Welcome from the Principal (Tumuaki)
Kia ora koutou katoa
Welcome to Kaikorai Valley College. Thank you for taking this time to explore and find out just a little bit more about us, a school “where excellence is an attitude”. We are incredibly proud of our school and everything it stands for, and invite you to come in for a look and find out for yourselves just what we have to offer, and the incredible physical setting in which the school is nestled.
Kaikorai Valley College (KVC) is a medium sized (500 - 550), Year 7 – 13 co-educational State Secondary School, situated in a beautiful park-like setting (10 hectares) on the west side of the city. Unique to KVC, is our very own urban farm that provides learning opportunities tied into our broad curriculum. KVC is also very proudly an Enviroschool, meaning we take very seriously the role of looking after not only our own environment but also that in other parts of the city.
At KVC we have a reputation for providing a SAFE learning environment where students receive a high quality education and everyone together is achieving more. In 2020 the school introduced whānau groups as part of its pastoral care system. This has allowed us to form very strong partnerships between the school, child and home. It does mean that every whānau has an immediate point of contact at the school where any issues can be followed through. You can read more about this under the pastoral tab.
Unusual for an urban city school, Kaikorai Valley College offers continued education for the ages of 10 to 18, or Years 7 - 13. This does mean students are able to come to us for their ‘intermediate’ years as part of our highly successful Junior College where they get the best of both worlds by having the opportunity to taste what it’s like to move around the school and have some specialist teachers while also having a homeroom teacher. After two years, well over 90% of these students have fallen in love with the school and decide to continue into the senior schooling years here at KVC.
In 2022 we are planning to introduce some exciting developments in a redesign of our curriculum in Years 7-10. This will allow students a depth and breadth of studies that will capture their interest and be very engaging. Again, you can read more about this under the academic tab.
We are also very proud to provide a co-educational setting that reflects the world around us, providing students with the opportunity to develop into self-confident young adults who are happy to share ideas and opinions in any situation. We also believe strongly in self responsibility, expecting clear standards of behaviour, with comprehensive structures in place for student support.
While academic studies will always retain a very high priority, we appreciate and understand that we have a responsibility to ensure students are active participants in “a range of life contexts” (NZ Curriculum).
We place high value in educating the ‘whole’ person, providing experiences that develop skills for adulthood. This certainly takes place in the classroom but also happens in the many different opportunities we offer.
We believe in ‘Opportunity and Success for ALL.’ Sometimes we are asked, “What does this mean?” At our school we want to ensure students have the opportunity to pursue their interests, not only in the classroom, but also on the sports field, on stage, in performance or whatever that passion might be. We do not say you have to reach a particular standard first. If you want to be in the school production we will find a spot for you. If you want to play volleyball, we will make up a team so that you can. If you want to be a part of a band, we will try to make that happen.
Our aim at Kaikorai Valley College is to give the young people of our community the very best start in life in an environment where every student matters, and every moment counts.
Please continue to explore the website and if you would like to look around the school, discuss any aspects of what we offer, or how we might meet your needs, please do make contact and I will be very happy to meet with you.
Nga mihi
Rick Geerlofs
Tumuaki (Principal)
Welcome from the Head Students
Tyrone Bell
Alice Barrett