One Tree Hill College

On 20 April 1977 Penrose High School’s ‘home within a school’, Whanau House, was opened by Education Minister Les Gander in keeping with Maori protocol.[4] Maori elder Eruera Kawhia Stirling gave the opening speech in Maori and the minister replied in Maori. Whanau House — described as a ‘place for people to live, learn, laugh, relax and respond and related as an extended family in the true spirit of Whanau’ — was the crowning glory of Murray Print’s principalship.

Planned in 1974, the complex initially accommodated 250 pupils between third and seventh form. While it was billed as a world first,[4] the Whanau House concept would reflect as much on European educational tradition as Maori culture. It signalled the introduction of a house system that had been a feature of English private schools ("public" in British parlance) since time immemorial. (Penrose had already operated a loose house system for its summer sports day from 1969–75, though it had never been embraced by the school proper).[4] The challenge for Print’s successor, John Rose, was to extend the Whanau House benefits across the whole school.

Whanau House became Hinau House and four other houses were established — Kowhai, Miro, Tawa and Rata. By 1979 they each had their designated commons areas and distinct identities, including house colours — Hinau (white), Kowhai (yellow), Miro (green), Tawa (blue) and Rata (red).[4]

Competition was an important part of the house system from the beginning. In 1977 the houses competed in athletics with Hinau taking first place and it held that lead when a range of non-sporting endeavours were assessed. An Interhouse Shield has been competed for most years.[4]

The number of houses was reduced from five to four (with the abolition of Rata) after 1982 because of a drop in the school roll. At this time Tawa's house colour was changed from blue to red, and Hinau from white to purple.[4] The house system, as controversial as it was challenging, came to an end in the late 1990s and Penrose reverted to a more traditional class format. Classes were organised on a house system in 1999 but from 2000 the house system applied to sports competition only, until 2008 when it was reinvented with the $15 million property upgrade. The whanau system is now extremely strong at the college is fundamental to the college's many successes since 2008.

Between 2006 and 2009, $15 million was spent on redevelopment — upgrading the college's buildings, facilities and computer network. The upgrade was aimed to 'modernise the school and ensure that students have access to the very best educational facilities'.[5]

The name change of Penrose High School to One Tree Hill College took place on 21 July 2008 after extensive consultation with parents, past pupils and the college's wider community. The name was changed as the college re-invented itself in all aspects.[6] The college was officially reopened and rededicated on 13 March 2009 by John Key, New Zealand prime minister. A former student, singer Tina Cross, also took part in this ceremony.[7]

Afterwards, the college released flyers to over 25,000 homes in the surrounding area promoting the new college.

One Tree Hill College's house system, which dates from 1969, consists of four houses or whanau (Maori for family).

The whanau system fell away in 1996 but was reintroduced in 2008 and strengthened by current Principal, Nick Coughlan. [4] The whanau system now is the major underpinning pastoral care system in the college.

The name of each house is a Maori word for a New Zealand indigenous tree.

In 2009 students were placed into their respective whanau as part of a reimplementation of the houses system which the college originally pioneered.

In early 2009 each house was given a tree to plant outside its common rooms. The planting of the Tawa, Hinau, Miro and Kowhai trees outside their respective houses symbolised the beginning of a new era of education for One Tree Hill College.

The crest of the college was adopted before the college opened on 1 February 1955.[8] It was altered in 1999 when a red band was added but has otherwise remained unchanged [8] The crest depicts the summit of the former Maori pa (fortress), One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie, that overlooks the college, and symbolises the strong connection between One Tree Hill and the community.[9]

The college has its own prayer, implemented during John Rose's principalship. One Tree Hill also has its own hymn, Martin Shaw's 'Go Forth With God', which came into use during Ron Stacey's foundation principalship.[4]

The college prayer is said at the end of every assembly but the hymn is not sung regularly.

In 2012, One Tree Hill College was connected onto the ultrafast fibre broadband network. This allows the college to develop a full wireless network to allow students to utilise their own devices across the entire college.

One Tree Hill College has a significant New Zealand art collection, which was started in 1969 by the former principal Murray Print, with the aid of Wallace Crossman (head of art). The collection was originally funded by proceeds from the college 'tuckshop' (canteen) and has subsequently received gifts and donations but no public money. Over the years it expanded to include works by Gretchen Albrecht, W.A. Sutton, Colin McCahon, Patrick Hanly, Robin White, Toss Woollaston, Allen Maddox, Don Peebles and Ralph Hotere. There is also an important collection of ceramics by Len Castle. The much-loved art collection is an important part of One Tree Hill College's culture. It is managed and curated by an independent trust.[11]

A French club, Le Club Français, was formed in 1965 but the oldest of Penrose High School’s indigenous cultural groups, the Polynesian Club, was formed in 1970.[4] By 1985 it had Maori, Tongan, Samoan and Cook Island sections and by 1988 Niuean culture was also included. These sections later became independent groups. By 1993 there was also an Indian culture group. The groups played an important part in the school’s cultural life, performing a cultural/festival week which started in the mid-1970s and was held most years. By 1999 an Arabic Group and a separate Kapa Haka Group had been formed. The college now boasts cultural groups in various cultures, including a Filipino and Spanish group.[4]

One Tree Hill College provides many extracurricular opportunities for service. In 2009, the Interact Club of One Tree Hill College was founded in conjunction with the Penrose Rotary Club.[13] It gives One Tree Hill College students an opportunity to serve and give back to their local community as well as organises other service events such as the annual World Vision 40 Hour Famine, which raises money for international projects. Other service projects organised by the Interact Club include fundraising events for certain charities and organising members for annual appeals.

One Tree Hill College encourages personal development by offering students the Duke of Edinburgh's Award programme.[14] It motivates young people to become involved in a programme of voluntary and self-development activities. The award helps takes students through a potentially difficult period of schooling. It is a major international programme that is recognised by organisations around the world.

Depending on the varying ability and commitment level, there are three levels, bronze, silver and gold. Students participate out of school hours in numerous community services, physically challenging and personal skill-based activities. It is an optional extension to the existing Outdoor Education Programme of Year camps.[14]