Wellington High School is a state, co-educational, non-uniform, secondary school in the heart of Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. The school has welcomed international students for 40 years and was recognised with the New Zealand Education Exporter of the Year Award in 2004.
It offers a wide range of courses and opportunities to try new experiences and produces independent, resilient young people able to accept responsibility. Diversity is celebrated and difference is normal. Wellington High School began in 1886 as Wellington College of Design.
Prime Minister Robert Stout instructed the founding principal Arthur Dewhurt Riley to develop a school where bright children could stay at school until they were 17 or 18, a dynamic school which would modify its course and methods whenever necessary and not just drill children for examinations.
Today the school continues to lead the way in co-education developing independent, self-managing, resilient learners, prepared for the challenges they will face and confident in their ability to go on learning for the rest of their lives.
The community
Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand; it is at the southern tip of the North Island giving easy access to the rest of the country. Wellington is a small city of 350,000 people, clustered around a beautiful harbour. Known as the ‘Coolest Little Capital’ it has the national museum, government, two universities, many excellent cafes and restaurants, a thriving arts scene and a beautiful wharf area.