Paraparaumu College – A Caring Community of Great Learners 

Paraparaumu College is a caring community of great learners located at Paraparaumu on Wellington’s Kāpiti Coast.  The majority of us live in Paraparaumu, Paraparaumu Beach, Otaihanga, Waikanae, Pekapeka and Te Horo.

We are a co-educational secondary school for students from Years 9 to 13.  For the purposes of Ministry of Education funding Paraparaumu College is graded within decile 8, but our community is drawn from the whole range of Kāpiti’s socio-economic groups, reflecting New Zealand as a whole.

Of our nearly 1400 students, approximately 222 identify as Māori.  Some have connections to Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai, the tangata whenua of the area.  This Strategic Plan outlines our work developing partnerships and approaches that reflect New Zealand’s cultural diversity and the unique position of Māori culture within Kāpiti and Aotearoa.  Our practice is informed by the kaupapa of the “Kia Eke Panuku – Building on Success” programme.  All our students have the opportunity to learn about tikanga Māori (Māori culture) and Te Reo Māori (Māori language).

Our aspirations for Paraparaumu College’s learners (both students and staff) are summarised through our “Great Learner” values.  As a caring community, we aspire to be collaborative and active learners, respectful in our relationships with each other and effective self-managers.

The ‘PC Way’ outlines our approach to curriculum, the principles on which it is based and the practices we employ.  Its emphasis is on personalising learning around student interest and need.

The Teacher-Led Innovation Fund project, led by Paraparaumu College staff, in partnership with Kenakena School, is a forum for developing our understanding the learning of students both at Paraparaumu College and prior to their arrival at the College.

Paraparaumu College is a “Positive Behaviour for Learning” School.  Our focus through this Strategic Plan is reinforcing and extending our relational approaches.

Paraparaumu College has a strong record of student academic achievement, success in sport and the performing arts.  Several of our teachers have been recognised for their leadership and teaching with national and international awards.

As a Wellington Loop school, we partner with other schools in our work transforming learning at Paraparaumu College in the digital age.  We are also committed to extending and enhancing our relationships with other Kāpiti schools for the benefit of all learners in our area.