Kerry Blackmore

Trident High School, Whakatane, New Zealand

Trident High School opened in 1973. It is a Year 9-13 co-educational, state secondary school which draws its students from the urban and rural areas of Whakatane. In the past ten years the roll has risen from less than 600 to 1224 in 2010 (March 1 MOE Return). The ethnic make-up is 43% Maori and 56% European. The school now attracts more than 60% of the students from Whakatane Intermediate and draws students from as far away as Matata in the west and Waimana and Opotiki in the east (these students are balloted in under the legislation related to enrolment schemes (in 2001 the Ministry of Education directed an Enrolment Scheme for the school which has limited "out-of-zone" numbers but not overall roll growth). Rather than a significant population increase in the area the growth indicates our high standing in the community; the perception is that we are doing the right things and doing them well. The main industries in the area are forestry, farming and tourism based all capitalising on the conducive climate and environment in general. The students are friendly and natural being from country backgrounds. Approximately one third of our students bus to school.