Education
Parents love to see their children excel in friendly and supportive environments, and know that choosing the right educational environment is essential to positive student development and well being. We have a wide range of schools from large to small town or rural, plus colleges to suit every student learning style.
ECE & Pre-schools
Smaller communities mean more care and happy safe children. The many early childhood options include daycare, play centres, kindergartens, Kohanga Reo and Montessori, and unlike large cities, pre-school options are local and within easy walking distance of most residential areas in Ashburton.
Primary schools
With 19 primary schools located throughout the district you have plenty of choice. In these early years, it's vital to choose a school that fits exactly with your and your children's needs. From larger schools in the townships to smaller schools in the rural villages, each has something unique to offer students to encourage and foster their learning and development with a refreshing choice of environments and locations.
Secondary Schools
Ashburton has two well resourced and modern co-educational secondary schools for years 9 to 13, both of which are well recognised for their achievements and outdoor programs.
Ashburton College
Located in Ashburton town, offering an extensive range of extracurricular activity, especially in recreation and sports, Ashburton College also has an excellent music department and actively encourages development in languages, arts, crafts and manual skills. The marae and cultural group provide a strong focus and cultural context for learning. The school is well resourced and hosts a number of international exchange students as well as private foreign students.
Mount Hutt College
Located in Methven, Mount Hutt College offers comprehensive co-educational learning (Year 7 to 13) in a rural, family orientated secondary school. The school offers a renowned outdoor pursuits course to Year 13 students. Located at the base of Mount Hutt ski area, all students are encouraged to take part in the unique snow ski programme each week during the winter season.
Mount Hutt College hosts 15 to 20 international students each year as well as participating in an exchange programme with Yumegoaka Junior High School in Japan. In line with the district's biggest source of its economy, the school facilitates a successful Agriculture programme with an onsite vegetable garden, which allows students a practical, hands on approach to learning.
Trades Experience Course
Year 12 & 13 students who want to seriously explore different trades before committing to an apprenticeship can select up to 8 different industries to explore, and through the year spend time in each. This is achieved by working for 2 days each week in a practical placement, which complements the 3 days each week spent in school completing NCEA credits. Students are encouraged to build relationships with employers in order to obtain full time employment or apprenticeships at the completion of the school year.
Aoraki Polytechnic Ashburton Campus
Aoraki Polytechnic offers a wide range of subjects with National Certificates and Diplomas. The Polytechnic also works closely with local businesses to provide specific training in a business environment that complements course tuition. Study can be part time, full time, on-line or one-off specific courses. http://www.aoraki.ac.nz/
Universities
Two highly respected New Zealand universities are within an easy hour's drive of Ashburton. Each has comprehensive campuses and student accommodation and are commutable from Ashburton District.
Lincoln University, located in the rural setting of Lincoln, is a recognised leader in environmental, resource management and primary production disciplines that are unsurpassed by any other New Zealand University. Lincoln offers a fantastic fun campus in a rural setting. http://www.lincoln.ac.nz/
Canterbury University is located near the airport in Christchurch, the largest city in New Zealand's South Island. The university's modern and well-equipped facilities are spread across a spacious suburban campus, with easy access to the central city. It is well respected internationally particularly for engineering and law disciplines. http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/
