Our Campus
Western Springs College – Ngā Puna o Waiōrea is located in an attractive area of parks and reserves near the centre of Auckland and close to the Waitematā Harbour. The college is surrounded by museums, the Auckland Zoological Park (the Zoo), Western Springs Lakeside Park and roadside gardens. The college is situated at 100 Motions Road, Western Springs. Across the other side of Motions Road is Western Springs Park.
The Cafeteria
Great food and excellent value.
Our cafeteria is open at interval and lunchtime. Much of the food is made on site, with a focus on providing healthy options. The menu includes a selection of homemade cakes, slices and brioche, wraps (hot and cold), sandwiches, paninis and pizzas. Delicious homemade soup is a favourite in winter. Lots of options are always available for vegetarians and vegans.
Our Cafeteria has achieved 100% zero waste to landfill at the “front of house”. No gladwrap, no plastic containers or cutlery and no plastic bottles. We think this may be a first for a school food centre!
Here’s what our people have to say…
I work at Springs / Waiōrea because our mission statement & our values are completely in line with what I think is key to a happy, healthy, functioning society. I am so proud of Vinnie & Satomi not just rising to the challenge of reducing waste to landfill but actually eliminating it from the front of house. Next step reuseable serveware!
I think that Vinnie has done a wonderful job trying to reduce the waste that the canteen produces. One thing that I like are the sandwiches, they are tasty and healthy. Recently I bought a sandwich out of hunger, despite it just being a salad and cheese between a bun, it was extremely beautiful – the brie/camembert with the avocado and the sauce is awesome. Another thing is instead of opting for the typical choice of gladwrapping the sandwich, it is kept together with a bamboo skewer and semi wrapped with a piece of brown paper. This may seem like a small thing, but if you think about it, the canteen sells 40 sandwiches a day. If we were to gladwrap each sandwich, that would be so much unnecessary plastic for such a short time of use. So choosing this option is such a big deal because it significantly reduces the amount of plastic that the canteen will produce.
Year 11
Dress
Here at Springs we are proud of our non-uniform policy. Students value the sense of freedom from conformity that it gives them, and our parents and staff frequently comment on the ‘campus feel’ of this place. We are one of the few secondary schools in New Zealand that has successfully maintained such a policy – one that is much more common overseas than here.
Our prospectus celebrates the fact that we have no formal uniform as part of an educational philosophy aimed at developing “sensible attitudes towards matters of dress and appearance.” It is noted that dress should be neat and appropriate for all school related occasions.
As we cope with summer heat it is timely to remind students that school is a workplace and that they should dress appropriately for a workplace. School is not the beach! We want to remind students and parents about clothing that is suitable for the classroom. We ask students and parents to help us in maintaining what is now an almost unique non-uniform policy by dressing appropriately.
When staff feel that it is necessary to intervene in matters of dress they will do so discreetly and address the matter in the context of clothing that is not appropriate for school. Parents will also be contacted if dress standards are repeatedly breached.
Western Springs College has no formal uniform. The development of sensible attitudes towards matters of dress and appearance is seen as part of the education process here at Springs.
Dress should be neat and appropriate for all school related occasions. When considering questions regarding acceptability of dress, the College’s decision will be final. Parent and caregiver support is expected and appreciated.
The Physical Education department have a uniform, this can be purchase from The Uniform Shoppe in Avondale – 521 Rosebank Road, Avondale, Auckland 1026 or online here.
Performing Arts
Springs – Waiōrea has a well-deserved reputation for innovative school dance and drama productions, devised musicals and multi-cultural events. Students have the opportunity to participate in the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival, Stage Challenge (a student-led initiative involving Years 9-13), and the school production. The Performing Arts Centre (TAPAC) provides a magnificent venue to support the creative talents of our dance, drama and music students. Technical aspects of theatre production are offered through the Performing Arts Technology courses in the senior school.
