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Welcome to Hedgehope School

Hedgehope School is a full rural primary school with a passion to inspire students from Years 1-8. We are located in Central Southland on the Winton-Hedgehope Highway, a 20-minute drive from Mataura, Winton or Invercargill. Our beautiful rural setting is located not far from the Community Hall, Rural Fire Brigade and Golf Course.  At Hedgehope School, learning is grounded in opportunity, nature and community, guided by our core REACH values — Respect, Endurance, Adventure, Compassion and Happiness. These values shape who we are, how we learn, and how we support one another every day.

We are proud of our outstanding school grounds, which provide rich opportunities for exploration and growth. Our environment includes an orchard, chickens, a thriving plant nursery, hot house, tennis courts, a huge school field, a mountain bike track, a giant sandpit, a newly refurbished playground, workshop and our much-loved Treemendous adventure playground. These spaces are living classrooms where students show Adventure in their learning, Endurance in challenges, and Happiness through active, engaged play.

Inside the classroom, learning is future-focused and well supported. Our senior students benefit from 1-to-1 Apple MacBooks, encouraging creativity, collaboration and independence. Our highly experienced staff lead learning with Respect and Compassion, ensuring every child is known, valued and supported to succeed. 

Hedgehope School is strengthened by a caring and connected community. Our active PTA fundraises to support student needs and enrich learning opportunities, while our passionate Board of Trustees provides strong governance and strategic direction, ensuring all students are supported to REACH their full potential.

We are proud to be a top-tier Enviroschool, holding Green-Gold status — the highest level. Through our Forest School programme on Channel Road, students develop Respect and Compassion for the environment by predator trapping and environmental restoration, and they bring this real-world learning back into the classroom.

At Hedgehope School, children are encouraged to REACH for greatness — growing as confident, capable learners in a school where values, nature and community come together.

Throughout the year, the students excel in athletics, swimming, touch rugby, cross country, netball, speech competitions and thrive at school camps, pet day, ski trips, winter sports days, science fair, technology challenges, and much more.

I look forward to getting to know your whole family and supporting you to enjoy our school and community.  Please contact me or any of the staff at school, we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.


Kind regards,

Daniel Withington

Principal

 

What's happening at Hedgehope School?

Upcoming Events in April

Tue 21

Tui Class Camp Omaui

21 Apr 2026 - 24 Apr 2026

Wed 22

Kereru Class Camp Omaui

22 Apr 2026 - 24 Apr 2026

Mon 27

Anzac Day Observed

27 Apr 2026

Tue 28

BOT Meeting @ 7pm

28 Apr 2026

Tue 28

Year 7/8 Epro 8 at 2h30 Inter-School Challenge @ JHC Junior College

28 Apr 2026

Tue 28

Year 5/6 Epro 8 at 10h30 Inter-School Challenge @ JHC Junior College

28 Apr 2026

Latest Notices

Piwakawaka Week 1 Roundup
24 Apr 2026

Piwakawaka Class has had a busy and meaningful week as we explored the importance of ANZAC Day. The children showed great interest and respect while learning about this significant event, and we were so impressed with the beautiful artwork created in response. A special highlight was Georgia sharing a framed certificate from her Great-Grandad, who served in the war as a tanker driver—such a wonderful and personal connection to our learning.

We have also successfully kickstarted our Oral Language Rotations again this term. It has been fantastic to see the children’s growing confidence when speaking in front of others. George shared an impressive picture of him after shooting his first hare, Elliott brought along some very cool farming books, and Ellie-May kept us all guessing with her mystery item—a spoon that proved almost impossible to identify!

Adding to our learning, we even baked some delicious ANZAC biscuits together. The children loved being involved in the process, and it was a great way to connect our classroom learning to a traditional part of ANZAC history.

This week, we have placed a strong focus on re-establishing routines. While it has taken a few days to settle back into the structure, it has been great to see everyone getting back on track and responding positively to the consistency.

We’re looking forward to another great week ahead!

POPCORN!! Fundraiser
22 Apr 2026

Good Afternoon Parents / Caregivers,

 

I just want to let you know that the popcorn for the fundraiser has arrived and you will be able to collect your orders from the office.

 

Have a great day!

 

Kind Regards

Juanine

Camp Timetable
21 Apr 2026

Kia ora whānau,

With camp taking place tomorrow, please find attached the timetable outlining our daily activities. It’s shaping up to be an exciting and action-packed few days for our students.

We are really looking forward to this opportunity for students to build independence, teamwork, and confidence.

Ngā mihi,

Rosanne

Kereru-Camp-Timetable-1.pdf

Bus Updates
20 Apr 2026

Dear Parents of Bus Students,

 

With the Tui and Kereru camp happening this week, there will be fewer passengers on the bus, so the drop-off time will be earlier. Sarah is expecting a 5-minute earlier time on Tuesday,  and Wednesday through to  Friday, a 10-minute earlier drop off. 

 

Thanks in advance,
Daniel

Updated Packing List Coming Home Today
20 Apr 2026

Hi all,

 

The excitement is high in Tui with us gearing up to be heading away tomorrow morning at approximately 9am. Today we have sent home another copy of the Packing List. You will note that there is an extra section with some equipment Adventure Southland has asked us to have. These are for Tui only activities. 

  • A set of Thermals (Top and Bottom) and/or a wetsuit. This is to keep students warm while on the Kayaks.
  • An extra pair of closed toe shoes that are likely to get wet while Kayaking.
  • A Helmet for Mountain Biking on Day 1

If you don't have the above we will have spares but not enough for a full classroom.

 

Thanks,

 

Jess

Supporters and Sponsors

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Andrew Patterson - PGG Wrightson Real Estate OfficeMax KIDOGO
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