Staff at the school's aviation studies programme, after months of negotiations, have secured the JT8D engine from Air New Zealand's Christchurch workshop free of charge.
Its market value in the United States is estimated at US$545,000.
It is due to arrive in Balclutha late today.
It will be shifted to Owaka on Monday, to take pride of place on the school grounds; where students and others who use video-conferencing technology can see it up close.
The school uses eLearning technology to provide tuition to 30 senior Catlins pupils and another 60 around New Zealand.
It is New Zealand's first provider of aviation studies through eLearning, and 3D technology plays a key part in the course; which is designed to prepare students for a career in aviation and give a head start towards Civil Aviation Authority and industry qualifications.
Bill Moeller, from the Christchurch Engine Centre, became interested in supporting the Catlins programme after hearing about it at an aviation industry conference last year.
Catlins deputy principal and eLearning director Allan Jon said securing the engine was a coup for the school, and illustrated how well regarded the programme had become nationwide.
The jet engine will be a permanent static display and cannot run.
It was used on a commercial passenger jet and its new Owaka base will enable students to get a rare glimpse at the inner workings of the engine.
The school launched its aviation studies programme because it perceived a shortage of young people moving into the aviation industry.
Jet-propelled
•The JT8D engine at a glance:Introduced by manufacturers Pratt and Whitney in 1964.
•More than 14,000 produced.
•As well as commercial jet planes, the engines are used by military in countries as diverse as Sweden and Japan.
Catlins Area School
Offers the following aviation programmes: Aviation Studies, Your Aviation Career, The Theory of Flight, Your Place in Aviation.
