Papanui High School

06/06/2026

Congratulations Papanui High School Kimi Ora Department for their inspirational performance at Big Sing on Friday! Along with Waiatahi Choir, Papanui High School came away with the following awards:

* Outstanding First Year Choir - Kimi Ora Voices
* Outstanding Student Accompanist - Minori Naoi from Waiatahi
* Outstanding First-time Choir Director - Kimi Ora Voices
* Overall Impact Award - Waiatahi

Huge thanks to Joe Thomas, Emma Summers, Andy Walker, (Papanui High School Music Department) and all the teachers and parents who have helped so much with these wonderful young musicians!

@ The Christchurch Town Hall01:15 "Count On Me"05:15 "Ko Papanui...

28/05/2026

Here is a quick look at what is inside the latest newsletter:

🎭 PHS Arts Tour to Intermediates: Read about our creative students taking their talents on the road to inspire our future ākonga!

📈 Budget 2026: A breakdown of the latest investment in secondary education and what it means for Papanui High School.

🧠 Senior Ethics Olympiad Success: Celebrating hiranga (excellence) and outstanding critical thinking from our senior academic leaders.

🎨 Youth Week Exhibition: Our incredibly talented art students are shining bright in the local community. Check out their featured work!

💻 Technology News: Catch up on the latest progressive projects and innovations from our Tech department.

🚴 School Bike Challenge: A great update on our students keeping active, building resilience, and supporting hauora (wellbeing).

🎵 Music Department News: The latest beats, upcoming performances, and news from our dedicated music staff and students.

🌏 Adult ESOL Outing: A wonderful day of connection and cultural exchange, highlighting our Adult ESOL programme's commitment to breaking down barriers and fostering community beyond the school gate.

Vibrant Arts and Community Spirit

15/05/2026

Our latest newsletter is out!

In this edition:

OPEN NIGHT – This Thursday!
We are throwing open our doors! Come meet our staff and students, and see our vibrant learning environments in action.

On the International Track
Huge congratulations to Year 10 student Ryder Chamberlain. This June, Ryder makes his international debut competing in the final round of the Oceania Junior Cup at Queensland Raceway, Australia. We are all behind you, Ryder!

Staff in the Spotlight
Our Head of Music, Joe Thomas, is leading by example! See him take the stage as a guest soloist with Addington Brass for their upcoming concert, Echoes of Aotearoa, at The Piano later this month.

Service and Skill
We are incredibly proud of Jordyn Mason, Samuel Rosser, Arch Lyell, Maddie Hobbs, Aurora Moore, and Ella Keats for their outstanding performances at the 2026 St John New Zealand District Cadet Competitions.

Also inside, news updates from:
Kimi Ora, Sports, Technology, Careers, and more ...

Open Night, Thursday 21st May

14/05/2026

We are incredibly proud to share that our very own Head of Music, Joe Thomas, will be the featured guest soloist for Addington Brass in their upcoming concert, Echoes of Aotearoa!

Joe is a five-time National Bass Trombone champion and a powerhouse in the NZ music scene. It is a privilege for our students to learn from a musician of his calibre every day.

Catch him in action:
📅 When: Sunday, 24 May at 2:00 pm
📍 Where: The Piano, Christchurch
🎟️ Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/echoes-of-aotearoa

🎺 Guest Soloist Spotlight – Joe Thomas 🎺

Addington Brass is thrilled to welcome Joe Thomas as our guest soloist for Echoes of Aotearoa on Sunday, 24 May!

Joe is one of New Zealand’s most respected brass musicians — an outstanding trombonist, conductor, and educator. A graduate of the New Zealand School of Music, he has held principal positions with the Opus Orchestra and Royal New Zealand Air Force Band, and performed with many of Aotearoa’s leading orchestras, the Rodger Fox Big Band, and internationally renowned artists including Kurt Elling, James Morrison, and Richard O’Brien.

As a soloist, Joe is a five-time winner of the Open Bass Trombone title at the National Brass Band Championships and has appeared with ensembles across the country. Alongside his performing career, Joe is also Head of Music at Papanui High School and a passionate advocate for music education.

Audiences will have the chance to hear Joe perform several featured works with the band, including the stunning Clouds by Anthony Ritchie — a powerful and evocative work not to be missed.

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon celebrating the music and spirit of Aotearoa, with one of New Zealand’s finest brass performers.

📍 Echoes of Aotearoa
📅 Sunday 24 May at 2pm at The Piano
🎟️ https://events.humanitix.com/echoes-of-aotearoa
Bring your family and friends and enjoy a fantastic concert experience!

05/05/2026

Student Spotlight: Ryder’s International Debut!
Huge congratulations to Year 10 student Ryder Chamberlain, who is taking his motorcycle racing career to the world stage! After smashing two national lap records, Ryder is headed to Australia this June for the Oceania Junior Cup. We are so proud to see our students chasing their passions with such grit and resilience.
👉 Check out the full story here:

A Papanui High School student is about to embark on the next stage of his rapidly developing motorcycle racing career.

02/05/2026

Our latest newsletter is out now! Inside this edition:

ANZAC Day: How our school community came together to honour those who served.

Cultural Exchange: Highlights from the vibrant visit by Tangaroa College Performing Arts students.

Sports & Learning: Catch up on the latest sports results and important updates regarding our school-wide assessment framework.

Homework Support: Details on our after-school sessions which are available for all students.

Community Focus: Updates from our Adult ESOL programme and the latest news from the Kimi Ora department.

ANZAC Day Service

24/04/2026

We are so proud of our Connor. Happy tears! ❤️🖤

24/04/2026

🌺 ANZAC Day Commemorations & School Closure
As we approach ANZAC Day, Papanui High School remains committed to our value of Whanaungatanga (Community) by honouring those who served.

Papanui RSA Service:
We invite our community to join us this Saturday, 25th April, for the service held at The Papanui Club, 310 Sawyers Arms Road. Our Staff and Student Representatives will be in attendance to lay a wreath and pay our respects on behalf of the kura. Please join us at 10:00 am to stand together in remembrance.

Monday School Closure:
A reminder that school will be closed this Monday, 27th April, for the ANZAC Day public holiday observance.

We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Tuesday, where we will hold our own ANZAC commemoration at a special assembly.

Lest we forget.

21/04/2026

The Papanui ANZAC Day service at 10am this Saturday, 25th April, will be held at The Papanui Club, 310 Sawyers Arms Road.

Join us at the Papanui Club this ANZAC Day
Saturday 25th April as we come together to remember and honour.
In collaboration with the Papanui RSA, attendees are advised to gather at the rear of the Papanui Club near the Bowling Club from around 9:30am, with the march stepping off at approximately 9:45am, proceeding to the front grassed area where the service will be held.
A buffet breakfast will also be available for $20 per person. 7.30-9am.
We do recommend booking for the buffet breakfast to avoid disappointment. Call The Papanui Club on 03 359 9586
We invite the community to come together, pay their respects, and remember those who served.
Lest we forget.