Teachers at Te Kura Whaiora ki te Tonga / Southern Health School support ākonga, whānau, families, schools and kura to ensure learning continues during illness and to help ākonga transition back to full-time education. Visit our admissions page to see if we can support your child.

Who we are

Te Kura Whaiora ki te Tonga / Southern Health School is a state special school catering to ākonga from Year 1 to 13 across Te Waipounamu / South Island, Rakiura / Stewart Island, and Rēkohu / Wharekauri / The Chatham Islands.

Who uses our services

Our services support primary and secondary school ākonga who are unwell and unable to attend school. We help ākonga stay connected to learning during their health journey and prepare them to return to full-time education when they are well enough.

How we help

We create an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) in collaboration with the ākonga’s school of enrolment, parents and relevant professionals. Teachers deliver lessons in hospitals, at home, or in our learning support centres, while maintaining regular communication with the ākonga’s school to support reintegration back into their usual learning environment.

We provide tailored learning resources and, where needed, collaborate with Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu / The NZ Correspondence School to support access to appropriate programmes.

Who can be admitted

Ākonga who are unwell (as confirmed by a qualified doctor or specialist) may be admitted if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

• have missed more than 10 consecutive school days while in hospital,
• have had 6 hospital admissions, or
• have been off school for a total of 40 days due to illness.

Ākonga remain enrolled at their regular school and are admitted to Te Kura Whaiora ki te Tonga / Southern Health School for as long as they are unwell.

Where we are

We have teachers and learning support centres in:

• Whakatū / Nelson
• Te Waiharakeke / Blenheim
• Ōtautahi / Christchurch
• Hakatere / Ashburton
• Te Tai Poutini / The West Coast
• Te Tihi-o-Maru / Timaru
• Ōamaru / Oamaru
• Ōtepoti / Dunedin
• Mata-au / Central Otago
• Waihōpai / Invercargill
• Tauwharekākaho / Rolleston

However, we provide education to ākonga wherever they are in Te Waipounamu / South Island, including hospital visits, home teaching and online lessons.