OUR SCHOOL

He Tīwai Mātauranga, Normal Intermediate School is a decile 9 school situated in the suburb of Merivale, Christchurch with a roll of about 550, Year 7 and Year 8 students.

The school was established in 1948, initially for boys only and from 1953 for girls and boys. Land for the school was donated by Sir Heaton Rhodes after which the school was named.

Classes are grouped into 6 houses: Kōwhai, Raukawa, Hīnau, Kōtukutuku, Amoka, and Tūrutu. The names of the houses all have links to our native flora and fauna. There are 3, Year 7 houses and 3, Year 8 houses with 3 classes in each house making a total of 18 classes of about 30 students.

We have 7 specialists who teach, food and fibre technology, hard materials technology, digital technology, visual art, performing arts, science, and Te Reo Māori. In addition, there are dedicated Learning Support and ESOL teachers.

As a Normal School, Heaton has an important role in supporting pre-service teacher training providers, the College of Education at the University of Canterbury and the New Zealand Graduate School of Education (NZGSE).