School

Amuri Area School is a rural state co-educational school on School Road in Culverden, 98km north-west of Christchurch on the Lewis Pass Highway. It is 30 minutes drive from Hanmer Springs resort and 60 minutes drive from Christchurch.
The school's catchment area is from the Hurunui River in the south to the Waiau River in the north, Lowry Peaks in the east and Culverden range/Leslie Hills to the west. The school is one of 34 truly rural Area Schools in New Zealand providing education for students from year 0 to year 13 and currently has a roll of 268 students made up of 116 Year 1-6 and 152 Year 7-13.
Schools in Hanmer Springs (Year 1-8), Waiau (Years 1-6) and Rotherham (Years 1-6) provide primary education in these areas and students generally come to Amuri for their senior years.

History

Originally established as Culverden Primary in 1896, the school converted to a District High School in 1960, and then became an Area School in 1977.

Houses/Whanau

Three house or whanau groups - Caverhill, Hamilton, and Mitchell (names of early European explorers and settlers in the Amuri region) encourage and promote school spirit and the opportunity for closer relationships between students at varying levels. Sporting, cultural and academic competitions promote co-operation and enhance achievement.

Form Groups

In the senior school (years 7-13) students start each day at form time where twelve vertically arranged groups meet with their form teacher to receive the daily notices, prepare for forthcoming events and monitor progress at school. Each house or whanau has four form classes and generally students remain in their form groups for their years in the senior school.
Students in the junior school (years 1-6) have their home-room teacher as their form teacher.
 

Facilities

The school has computer network links to all rooms and all students have access to the Internet. Video Conferencing equipment enables students to participate "on-line" with other schools and institutions. Amuri Area School is a participant in the Cantatech cluster which joins 11 other schools in delivering and receiving distance education. Two electronic interactive white boards are used in the school to enhance delivery of the curriculumn.

Library

Amuri area School has an onsite community library that is home to a large range of books. This facility is a great asset for the school and is used by all students for research or reading. Students are issued with a library card when enrolling at the school. The library is used by the rural community and also acts as a Service Centre and Information centre for the Hurunui District Council. It is open all year and the daily hours are 9.00-12.30pm and 1.05pm-5.00pm Monday to Friday.

Gymnasium

The school has a full size gymnasium with basketball court, changing rooms and attached community room facilities. Built with funding assistance from the local community, both are available for hire. The community room has cooking equipment and makes a great venue for small group meetings, (up to 50).

Squash Courts

The courts are located next to the school Gymnasium on the school grounds. There are two separate courts which the school has full access to. There is a squash club that runs during the year.
For more details please contact the school office.

Windy Point

Windy point is an Outdoor centre that offers bunk room accommodation (up to 30 people) for school camps and private individuals/organisations. It is situated approximately 65km northwest of Culverden on the Lewis Pass highway, is part of the Lake Sumner forest Park, and provides excellent tramping opportunities, especially as it is at the start of the Hope-Kiwi tramping track. Windy Point is well known for its 'Holy S*** Rock' that provides an abseiling highlight from many school camps. Kayaking, orienteering and other river-based activities are a feature at Windy point.

Bookings for Windy Point may be made by contacting the school office. The current hire rates are $10.00 per night per person.