Taupō schools not immune to staff shortages
Taupō is not immune to the national teacher shortage, says the Taupō Principal’s Association, but local schools are working hard to hire the best teachers for their students.
Students are welcomed to Taupō-nui-a-Tia College for the first term of 2025.
“Recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers is an ongoing challenge for schools all over the country, and all our schools are relentless in our focus to attract and support the best educators for our rangatahi,” said Tauhara College principal Ben Hancock on behalf of the two Taupō based colleges and Taupō Intermediate School.
Of the local schools seeking staff the intermediate appears to be on the hunt for the most.
The January edition of the Aotearoa New Zealand Education Gazette which lists vacancies in the education sector had several classroom teacher vacancies for Taupō Intermediate, as well as two team leader positions, while Waipahihi Primary was advertising for a deputy principal.
Hilltop and Whakamaru Primary were also advertising positions to cover a year’s leave, either maternity or study.
Like other parts of Aotearoa, Taupō was experiencing strong growth, Hancock said in his statement.
“This is reflected in solid enrolment numbers across our schools for 2025. It’s an exciting time for our community, and we’re looking forward to welcoming our students back for another great year…
“The Taupō Principals’ Association is actively working together to explore long-term, sustainable solutions to ensure our schools remain well-staffed and well-supported. Despite the challenges, we remain committed to providing the best possible education for our students.”
New staff at Tauhara College include teachers of music, maths, science and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths) while Taupō-nui-a-Tia College principal Ben Claxon said the school was looking forward to the contributions new teachers of music, English, vocational pathways, social science and STEAM would make to the school and “in helping our students to thrive, achieve academic excellence, and empowering them to make positive contributions in our community and beyond.”