A small rural school in Milton, Clutha, in a picturesque setting about 2km from State Highway 1. The school says it became free for every student in 2024, removing charges for stationery, lunches, fruit, transport, uniforms and camp fees, so that no family pays to take part in school.
The school's wellbeing approach is called Te Noho Tahi, a framework built into the daily life of the school rather than added on top of it. Staff have daily gatherings and supervision options. Children have whole-class connection sessions at the end of each day, small group check-ins for those who need extra support, and one-on-one time with a trusted adult. The younger children track their thoughts, feelings and kind acts on a classroom tree, where each contribution is a leaf. The school also holds food truck nights and Year 6 trekking trips.
The school is at 2 Leman Street in Milton. Our pick in Milton for a family who wants a small school with a strong wellbeing focus and no school fees.