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Tapawera Area School caters for the education of students from 5 years old all the way through to the end of high schooling. The school works strongly to function as one school but for many activities secondary and primary work in different ways and spaces.
Tapawera Kindergarten is also onsite, located in one of the primary classrooms. It is a separate entity but we do work together to link learning and ensure smooth transition of Early Childhood Education into Primary schooling.
Being a rural school means our programmes have a particular flavour at times and strong connections with our local environment and the opportunities that environment provides. Tapawera Area School was established in 1942 as the ‘Consolidated School’ which was formed through the closure and combining of a number of small primary schools across the region. Later it became a District High School and then finally an Area School.
Many of our students travel a good distance to attend using the services of Wadsworth Motors School Bus Services. A service which is still going strong after 100 years.
Our primary classes tend to be much smaller than town schools giving students opportunity to form closer learning relationships with teachers. Our high school classes are much smaller than those found in large secondary schools but with all the same opportunities and resources. We work hard to ensure equivalent or better opportunities for students.
3 Feb 2026
Parents - Come and have a look at this FREE, good, clean second hand uniform. It is sitting in the staffroom waiting for new homes.
Please help yourselves.
Tapawera Area School
Te Kura ã Rohe o Tapawera
With ‘FIRE’ in our hearts, empower, learn and grow.
Top of the South Area Schools Tournament
Billet Hosts Needed
This term, our school is hosting the Top of the South Area Schools Tournament (TOSI) and we are seeking billet accommodation for approximately 120 visiting students who will be competing.
???? Dates: Sunday 22 March – Friday 27 March (Week 8)
Students will arrive on Sunday afternoon and will need to be collected from school. During the week, they will travel to and from school by bus. Some assistance with transport after evening events may be required, however transport is not a barrier as we are able to use school vans to assist with drop-offs and pick-ups if needed.
Hosts will need to provide some meals during the stay. In reality, students will come home in the evening, have something to eat, sleep, and head out again the next day. A detailed information booklet with times and expectations will be provided to all hosts.
Most students prefer to be billeted with at least one other student from their school, and all students will be placed in same-gender groupings.
If you are able to host one or more students during this time, we would greatly appreciate your support. Please complete the Google Form below and indicate how many students you are able to accommodate: 2026 Billets Google Form
To help us confirm that we have enough spaces for all students as quickly as possible, please complete the form by Friday 13 February.
TOSI is only hosted by our school once every seven years. Even if your child is not involved this year, they are very likely to benefit from the same generosity of other schools when their turn comes around.
Your support plays a vital role in making this tournament possible for our students and visiting schools. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
For further information, please contact:
Gemma Walsh
???? gwalsh@tapawera.school.nz
Kia ora whanau,
The Friends of the School are kindly asking for as much help as possible on Sunday from 3pm - 5pm packing up the hall after Music in the Mountains AKA Caravan Weekend.
It would be lovely to see many students helping as Many Hands Make Light Work.
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