Tawa College

Tawa College, October 1965.

Tawa College opened in February 1961.

Like many New Zealand secondary schools of the era, the school was constructed to the Nelson Two-Storey standard plan, distinguished by its two-storey H-shaped classroom blocks.[3] Tawa College has three of these blocks: B block, C block, and D block.

At the September 2012 Education Review Office (ERO) review, Tawa College had 1417 students enrolled, including nine international students. Forty-six percent of students were male and 54 percent were female. Fifty-seven percent of students identified as New Zealand European (Pākehā), 16 percent identified as Māori, 14 percent as Asian, 12 percent as Pacific Islanders, and one percent as another ethnicity.[4]

Tawa College has a socio-economic decile of 8 (step P), meaning it draws its school community from areas moderately-high socioeconomic status when compared to other New Zealand schools. The school was recategorised from decile 9 (step Q) in January 2015, as part of the nationwide review of deciles following the 2013 census.[2]

The traditional colours of Tawa College are blue, red and yellow, as seen in the school uniform, sports strips and crest. The uniform skirt for the girls is a kilt made of Duncan tartan. The college has special permission from the Scottish clan, to whom the tartan belongs (as intellectual property), to use the tartan in its uniform.

The Tawa Recreation Centre (informally known as "the rec centre") is a joint venture between Tawa College and the Wellington City Council. The facility contains two gymnasiums, two sets of male and female changing rooms, a large foyer area, P.E equipment sheds, a Wellington City Council Office and reception area, P.E department offices, and a classroom on the mezzanine.

Tawa College provides a wide range of extracurricular actives, especially musical ones. Notable groups include:

• The Dawn Chorus – A 200-strong all-comers choir, nationally known for their high standard of performance.
• Blue Notes - An auditioned choir with just over 40 members. This choir, led by Isaac Stone, consistently qualifies for the Big Sing national competition, and received their first gold award in 2019.
• Acafellas – An allcomers male barbershop chorus, which has competed at a national level every year since their first entrance into the National Barbershop Competition.
• Maiden Tawa – An allcomers girls' chorus, with about 70 members. They were national barbershop champions for 6 consecutive years, up until the 2008 National Barbershop competition, in which they were awarded fourth overall.
• Amplify – Tawa College's student-run church, with roughly 90 members meeting once a week.
• Astronomy Club – Meets every Friday evening. The school has its own telescope.
• Concert Band - This band, led by Murray Cameron, has a large number of members who take on pieces from popular music or from film scores.
• Jazz Band – This band, currently led by Ben Casbolt, has a number of members who enjoy their weekly practices.
• Guitawa - A guitar group directed by Clyde Clemett with around 10 members from various skill levels. They perform mostly classical arrangements for guitars and some modern pieces for college and local concerts.

Tawa College also has many sporting groups, debating groups, and other extracurricular activities.

The school is well known for its achievements in the arts, notably singing, including several national and international barbershop quartet and chorus champions, such as the Musical Island Boys (national barbershop champions, 2004; international collegiate quartet champions, 2006; Barbershop Harmony Society International Quartet Champions, 2014).

They also have a big reputation due to their wrestling team, TCW, who have been twice national champions.

In 2009, the principal, Mr Lucas, and approximately 38 year 13 chemistry students beat the Guinness world record for the most hours of consecutive teaching with their 28-hour chemistry teach-a-thon. This was put together as a fundraiser for World Vision, and through it they raised over $3,000.[5]

Notable alumni include:

• Jerry Collins – All Blacks captain
• Sophie Devine – Women's Black Cap
• Taito Phillip Field – former Member of Parliament[6]
• Mark Gillespie – Black Cap
• Blair Hilton – national field hockey representative and 2010 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist
• Nick Leggett – fourth Mayor of Porirua
• Murray Mexted – rugby union commentator, former All Black
• Kerry Prendergast – former Mayor of Wellington
• Lee Tamahori – film director
• Louis Fenton – member of Wellington Phoenix Football Club, All Whites
• Amelia Kerr – international cricketer, granddaughter of Bruce Murray
• Tony Backhouse - musician and composer

Groups

• Musical Island Boys, 2014 Barbershop Harmony Society International Quartet Champions

• 1961–66 – Alan Mackie
• 1966–81 – Eric Flaws
• 1981–89 – Brian Walker
• 1989–2002 – Bruce Murray
• 2002–present – Murray Lucas

• Tawa College Website
• Education Review Office (ERO) reports for Tawa College