Waihi School opens to girls

An exclusive South Canterbury school will accept girls for the first time in its 113-year history in 2021.

Waihi School at Winchester is the only independent preparatory school in the lower South Island. Established in 1907, the school currently takes in boys from years 4 to 8.

Headmaster Allan Short said the decision to allow girls, as both day girls and boarders, from term one next year was a move that had been in discussion for years.

‘‘Whenever I have discussions with parents, there has always been the discussion about why the Waihi School environment and experience can’t be offered to their daughters,’’ Short said.

‘‘We are very excited to be offering the same unique opportunities to girls as well as boys from next year. For some time, Waihi has been considering moving to co-education in order to mirror the more inclusive and diverse community in which we all live.

‘‘I’m really excited about this new chapter.’’

Short said the school roll over the past decade had been ‘‘as strong as it’s ever been’’, with roll numbers frequently getting close to 100 pupils. Currently, the school has 94 boys on its roll.

He said there would be a cap of about 120 students, as the school aims to keep its class sizes to a maximum of 20.

Short said ‘‘in welcoming girls to the school, Waihi’s values, ethos and aims will remain the same as they ever have been’’.

‘‘The wonderfully happy, creative family atmosphere that has been the essence of Waihi for more than 100 years will remain so.’’

Short said although it has been an all-boys school since its establishment, there had been six previous female pupils, who were all daughters of the thenheadmasters.

‘‘But this move will offer a broad, holistic education, offering the best in the academic field and a plethora of sporting opportunities.’’

One of the school’s boarding houses, which was built in 2011, had the opportunity to be extended, which Short said they would look at to provide infrastructure for girls.

Chairman of the Waihi Trust Board, John Rolleston, said the school was ‘‘hugely looking forward to having girls enjoy being part of our Waihi family’’.

‘‘We are sure the entire Waihi community will see our move to welcome girls as a significant opportunity for all families to enjoy what Waihi has to offer, and to give both boys and girls an education for life.’’

Rolleston said they were unsure how many girls would likely enrol in term one next year.

‘‘I suspect it would be a slow start, but that’s not a bad thing.

‘‘I’m an old boy of the school. It’s about wanting to give the same opportunity to our daughters that we do for our sons.’’

Rolleston said with women in high-powered positions across all fields, it made sense to offer girls such a ‘‘wonderful educational opportunity’’.

Fees for 2020 were set at $8090 per term for boarding students made up of a tuition fee of $5060 and boarding fee $3030. Day boy fees are $5060 per term.