Strive To Excel

Nau Mai, Haere Mai

Welcome

Lawrence Area School is a school where every student is known. We offer the full breadth of academic, sporting and cultural opportunities to each and every student. The school is at the centre of a small but strong community in Central Otago.

Having undergone a recent rebuild the school facilities are first class. This includes access to the Tuapeka ‘Splash’ swimming pool – a state of the art swimming complex. Plans for the near future include a gymnasium upgrade, new astro turf and funding for landscaping across the expansive school site.

Lawrence graduates are well-rounded citizens with a strong sense of community. We are very proud of each and every student and totally focused on individual excellence. The school motto – Strive to Excel – is lived every day at Lawrence.

We welcome you to explore our website and warmly welcome new enrolments to our slice of paradise.

Dave Bagwell – Tumuaki/Principal

Term 1

02nd February 2026
02nd April 2026

Term 2

20th April 2026
03rd July 2026

Term 3

20th July 2026
25th September 2026

Term 4

12th October 2026
11th December 2026

Lawrence-Area-School-Teamwork-NZ

What is an Area School?

Area Schools are composite schools, mainly rural and isolated, that provide a ‘seamless’ education for New Entrant to Year 13 students.

Area Schools do have special advantages, particularly in the flexibility of programmes and range of resources we are able to provide. Our smallness of size and mix of age groups encourages a sense of responsibility and “family”. Small class sizes enable more personal teaching and students do not become lost in the system.