Burnside High School

Burnside High School is a successful and highly regarded school. Being one of the largest secondary schools in New Zealand affords our students a wealth of opportunities in all aspects of their learning.

Burnside High School is committed to the delivery of the New Zealand Curriculum. We are supportive of the curriculum’s stated vision, which is to educate and help develop young New Zealanders.

At Burnside we provide a safe, positive, inclusive learning environment. It is here that students gain the knowledge, skills and personal qualities to choose their pathways in life. Our diversity is our strength and a source of pride. It means that we respect, understand and celebrate the things that make each of us unique. By nurturing wellbeing and relationships, we create real connections – and the result, inevitably, is personal excellence.

1. We are the biggest high school in the newest city in New Zealand
2. We have the largest subject choice out of all South Island high schools (220 subjects offered)
3. We are situated in the largest city in the South Island
4. We are the closest high school to the largest international airport in the SI.  Only 4kms from our school – great for quick getaways.  One of two International airports used by Lufthansa during the COVID repatriation flights to Germany
5. We are a school of 88 nationalities
6. We have the largest full Symphony Orchestra in the SI with over 90 musicians
7. We offer six second languages at all year levels – Chinese Mandarin, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Te Reo Maori.
8. We have the largest International Programme outside of Auckland

• Region: Canterbury
• Co Ed Status: Co-Educational
• Roll Total: 2555
• Authority: State
• International roll: 150
• Curriculum: NCEA (NZQA)