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Our Classes Murchison, Kepler & Takitimu

At Mararoa School, we welcome learners from New Entrants through to Year 8. Our students are grouped into two or three classes, depending on roll numbers, ensuring the best possible learning environment for each age group. Each class – Murchison, Kepler and Takitimu – is thoughtfully structured with age-appropriate resources, engaging programmes, and supportive classroom spaces designed to meet the developmental needs of our students.
This flexible structure allows us to respond to our school's size while maintaining strong relationships, personalised learning, and high-quality teaching across all year levels.

Whole School Experiences

One of the many things that makes Mararoa School special is the wide variety of whole-school activities we enjoy each year — made possible through the incredible support and involvement of our parents and wider community.

As a proud rural school, we intentionally remain small so we can offer our students greater opportunity, responsibility, and authentic experiences. In addition to class camps and curriculum-based trips, our students take part in a rich programme of school-wide events including inter-house competitions, athletics training, winter sports, gym skills development, musical productions, and daily fitness programmes.

Our students are not just participants — they are active contributors to our community. They are involved in local clean-up projects along the Mararoa River, work alongside the Fiordland RSA, present at local community groups, and engage meaningfully with organisations and events throughout our district. Our size ensures that every child has the opportunity to step forward, represent the school, and build genuine connections beyond the classroom.

At Mararoa School, we are committed to providing a broad and balanced range of educational experiences. Our Year 7 & 8 students participate in a comprehensive leadership programme designed to develop confidence, responsibility and independence. This includes a variety of leadership camps and experiences, which may take them to places such as Auckland, Wellington, Deep Cove and beyond.

group of Mararoa School children using a balancing beam

What makes us stand out

At Mararoa we have excellent facilities and curriculum resources, which are well used as part of our teaching programmes.

Rural

Located at ‘the Key’ within the Te Anau Basin. The Key is the gateway to Fiordland and to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

Values

Our school Values guide us in everything we do.
Mararoa School key shaped logo Caring for myself
Mararoa School key shaped logo Caring for Others
Mararoa School key shaped logo Caring for the environment

Staff

Highly skilled, positive, enthusiastic teachers and support staff with high standards and expectations.

Indoor Learning Areas

3 attractive classrooms, well resourced and inviting library, including up to date technology with coding facilities, small group teaching room, modern first aid room with shower and modern administration and reception area.

Grounds

Spacious well sheltered landscaped grounds with garden areas, trees, a large sandpit, ‘down the bank’ native garden adventurous play area, tennis court, large playing fields, adventure playground and indoor heated swimming pool.

What makes us stand out

At Mararoa we have excellent facilities and curriculum resources, which are well used as part of our teaching programmes.

Rural

Located at ‘the Key’ within the Te Anau Basin. The Key is the gateway to Fiordland and to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

Community

Located at ‘the Key’ within the Te Anau Basin. The Key is the gateway to Fiordland and to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

Values

Our school Values guide us in everything we do.
Caring for myself
Caring for Others
Caring for the environment

Staff

Highly skilled, positive, enthusiastic teachers and support staff with high standards and expectations.

Indoor Learning Areas

3 attractive classrooms, well resourced and inviting library, including up to date technology with coding facilities, small group teaching room, modern first aid room with shower and modern administration and reception area.

Grounds

Spacious well sheltered landscaped grounds with garden areas, trees, a large sandpit, ‘down the bank’ native garden adventurous play area, tennis court, large playing fields, adventure playground and indoor heated swimming pool.

Two Mararoa School girls reading to themselves

Modern Learning in a Rural Setting

At Mararoa School, we combine the strengths of rural education with the opportunities of a modern, well-resourced learning environment.

Each classroom is equipped with up-to-date resources to support the teaching of literacy and numeracy, alongside an extensive range of materials that enrich learning across all curriculum areas. We are committed to ensuring our students have access to high-quality tools and experiences that support both strong academic foundations and wider curriculum exploration.

Our school is connected to the N4L managed network, providing safe and secure wireless internet throughout the campus. Students have access to Chromebooks, iPads, laptops, and classroom TVs to enhance teaching and learning. While we value the hands-on, practical experiences that come naturally in a rural setting, we are equally committed to ensuring our children develop the digital skills and confidence they need for the future.

We also maintain a broad and well-resourced range of sports equipment, supporting active participation, skill development, and healthy lifestyles for all students.

What Our People Say

Susan Harbutt and Mac Spence

Parents

We feel very fortunate to have our children attend/have attended Mararoa School. They have benefited from a learning culture where the teachers have very high expectations of them, where the teachers and staff genuinely care for their well being, awesome technology and facilities and multi level classrooms. Kids are encouraged to participate fully, think independently, care for themselves, others and the environment. It's a great, safe place with a very open door, approachable team.

Mike and Jan Hegan

Parents

From 2001 to 2017 we have had 3 boys go to Mararoa School. We found the schools progressive learning and nurturing atmosphere with strong values a great start for our boys. From early learning to sporting, academic and social awareness, all of our boys have commented how much they appreciated Mararoa School after they had left, with fun interaction with the teachers and the great friendships they made at Mararoa. The School was very approachable and supportive of us as parents.