Mana College is a small school with big plans! A caring and nurturing environment enables us to support, grow and prepare tomorrow’s citizens, champions and leaders for a successful future. For 60 years we have produced young men and women who are strong, comfortable in their own skin, culturally aware and able to make intelligent decisions in an ever-changing world.

The school name and motto ‘Akona te mahi pai’ was gifted by Ngati Toa and translates to

‘Learn to do the good thing’.

Our vision and school strategic plan acknowledges the critical factors for student achievement in secondary school including:

• High expectations

• Demonstrating pride

• Meaningful achievement ASPIRE

• Clear and purposeful pathways.

Secondary school is a critical time for young people and families; it is so important to prepare your child for a bright future.  Mana College offers a stimulating environment, a wide range of curricular and co-curricular experiences and subjects taught by highly qualified staff.

Effective relationships between staff, students and families are critical to our success so that young people come to school curious and leave inspired to be the best version they can be.  At Mana College each child who enrols at the school will develop a learning plan with their Learning Advisor.  This plan is individually crafted to support your child's literacy, numeracy and learning and career pathways throughout their time at the college. 

Each Advisor is responsible for 10-12 students which allows more opportunity for personal advice and guidance.  This teacher remains with the student through their time at school.

The Mana College school curriculum emphasizes place based learning and engages junior students in the local context of Porirua West, Takapuwahia and local resources within the area as a reference point to their learning.  The purpose of this curriculum is to prepare learners for 21st century learning, particularly around the New Zealand curriculum principles including high expectations, learning to learn, cultural diversity, community engagement, the Treaty of Waitangi, inclusion, coherence and a focus for the future.

The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) is New Zealand's national school leaver qualification.  A national priority is that Level 2 NCEA is seen as a minimum qualification for school leavers, with Level 3 necessary for university based courses.

This is a Year 9-10 combined class, which is marae based and uses key elements of tuakana-teina, curriculum integration and whānau involvement and support.  Students in this programme report how connected they feel about their school experience, “Joining E Tipu e Rea has given me a clear view of what Te Ao Māori is all about”, “All of us are family and family is everything, that’s what I love about the whānau unit.”

Our junior Sports Academies complement our Year 9 & 10 curriculum, blending fitness, wellbeing, integrity, conditioning and mentoring.

These Academies are run by Tu Umaga-Marshall and supported by ex-students such as Jacob Ellison and Lisa Bishop.

The college offers over 20 codes within the sports programme including athletics, futsal, badminton, volleyball, basketball, tennis, rugby, soccer, netball, hockey, squash, ki o rahi, waka ama, touch rugby, orienteering and outdoor education.

Mana College has a proud history of success at both regional and national level, and a high participation rate among the student body.  A significant number of alumni have continued from Mana College to become successful sportsmen and women at amateur and professional levels, including All Blacks TJ Perenara, Rodney So'oialo and Tamati Ellison, Māori All Black, Jacob Ellison, Tall Black Jordan Ngatai, golfer Michael Campbell, Black Stick Lisa Bishop and basketballer Leone Patterson.

Our college also provides an excellent Services Academy; Te Whare Ako, a special needs facility; and Te Whare Hauora, a health and well-being centre which hosts a counsellor, a doctor, a nurse, a social worker, a physiotherapist and whānau support.

At Mana College we are committed to providing the highest quality teaching and learning that enables your child's dreams to become a reality.  Our staff is a team of dedicated professionals focused on the success and aspirations of all our learners.

Each family who enrols their child at Mana College is invited to an interview with the Principal.  At this interview, the child's learning, experiences, strengths and dreams for the future are captured in preparation for the start of their schooling.  From this meeting their timetable, Learning Advisory and class are organised by the Dean in preparation for the best start at College.

Contact us now on 04 237 5424.