See all schools in Western Heights, Rotorua 3015
Western Heights High School
High School · State · Rotorua
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Dont come here
Dont come here this school is not fun go to boys high or something its way better
Students in 2024 sent home without informing parents - illegal
Had a fairly good experience at Western Heights, the teachers were amazing and there are lots of opportunities.
However sports seem to be more of a priority than academics. WHHS is one of the only schools that offers the Cambridge program which is amazing, but majority of recognitions seems to be for sporting achievements and many teachers have biases towards volleyball and dance students.
My main issue was with the Principal. I graduated 2 years ago and was in the year group that started at the same time as the current principal. We found that he does not seem to care for students as much as the other teachers and other principals.
One example of something that he did which has stuck with me and is the main reason I am writing this review is canceling spirit week when we were year 13. Spirit week is a senior tradition that students look forward to since year 9 and multiple schools participate in. We were told that we would not to participate in prank week (extremely valid, but a completely different thing), when we turned up for first day of spirit week in our pajamas, which was the theme, we were immediately called for a meeting. The principal told us that it was unacceptable that we were participating in spirit week as it was just being used as a guise for prank week and informed us that we had to go home and get changed before we could participate in school. We were all shocked by this as it wasn't appropriately relayed to us that we would not be allowed to dress up, and no one was thinking of spirit week as the same as prank week, it's more an opportunity for the graduating class to have some fun and bond with our peers and teachers before we leave. Every single yr 13 except for maybe 10 was sent home.
This is where the biggest issue comes in. No parents were informed of this decision, and many students were still under the age of 18, so the principal BANNED A BUNCH OF MINORS FROM ATTENDING SCHOOL WITHOUT INFORMING THEIR PARENTS. Many people had no way of getting home and had to pile into the cars of students who could drive (some of which were only on their restricted) just to get home, due to the principal illegally sending them home without informing their guardians. If something had happened to any of those students their parents wouldnt have known where they were and I find this extremely dangerous.
All in all it was a fairly decent schooling experience, but the actions of the principal are concerning and I wouldn't be surprised if he did similar things in the future.
However sports seem to be more of a priority than academics. WHHS is one of the only schools that offers the Cambridge program which is amazing, but majority of recognitions seems to be for sporting achievements and many teachers have biases towards volleyball and dance students.
My main issue was with the Principal. I graduated 2 years ago and was in the year group that started at the same time as the current principal. We found that he does not seem to care for students as much as the other teachers and other principals.
One example of something that he did which has stuck with me and is the main reason I am writing this review is canceling spirit week when we were year 13. Spirit week is a senior tradition that students look forward to since year 9 and multiple schools participate in. We were told that we would not to participate in prank week (extremely valid, but a completely different thing), when we turned up for first day of spirit week in our pajamas, which was the theme, we were immediately called for a meeting. The principal told us that it was unacceptable that we were participating in spirit week as it was just being used as a guise for prank week and informed us that we had to go home and get changed before we could participate in school. We were all shocked by this as it wasn't appropriately relayed to us that we would not be allowed to dress up, and no one was thinking of spirit week as the same as prank week, it's more an opportunity for the graduating class to have some fun and bond with our peers and teachers before we leave. Every single yr 13 except for maybe 10 was sent home.
This is where the biggest issue comes in. No parents were informed of this decision, and many students were still under the age of 18, so the principal BANNED A BUNCH OF MINORS FROM ATTENDING SCHOOL WITHOUT INFORMING THEIR PARENTS. Many people had no way of getting home and had to pile into the cars of students who could drive (some of which were only on their restricted) just to get home, due to the principal illegally sending them home without informing their guardians. If something had happened to any of those students their parents wouldnt have known where they were and I find this extremely dangerous.
All in all it was a fairly decent schooling experience, but the actions of the principal are concerning and I wouldn't be surprised if he did similar things in the future.
Review
Good school improving sport coming back to life and volleyball
Worst High School in New Zealand
Bad Student and hostile class as well
only go here if you’re the “standard” human
This school works for some kids who can easily fit into the system, the teachers are heavy on favouritism and easily give up on kids who struggle on fitting in. when it comes to mental health they care very little about it and even invalidate it, which makes learning difficult and not a safe environment. the education is only good if the teacher likes you or if you have no learning difficulties as they do not take the time to help nor understand students with issues. i find it unfair that the teens education is based on their social status.
Not good
The school isn’t aware on how to deal with the issues it faces… instead of wondering why children are leaving classes and school early, the school chooses to send out a teacher 20 minutes prior to the bell to prevent anyone leaving rather than finding the very prominent issue within itself. Every single teacher is different, and the school often prioritises uniform items such as socks and thermals over class time. From experience, I’ve spent 2 hours in a classroom in one day sitting instead of studying due to the colour of my socks. Education is okay if you can deal with the school long enough.
High school
Just a student trying to get through
review
Such a horrible place, fights almost everyday would not recommend, but the sports side of things is amazing
fsociety
Was boring until i had every camera in the school for 2 yrs
send your kids to john paul college
better than boys high for education but lots of undesirables
not for the students
i left a well mannered , organised school too attend whhs and may i say i am disgusted i did not last long due to how rubbish the school is
the teachers and students are so disrespectful , the principal is good but he profits millions for a school that should be shut down .
slack at communication with students , poor disiplinary actions
almost like a jail for rangatahi i say rangitahi because this school is racist towards there coloured or more derelected students .
the teachers and students are so disrespectful , the principal is good but he profits millions for a school that should be shut down .
slack at communication with students , poor disiplinary actions
almost like a jail for rangatahi i say rangitahi because this school is racist towards there coloured or more derelected students .
Bad bad
Bad bad bad bad bad bad
Shit school
If you want the teachers to make fun of your sexual abuse if you want to get half of your stuff stolen if you want students try to set each other on fire come to this school
Not on my list...
Went to this school as a kid. Tons of bullies and teacher favoritism going on. Dean's at the time were useless, no help. If you weren't good looking. You struggled. If you weren't smart. You struggled. Only a few teachers went the distance to help students without judgement.
Awesome place
Awesome school awesome awesome teachers, only downside is a small proportion of the population which misbehaves and generally brings down the culture of the school
Poor assistant
Don’t really enjoy this school, teachers don’t do anything if your getting bullied
Idknkcka
If you’re white, the school is perfect for you. But if you’re any other ethnicity... it’s hard. Real hard...
Review
I don't know what to say
Great Teachers, Students arent well behaved.
The teachers are great! But the students, not so much. WHHS has some pretty bad behaved kids in it, but not much bullying happens, just disobedience to the teachers and the dress code, and overall just the Principle in general.
Love this school
Very epic very cool very epix and it kinda sounds pretty cool and it doesn't have a lot of potential for the middle class
70 Old Quarry Road, 3015, Rotorua
James Bracefield
07 349 5940
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