Live to LEARN, LEARN to Live

Inclusion
We celebrate the inclusion of all key stakeholders: students, staff, community, local iwi, board of trustees, to create the new and exciting future for Waiau Area School. We acknowledge benefits of forming a positive working relationship with local iwi and the commitment we need to make to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Our Environment

Waiau Area School is a Year 1 to 13 co-educational, composite Area School located in Western Southland; 81km west of Invercargill. It is the only Area School in the Southland Region.

Andrew Pardoe-Burnett is the Principal.

2026 Stationery Lists (ALL Classes)

Learning By Doing

At Waiau Area School we work hard to ensure that learning happens for all students, that learning is accurately measured, that evidence is gathered, and most importantly that students and their parents know where they are going next in their learning. Students relish the chance to experience success. It helps establish a desire to learn and builds important learning skills like persistence.

The staff of Waiau Area School have developed curriculum schemes from Year 1-13 that reflect the diverse needs of our students.

What's happening at Waiau Area School?

Upcoming Events in October

Mon 12

Term 4 Begins

12 Oct 2026
Monday 12 October 2026 - Term 4 begins.

Fri 16

WAS Pet Day

16 Oct 2026

Wed 28

Rm4 Camp Queenstown

28 Oct 2026 - 30 Oct 2026

Wed 28

Room 4 Camp in Queenstown

28 Oct 2026 - 30 Oct 2026
Camp Notices have been sent home with Room 4 students.

Latest Notices

Funky Sock Friday!

24 Sep 2026

Last day of the term tomorrow and it's Funky Sock Friday!!

Farewell Assembly – Andrew & Rachel Pardoe-Burnett

22 Sep 2026

WAS Community, Parents & Caregivers

We warmly invite our Waiau Area School community, parents and caregivers to join us for a special Farewell Assembly to celebrate and thank Andrew and Rachel Pardoe-Burnett as they prepare to leave Tuatapere and begin their next chapter in Hokitika.

Andrew has been an important part of our school community as Principal, and Rachel has made a valued contribution to our school as a Teacher Aide. Together, they have supported our students, staff and wider school community in many ways, and we would love the opportunity for everyone to come together to acknowledge their contribution and wish them well for the future.

📅 Date: Thursday, 24 September 2026
⏰ Time: 2pm
📍 Venue: Waiau Area School Hall

We hope you can join us as we farewell Andrew and Rachel, share some memories, and wish them both all the very best for their move to Hokitika.

Everyone is welcome. We look forward to seeing you there!

Pet Day 2026 Information!

22 Sep 2026

Everything you need to know about WAS Pet Day 2026 coming up on Friday October 16, 2026. (End of the first week back at school for Term 4)

Lost the Pet Show Registration Form? Please call into the office and we will give you another one!