At SWIS, you will be in a mixed Year 7 and Year 8 class and stay with the same homeroom teacher for two years. This helps you build a strong relationship with your teacher, who supports your learning and wellbeing. Your class placement is carefully planned using information from your previous school to support your academic, social, and behavioural needs.

Your day starts at 8:45am in your homeroom, where your teacher takes the roll and shares daily notices about events and opportunities.

You will learn through an integrated programme with your homeroom teacher, studying:

• English
• Mathematics
• Social Studies
• Health
• Physical Education (PE)

During the week, you also attend specialist classes (Semi-Spec) with expert teachers, including:

• Science
• Te Ao Māori and New Zealand Histories
• Technology (digital, food, textiles, hard materials)
• The Arts (music, visual arts, drama, film)

There are two breaks each day—morning tea and lunch—when students often take part in sports or group activities.

The school day finishes at 3:00pm.

Students also take part in enrichment learning, where they can explore their interests and try new things.

• Monday afternoons: Students choose sports and languages. Language options may include French, Japanese, Mandarin, and Te Reo Māori. Sports can include basketball, football, table tennis, and more.
• Friday afternoons: Students choose from a range of interest-based subjects such as coding, dance, gardening, theatre sports, and music.

See our example timetable here.

Throughout the year there are opportunities to experience learning beyond the four walls of the classroom.

EOTC is a popular Term 4 programme, giving students the opportunity to be involved in a range of activities in and around Wellington.

Previous options have included:

• Learning to surf or sail
• Tramping the Southern Walkways
• Visiting Te Papa, Wellington Zoo, Zealandia, Staglands
• Cycling, ice skating and 10-pin bowling trips
• Foodie experiences around Wellington
• Checking out local Artworks around the city, including galleries

SWIS also participates in regional and national sports events as a member of the Wellington Regional Intermediate School Sports Association (WRISSA).

A highlight of the year is our annual two-night school camp. Held at the beginning of the year, camp helps students build friendships, connect with teachers, and enjoy a range of fun activities.

We plan our camp around the school’s mission:

CHALLENGE | To work together to overcome challenges.

ENGAGE | To build relationships with peers and teachers.

INQUIRE | To think critically about the best way to achieve a goal.

INSPIRE | To inspire active learners

The Camp Gear List is provided so students have adequate equipment to enjoy a great camp.

Due to the Vulnerable Children’s Act all adult helpers intending to stay over at any of our camps need to be police vetted. See more details and download the form here.