At SWIS, students have the chance to explore their interests and extend their passions through a wide range of extracurricular activities — sporting, academic, cultural, and arts-based. There’s something for everyone — and every student has the opportunity to get involved, give things a go, and grow their skills and confidence along the way.
Get active, have fun, and be part of a team! At SWIS, students have plenty of opportunities to stay active, develop teamwork, and represent the school with pride, in addition to core curriculum sports.
Students can join seasonal teams in water polo, netball, basketball, floorball, touch rugby, and more. Practices and games are held after school or on weekends. Registration costs are shared on HERO each season.
We are proud members of the Wellington Regional Intermediate Schools Sports Association (WRISSA), which offers a wide range of sporting opportunities, from athletics and volleyball to Ki-o-rahi and aerobics.
Students can register their interest in the sports SWIS participates in, with many teams selected following open trials. Please note that some events may involve a transportation cost to and from the venue.
The AIMS Games is a national competition in Tauranga for intermediate students. Past participants have competed in netball, football, swimming, mountain biking, and rock climbing. Parent support and fundraising are required to attend, with full details shared closer to the event.
At SWIS, we are proud to offer two vibrant cultural groups that meet once a week during school hours. Both groups regularly perform at community events, including the opening of the new Wakefield Hospital buildings and inter-intermediate cultural festivals.
All students are welcome to join, and we celebrate the diversity and talents of our ākonga. These groups also provide opportunities for Year 8 students to take on leadership roles. Leaders are selected by the teachers running the groups and are expected to be positive role models within PolyClub, Kapa Haka, and their classes.
For more information:
Kapa Haka – Rebecca Amos: rebecca.amos@swis.school.nz
PolyClub – Stephen Moli: stephen.moli@swis.school.nz
A highlight of our enrichment programme, our various SWIS Bands offer talented students the chance to perform and compete. Auditions are held for students who wish to join, and participants should already be capable musicians or singers, as there isn’t time to teach beginners. Bands also have the exciting opportunity to take part in Rockquest later in the year.
For more information, please contact Aaron Kling at aaron.kling@swis.school.nz.
The Wearable Arts (WOW) programme is an exciting opportunity for Year 8 students to showcase their creativity and design skills. Students continue developing garments they began in Year 7, working towards a stunning performance at the St James Theatre.
Each year, the competition features five changing categories, encouraging students to innovate and express themselves through original designs. Garments must include at least 70% recycled materials, promoting sustainability and creative reuse.
Students take part in Term 1 Enrichment sessions every Friday afternoon, along with additional lunchtime workshops for extra support. The experience culminates in a professional photo shoot and an evening parade at the St James Theatre, where students present their creations before a live audience.
Past judges have included Dame Suzie Moncrieff and Heather Palmer, making this a truly special event in the SWIS calendar.
There is a $10 entry fee per student.
For more information, contact Christine Sangster at christine.sangster@swis.school.nz.
Year 7 and 8 students can join the Toi Group to design and create their own garments for the biennial Artsplash performances. Students can reshow previous creations or make something entirely new. Performances are held in September, and Term 2 enrichment sessions give students time to develop their designs and construct their garments.
PEAK (Pride in Extending and Accessing Knowledge) is SWIS’s programme for students who want to go beyond the classroom, explore new pathways, and develop fresh skills through a wide range of activities designed to challenge and inspire.
These programmes aim to:
Challenge and extend students academically
Tap into individual interests and passions
Build on existing knowledge and skills
Provide opportunities to try new activities that may lead to lifelong interests
Sign-ups and meeting details are shared in the daily notices. Students can self-nominate or be invited by teachers or friends. Activities with costs (except ICAS exams) can be paid via HERO.
Future Problem Solving (FPS) – whole year: Develops teamwork, creativity, and futuristic thinking through competitions such as Global International Problem-Solving, Scenario Writing, and Community Problem Solving.
World Scholars’ Cup: Teams of three engage in debates, cooperative writing, quizzes, and team challenges.
Tournament of Minds – Term 1 & 2: Encourages teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving through long-term and spontaneous challenges.
Ethics Olympiad: Teams explore ethical issues, debate solutions, and develop critical thinking skills.
Children’s University – whole year: Encourages learning beyond school, tracking hours through a Passport to Learning, with recognition at graduation ceremonies.
EPro8: Hands-on engineering and construction challenges, including regional finals.
Maths Competitions: Otago Maths Competition and Mathswell provide problem-solving challenges for keen mathematicians.
Kids’ Lit Quiz & Books Alive: Activities for keen readers, including competitions and author workshops.
Spell It Out: Inter-intermediate spelling competition with individual and team challenges.
Chess Competitions: Local and regional tournaments for students of all abilities run by ChessPower. Contact Miss Wendy (wendy.collis@swis.school.nz)