Waitaki Girls' High School


Waitaki Girls' High School is a state high school for girls situated in Oamaru, on the East coast of New Zealand. It was founded in 1887 on the initiative of local parliamentarians, Samuel Shrimski and Thomas William Hislop, and presently has a roll of just over 400 girls from the ages of 13 to 18. It also has a boarding hostel which houses approximately 50 girls, including international students and tutors.
The school uses a house system with four houses and accompanying colours: Burn, Ferguson, Gibson and Wilson. These houses were named after the first four principals of the school: Margaret Burn, Catherine Ferguson, Mary Gibson and Jessie Wilson. Competitions between the houses, such as athletics, swimming, choir and drama, are held annually.
The school motto is Dulcius Ex Arduis, which in Latin means "satisfaction from hard work".

Curriculum

Waitaki Girls' High School uses National Certificate of Educational Achievement based assessments. A strong emphasis is placed on gaining good marks, with "Excellence Awards" being awarded annually to girls who achieve high marks in their internal and external assessments.
Subjects taught include English, mathematics, sciences, languages, classics, computer studies, Geography, History, Physical Education and Art.

Notable alumnae