Maori Education Trust Scholarships

The Māori Education Trust 2019 Scholarship Programme is now open and offers scholarships to Māori secondary school students who meet the respective scholarship’s criteria. The 2019 Secondary Scholarship Programme is made up of the following scholarships:

Year 9
• Ti Maru Māori Trust Secondary Boarding Scholarship
• Rose Hellaby Scholarship

Year 9 – 13
• Sister Anne Henry Scholarship
• Edward Carlton Holmes Memorial Scholarship

Year 12 – 13
• RJ Graham Scholarship

Year 13
• VW & LM Rosier Scholarship

Students can apply online or download an application form from www.maorieducation.org.nz. The closing date for applications is 4.30pm Friday 1 March 2019. For more information regarding these scholarships please click here. 

Science Perfect Competition

Congratulations to William Kilty and Brooke Winiata who took part in the Science Perfect Competition. Both students did very well to gain Bronze Awards, placing them in the top 10% of the 90,000 students who entered the worldwide competition.

Science and Engineering Competition

Well done to the Year 9 and 10 students who competed in the University of Newcastle Science and Engineering Competition hosted by Massey University and the Pūhoro Māori STEM Academy.

The students were divided into groups and tasked with completing various engineering construction challenges, such as bridge building and constructing a catapult. Each design was then judged, with points awarded for many different design and production aspects. The day culminated in showing the bridge constructions. Each bridge was tested to see if it could withstand a trolley crossing it, and then weights were added to the trolley. Awatapu’s bridge team was Cumorah Judd, Erana Manu, Cassidy Ututaonga and Xavier Hintz. They were the last to test their construction. Prior to this, the maximum load had been the trolley with one added weight, but our students' bridge held firm with the trolley and five added weights. This was a fantastic result for a full day's work.

In the end, our combined team of 20 Awatapu students, four PNBHS students, and five Te Kura Kaupapa Māori - Te Rito students were declared champions of the whole event; an excellent result for our hard-working students. Well done!

AWD Futsal and Bocce

Students from the 400 Block recently competed at the AWD Futsal and Bocce event. Schools from around the region competed at the event, creating an enjoyable competition for students to participate and catch up with friends. Congratulations to the following students who received Awatapu Sports Awards for AWD Futsal:
• Malachi Oldridge (Most Improved Player)
• Mitchell Brewer (Most Outstanding Player)
• Daniel Hawkes (Most Valuable Player)

Homestay Families Wanted

The international department is always looking for more families to host international students. We have several opportunities for families to host; short term (from 7 days to 10 weeks) or long term (3+ months). Homestay families receive a weekly payment of $250, paid fortnightly in advance. If you are interested in becoming a homestay family, please contact the International Department by phoning 06 356 4817 ext 8883 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Wordwork Challenge

Congratulations to Lucy Scrivener who was awarded 1st= at the Manawatu Secondary Schools Woodwork Competition. Her work was highly praised by the presenter Leilani Krans-Tunnage from the TVNZ design show 'Design Junkies' and owner of Design Pilot in Wellington. Lucy’s success in this competition is a testament to her hard work in Wood Materials this year.

Lucy was recently interviewed by the Manawatu Standard to talk about her success. Click here to read the article.