Botany Downs Secondary College
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| Botany Downs Secondary College (BDSC) | |
|---|---|
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| Address | |
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| Coordinates | 36°56′04″S 174°54′58″E / 36.934370°S 174.915984°E |
| Information | |
| Funding type | State (not integrated) |
| Motto | "Maximising achievement through intellectual growth" |
| Opened | January 2004 |
| Ministry of Education Institution no. | 6930 |
| Principal | Karen Brinsden |
| Years offered | 9–13 |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| School roll | 1,896[1] (February 2024) |
| Socio-economic decile | 9Q[2] |
| Website | www |
Botany Downs Secondary College is a state coeducational secondary school located in East Tamaki, a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. The school opened in 2004 as a result of new residential development in the eastern Auckland area. Serving Years 9 to 13, the school has a roll of approximately 1,896 students.[1]
History[edit]
Botany Downs Secondary College was gazetted by Education Minister Trevor Mallard on 12 November 2001, with the working name Howick South Secondary School.[3] The school opened in January 2004, initially taking Year 9 students only. The remaining school years opened as the 2004 Year 9 students moved through, with the school fully opening at the beginning of 2008.
Logo[edit]
The logo design uses the circles of the Beta and Delta characters from the Greek alphabet.
- The inner circle represents the student.
- The outer circle represents the nurturing and educating by the teacher.
- The overlapping circles echo the traditional role of the educator and the student.
- The outer shape links the circles, envelops the whole school community and is pointing towards the future.[citation needed]
Education Review Office (ERO)[edit]
Last visited by ERO in August 2016. The next review is due in 4–5 years (2020-2021).
ERO found that "Students at Botany Downs Secondary School are highly engaged in learning and value the rich opportunities they have to grow personally and academically. Leaders and teachers work in partnership with students to learn, think and inquire. NCEA qualifications success in the college is sustained at very high levels because of the strength in the NZC focused school vision."[4]
Whanau system[edit]
The Whanau system in BDSC is designed to create a 'family' atmosphere; a 'home away from home'. It encourages a sense of a community based learning environment. There were previously 4 Whanau, with the late addition of Britten and Koru.
- Koru Whanau (Green)
- John Britten Whanau (Black)
- Spirit Whanau (Purple)
- Discovery Whanau (Blue)
- Endeavour Whanau (Yellow)
- Sir Peter Blake Whanau (Red)
Demographics[edit]
| Funding year
level |
Māori | Pacific | Asian | MELAA | Other | European/
Pākehā |
International
students |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 09 | 22 | 27 | 200 | 19 | 6 | 121 | 4 | 349 |
| Year 10 | 17 | 29 | 195 | 13 | 4 | 125 | 17 | 356 |
| Year 11 | 25 | 40 | 216 | 21 | 3 | 167 | 28 | 428 |
| Year 12 | 20 | 24 | 178 | 13 | 2 | 114 | 16 | 331 |
| Year 13+ | 12 | 23 | 156 | 17 | 0 | 89 | 10 | 270 |
| Total | 96 | 143 | 945 | 83 | 15 | 616 | 75 | 1,734 |
In the 2023 Census, 54.5% of students ethnically identified as Asian, and 35.5% as European/Pākehā. Other major ethnic groups include Pacific (8.2%), Māori (5.5%), Middle Eastern, Latin American, African (MELAA) (4.8%), and Other (0.8%). International students were included, but separated with 4.3% of students having been affiliated with an international status.[5] The roll data presented is based on roll returns from the Ministry of Education as of July 1, 2023, reporting over 1,734 students including domestic students who affiliated with a single or multiple ethnic groups and international students.[6]
Notable alumni[edit]
- Tafito Lafaele – rugby union player
- Ben Nee-Nee – rugby union player
References[edit]
- ^ a b "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ "Decile Change 2014 to 2015 for State & State Integrated Schools". Ministry of Education. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
- ^ Mallard, Trevor (29 November 2001). "Establishment of a New School". New Zealand Gazette. 2001 (161). New Zealand Government: 3935.
- ^ "Botany Downs Secondary College Education Review". Education Review Office. August 2016.
- ^ Counts, Education. "Ministry of Education - Education Counts". www.educationcounts.govt.nz. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
- ^ Counts, Education. "Ministry of Education - Education Counts". www.educationcounts.govt.nz. Retrieved 8 May 2024.