MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
5 December 2024

North West College: A New Era in Education for Local Families

North West College, a new charter school offering innovative, fee-free education, will open in Term 1, 2025, marking a significant milestone for families in the region. The school, designed to cater for students from Years 7 to 13, will initially welcome Year 7, 8, and 9 students, providing small classes capped at just 20 students to ensure personalised, focused learning.

Meeting Local Needs

The establishment of North West College addresses a long-standing community demand for a local secondary school option. With many families currently needing to send their children long distances to schools, the new school will provide much-needed relief, reducing travel times and creating a closer connection to the local area.

A Balanced, Innovative Curriculum

North West College is built on the belief that students thrive when academic excellence is paired with creative opportunities. The curriculum includes a strong focus on core academic subjects alongside creative programmes such as drama, music, digital design, culinary arts, and more. This balance ensures students not only achieve academically but also develop their talents and build confidence for the future.

Experienced Leadership

The school is founded by two of New Zealand’s most respected educators, Sherida Penman Walters and Ken Pemberton.
Sherida was the founding principal of Pinehurst School, where she spent 27 years creating one of the country’s leading private schools. She has extensive experience in developing innovative education programmes and fostering student success.

Ken, the former principal of Murrays Bay School, brings decades of leadership experience, including a focus on community engagement and safety initiatives during his tenure as Chairperson of the Safer North Community Trust Board.

Together, Sherida and Ken bring unparalleled expertise and a commitment to creating a school that meets the needs of local families.

Temporary Campus and Long-Term Vision

The school will begin operations at a temporary campus on Lincoln Road, Henderson, while plans for a purpose-built campus in the North West/Rodney area are underway. This ensures the school can serve the community immediately, with a clear vision for growth and development in the future.
Initially, the school will operate with three year levels (7, 8, and 9) and grow with its students, eventually accommodating Years 7–13 with two classes per year level. Open Days are scheduled for January, offering families the chance to meet the founders, explore the campus, and learn about the school’s plans.

Enrolments Now Open

Enrolments for 2025 are now open, with limited spaces available due to the small class sizes. Families are encouraged to submit an expression of interest via the school’s website, nwcollege.school.nz.

To provide more information and answer any questions, North West College will host Question and Answer Evenings in December at Te Manawa Library, 11 Kohuhu Lane, Massey. These sessions are an opportunity for families to meet the founders and learn more about the school’s vision, curriculum, and enrolment process.

Further events, including Open Days, will be held in January.

“Our vision for North West College is to create a place where students can achieve academically while discovering their creative potential. This is a school designed to inspire, and we’re thrilled to offer this opportunity to local families.”

Sherida Penman Walters

ENDS