Educational Institutions
Mercury Bay Area School
Study in paradise - Mercury Bay Area School is a thriving, Years 1-13 co-educational school situated in an extra-ordinary environment. Located in Whitianga, we are close to some of New Zealand’s most beautiful coastlines and backed by the primeval bush of the geologically unique Coromandel Peninsula. We capitalise on the remarkable geography of our region to extend the educational opportunities available to our students.
Coromandel
You can easily get to the beautiful Coromandel from Auckland and Hamilton.
As an Area School, Mercury Bay is one school consisting of classes from Year 1 to Year 13. The current role is 786 with 483 in the Year 7-13 section of the school. We have strong, dedicated, professional teaching staff delivering quality programmes for students of all ages. Specialist departments offer core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science, Food and Materials Technology, Social Studies, Information Technology, Visual and Performing Arts and Physical Education as well as a wide range of optional courses available as part of a Distance Learning programme
Year 12 and 13 students can also select from a range of innovative and exciting specialist courses designed to help them look beyond the classroom and prepare for their futures. The Marine Academy, Marine Studies and Outdoor Education programmes offer one and two year courses and, as places are limited, entry is by application and selection.
Our students are often multi-talented sports people and we pride ourselves on the extensive co-curricular and sporting opportunities we offer. School resources enable the students to use the local environment for activities such as canoeing, camping and tramping and we can offer a unique opportunity for our students to be recognised at national level through the Area Schools Sports Association. Extended trips to the snow fields of Mount Ruapehu, aboard the sailing ship Spirit of New Zealand, diving at the Poor Knights and participation at the World Scholar Athletic Games and Education leadership programme in Canada and the USA are just some of the activities available throughout the year.
The school welcomes applications from international students and our International Student Dean oversees all aspects of their academic and pastoral needs. Students can select subjects taught in Year 9 through to Year 13 and can access a wide range of courses leading to New Zealand public examinations and tertiary education as well as additional English tuition as part of the normal academic programme. Quality homestay accommodation and a welcoming, supportive environment offer high levels of support in compliance with the Code of Practice for International Students. Recent students have come from Japan, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Switzerland and Brazil.
