, we look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to shape a school where every learner can thrive.
You can read the full report HERE
Our Foundation
Gore High School celebrated its Centennial in 2008, 100 years of providing learning to the wider community of Eastern Southland. The school was initially established by the river, with a new school on the current site in Coutts Road in 1954.
The school has produced many outstanding graduates but moreover has equipped all its students with the knowledge, confidence, and skills to build successful lives and sound careers in a broad range of areas. The educational challenge of this modern information age requires new thinking, much initiative and imagination, as well as resourcing.
In 1998, the Gore High School Foundation was formed as a Charitable Trust by the Board of Trustees. The Foundation members include former pupils, the Rector, a representative from the PTA, the Board of Trustees, and a staff representative.
The Future Foundation Fund was established to provide opportunities for students of today and tomorrow.
The purpose of the fund is not to provide money to supplement Ministry of Education funding, but to fund the school’s own projects, with the aim of students becoming ‘Connected Learners for Life’.
The Foundation provides scholarships at each year level for students who reflect some aspect of the school motto ‘No reward without effort’.
The Foundation Scholarships have been very well received by the students since their inception in 2005. They are prestigious awards that sit at the very heart of the school. They do not necessarily belong to the most academic students as many awards do, but rather award the outstanding effort of individuals, independent of academic ability. With your support, the Foundation plan to extend these scholarships.
scholarships
Year 9 (Bronze medallion):
Courtesy both inside and outside of the classroom.
Year 10 (Bronze medallion):
Effort inside and outside of the classroom.
Year 11 (Silver medallion):
To honour commitment to extra-curricular activities associated with by the school.
Year 12 (Silver medallion):
To honour outstanding improvement.
Year 13 (Gold medallion):
To honour outstanding service to the school.
If you would like to donate towards the ‘Future Foundation Fund’ or become a member of the Foundation Committee, please contact Olivia Grace (Foundation Secretary) via email
Olivia Grace
Foundation Secretary
Lindsay Wright
Chairman