Botany Downs Secondary College

Botany Downs Secondary College is a state coeducational secondary school located in the Auckland, New Zealand, suburb of East Tamaki. The school opened at the beginning of the 2004 school year to serve new residential development in the eastern Auckland area. Serving Years 9 to 13, the school has a roll of approximately 1743 students.[1]

Botany Downs Secondary College (BDSC)
Address
575 Chapel Road
East Tamaki
Auckland 2016
New Zealand
Coordinates36.934370°S 174.915984°E / -36.934370; 174.915984
Information
Funding typeState (not integrated)
Motto"Maximising achievement through intellectual growth"
OpenedJanuary 2004 (January 2004)
Ministry of Education Institution no.6930
PrincipalKaren Brinsden
Years offered9–13
GenderCoeducational
School roll1743[1] (April 2023)
Socio-economic decile9Q[2]
Websitewww.bdsc.school.nz
Botany Downs Secondary College at night.

History

Botany Downs Secondary College was gazetted by Education Minister Trevor Mallard on 12 November 2001, with the working name Howick South Secondary School.[3] The school opened in January 2004, initially taking Year 9 students only. The remaining school years opened as the 2004 Year 9 students moved through, with the school fully opening at the beginning of 2008.

The logo design uses the circles of the Beta and Delta characters from the Greek alphabet.

  • The inner circle represents the student.
  • The outer circle represents the nurturing and educating by the teacher.
  • The overlapping circles echo the traditional role of the educator and the student.
  • The outer shape links the circles, envelops the whole school community and is pointing towards the future.

Education Review Office (ERO)

Last visited by ERO in August 2016. The next review is due in 4–5 years (2020-2021).

ERO found that "Students at Botany Downs Secondary School are highly engaged in learning and value the rich opportunities they have to grow personally and academically. Leaders and teachers work in partnership with students to learn, think and inquire. NCEA qualifications success in the college is sustained at very high levels because of the strength in the NZC focused school vision."[4]

Whanau system

The Whanau system in BDSC is designed to create a 'family' atmosphere; a 'home away from home'. It encourages a sense of a community based learning environment. There were previously 4 Whanau, with the late addition of Britten and Koru.

  • Koru Whanau (Green)
  • John Britten Whanau (Black)
  • Spirit Whanau (Purple)
  • Discovery Whanau (Blue)
  • Endeavour Whanau (Yellow)
  • Sir Peter Blake Whanau (Red)

Notable alumni

References
  1. "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  2. "Decile Change 2014 to 2015 for State & State Integrated Schools". Ministry of Education. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  3. Mallard, Trevor (29 November 2001). "Establishment of a New School". New Zealand Gazette. New Zealand Government. 2001 (161): 3935.
  4. "Botany Downs Secondary College Education Review". Education Review Office. August 2016.
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