He’s just got news his school’s results last year for university entrance (UE) — the highest academic qualification a student can gain — were the second highest in the country for public co-ed schools.
With 79% of students attaining UE — that’s 180 students out of 228 — Wakatipu High was ahead of 204 other public co-eds and just one percentage point behind Wellington’s Onslow College.
The pass rate for boys was 75%, putting the school behind only Wellington College among boys-only public schools.
And 83% of girls passed UE, putting Wakatipu High sixth among girls-only public schools.
"We certainly look at the private schools, both in Otago and Christchurch, and we’re certainly right up there too," Nathan says.
He adds their pass rate’s also 10% above the ‘band’ set for schools of similar socioeconomic status.
He’s "over the moon in terms of our students’ achievement".
"As a public school that takes everybody kind of into the doors that comes their way, it’s great, great results for those students.
"As I say to the staff and to the students, the percentages are not just the percentages.
"Behind those are individuals, and the impact of them having that university qualification, irrespective of whether they choose to go to university or not, just leaves as many doors open as possible, and can be life-changing for students, families and communities."
Nathan’s also learned the school’s among the top five to benefit from scholarships to Otago University this year — "our graduates got close to $900,000 in scholarships for their future studies".
Lifting school attendance
In response to Associate Education Minister David Seymour’s campaign to increase school attendance, Oded Nathan says "it’s definitely an area we’re looking to continue to improve".
Currently, he says 17% of students only attend 80 to 90% of the time.
"We’re trying to really increase that group that’s attending 80% to at least 90% — if you’re attending 80% of the time, you’re missing one day a week."
Nathan says he encourages parents to take their children away during school holidays rather than term time.
Engaging former students
Wakatipu High’s starting an alumni foundation for former students.
"We’re excited to get that started and get that ball rolling," principal Oded Nathan says.
An offshoot of the Wakatipu High School Foundation, the alumni foundation’s employed a coordinator, Ange Gibson, who’s already visited Christchurch’s St Margaret’s College, Christ’s College and St Andrew’s College to get some ideas about how their alumni organisations work.
Nathan says the foundation’s byline is ‘united by our past, we invest in our future’.
"We’re going to start connecting with alumni and get their feedback around what they’d like from an alumni foundation — like opportunities for networking, for news and achievements from our alumni, making sure they’re informed of current school events and activities, and just opportunities to volunteer and give back to Wakatipu High School."
The former Queenstown District High School’s first students enrolled in 1937, when the roll was just 23.