Culture
All students are encouraged to become involved in cultural groups. Ngā Puna o Waiōrea competes very successfully in the two main annual cultural festivals in Auckland. Many other cultural groups represent our college community by performing at various concerts and events throughout the year, such as the annual Po Fia Fia Night.
Music
Active participation in music is the primary aim of the music department. Performance of all styles of music is encouraged and students take part in events such as the talent quest, choir, jazz band, assemblies, evening performances, visits to local schools, fundraisers, drama performances, the Smokefree Rock Quest and the Auckland Secondary Schools’ Orchestra and Band Festival. The music department staff are supported by ten part-time tutors. Students have the opportunity to participate in small group instrumental tuition for flute, keyboard, piano, saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, cello, double bass, electric bass, drum kit, guitar, violin, viola and voice.
Transport to School
By Bus
Here are Auckland Transport’s travel options (journey planner to Springs). Our nearest public bus stops are on Great North Road, #8124 west bound and #8125 city bound. These are within 500m of the school. The outer link stops by MOTAT 2 on Meola Road. Our nearest train stations are Baldwin Avenue and Morningside, both on the western line.
Walking and Cycling
Walking and biking are great forms of transport for nearby students and other visitors to the school. The PDF has maps for walking and cycling. We have two uncovered bike rack areas: one off the rear staff carpark, next to the Ken Havill Centre for Learning, the other bordering the Zoo/TAPAC carpark.
By Car
When driving to school or dropping a student/s off, please park on the road frontage. Parents, students and staff are not permitted to park in the Zoo/Tapac carpark.
Debating
Debating is a popular extracurricular activity at Western Springs College. Students who participate gain confidence in public speaking and learn to think on their feet. They also extend their general knowledge and develop their analytical skills. Our teams traditionally do very well in the inter-school competitions where we enter at junior, senior and advanced level.
Chess Club
Many students enjoy the game of chess. In Chess Club students are able to play, practice and learn about chess as a social or a more competitive game. The Club participates in the inter-secondary competition.
College Ball
The Western Springs College Ball is always a lot of fun and a chance for students and staff to let their hair down (or put their hair up!). The Ball is held in the second or third term each year. It is organised by the Ball Committee under the supervision of a Deputy Principal.
BYOD
Springs – Waiōrea received a full school network upgrade and integration in the high speed Network 4 Learning in late 2015. As a result of this we are able to support a full BYOD learning environment for students at all levels. All students are expected to bring a suitable device to school with them to support their learning.
For further information on selection of suitable devices view the BYOD page here
Stationery
Stationery is ordered through OfficeMax. Go to myschool.co.nz, search Western Springs College, select list for appropriate year of student and whether enrolled at Springs or Ngā Puna o Waiorea. You can then add or remove items from the list prior to purchase.
Students are encouraged to come to school each day with the correct stationery equipment to enable them to participate in all of their classes.
Students are also encouraged to bring a suitable digital device to school with them each day to participate in our E- Learning environment. More information on BYOD at Western Springs College can be found here.
Environmental Sustainability
Health Wise, Travel Wise and Waste Wise leaders all work cohesively to develop Springs as a sustainable environment.
Supported by the research team from the Department of Psychology at the University of Auckland, as well as Enviroschools, Waste Wise and Travel Wise coordinators from Auckland Council and representatives from the District Health Board, our students have access to a wide range of experiences and skills.
Wises leaders work closely with the corresponding Wises Panel. Each of the three Wises panels consists of students from across all year levels. Students are provided with a range of opportunities, including a Wises Camp, in order to develop both leadership skills and sustainability know-how.
At Springs – Waiōrea we pride ourselves in developing young leaders who are well-informed, passionate and proactive.
Travelwise
Springs – Waiōrea is a proud to be a Travelwise school. Travelwise is a programme supported by Auckland Transport. Its goal of reducing car use in our community aligns to our school’s vision to promote a sustainable future.
The programme works to:
- encourage and increase use of active travel modes and public transport;
- provide safer facilities for all users of transport;
- reduce congestion around schools.