Welcoming New Families, Staying True to Our Vision

Message from the Founders:

Sherida Penman Walters and Ken Pemberton

Term 2 has started very positively here at North West College. It’s been wonderful to see our school community growing, and we are on track to reach 50 students enrolled with us by the end of the term.

Interest in enrolments continues to grow, with many families wanting to learn more about what makes North West College unique. I am currently meeting with 3–5 new families each day from Monday to Thursday mornings, giving them a tour of the school in action and an opportunity to discuss how we might best support their children’s learning journey. These visits are not only for this year’s intake but also for future years – particularly for students starting in Year 7 and Year 9 in 2026. It’s heartening to see families already planning ahead and choosing to be part of our community. Our youngest applicant so far is currently in Year 1 and will join us in 2031!

Our Advisory Board, which plays a vital role in guiding the direction and development of the school, currently has four members: myself, Ken Pemberton, Warren Patterson, and Sue West. The Board has met twice this year, and we are grateful for their valuable insight, expertise, and encouragement as we continue to grow North West College.

We were also incredibly touched by the letters of support we have received for our application to become a charter school with distinguishing characteristics. These letters have been truly heart-warming, and they confirm that the vision we have for North West College is shared by many in our community. It is a privilege to know that the aspirations we have for our students are recognised and supported by you.

At North West College, we remain deeply committed to keeping our class sizes small. We believe this is a key factor in providing high-quality, individualised education. As an example, we have already split our Year 9 students into two classes, ensuring that no class has more than 20 students. While this commitment does place additional pressure on our resources, we know it is the right decision for our learners.

We are actively exploring sources of additional funding to support our small-class model and the ongoing development of the school. If you have any suggestions, connections, or ideas that might assist us in securing additional resources, we would be truly grateful.

Thank you for being part of the North West College community and for your continued support. Together, we are creating something special for our students, and we are excited for what lies ahead.

Ngā mihi nui

Sherida and Ken