Totara School
633 Fortification Road, Alma · Otago & Southland
Active MoE intervention — limited statutory manager
A limited statutory manager has been appointed to Totara School as of 2026-04-01. NZ Gazette notice
In summary
Totara School's 2023 ERO review found strong and equitable learning outcomes in literacy and mathematics, alongside an inclusive environment supporting diverse learners. The teaching team actively develops culturally responsive practices. The school currently has a limited statutory manager intervention in place. Overall composite score: 77.
Best suited for
Students aged 5-11 in Alma looking for a state-funded setting.
Is Totara School a good school?
Totara School is currently under MoE intervention — a limited statutory manager has been appointed. The school's day-to-day teaching continues; the intervention addresses governance or operational concerns identified by the Ministry. Read the NZ Gazette notice for details.
Strengths from the latest ERO report
- Excellent and equitable learning outcomes for students in literacy and mathematics
- An inclusive and welcoming environment that strengthens learning outcomes for diverse learners
- A teaching team which actively seeks opportunities to grow their culturally responsive teaching practices
Summary derived from ERO reports + audited financials + MoE records. Every claim links to its source — see data transparency at the bottom of this page.
Latest ERO review
2023-08-31 · Shelley Booysen, ERO
- Excellent and equitable learning outcomes for students in literacy and mathematics
- An inclusive and welcoming environment that strengthens learning outcomes for diverse learners
- A teaching team which actively seeks opportunities to grow their culturally responsive teaching practices
- Leaders are developing a curriculum that better reflects Aotearoa New Zealand's bi-cultural heritage
- Teachers are undertaking professional learning programmes to strengthen their cultural capabilities
"leaders are developing a curriculum that better reflects Aotearoa New Zealand's bi-cultural heritage"
Composite score across reviews
2 ERO reviews on file, 2019–2023. Click a point to read that review.
Discipline (age-standardised, per 1,000 students)
Stand-down = sent home temporarily. Suspension = formal investigation. Exclusion = removed from school. National averages shown for comparison.
Stand-downs · 2024
99.4
3 this year · NZ avg ~37
Suspensions · 2024
0.0
· NZ avg ~5
Exclusions · 2024
0.0
· NZ avg ~1.5
Government funding
Crown funding only (school operations + teacher salaries + property). Excludes locally-raised funds, international fees and trading income — those are in the audited financial report above.
Total Crown funding · 2022
$0.75M
Per-student funding · 2022
$44,393
2018
$0.5M
2019
$0.4M
2020
$0.5M
2021
$0.8M
2022
$0.8M
Roll by year level
July 2025 roll return.
- Year 01 4
- Year 02 4
- Year 03 2
- Year 04 1
- Year 05 4
- Year 06 3
- Year 07 2
Roll by ethnicity
Share of total roll. Students who identify with multiple ethnicities are counted once.
- European/Pākehā 88.2%
- Māori 23.5%
- Asian 11.8%
Location
633 Fortification Road, Alma. Nearby schools marked in grey.
Map tiles © OpenStreetMap, © CARTO
Schools nearby
Within 15km, sorted by distance. Add any to compare with Totara School.
Weston School
Full Primary · 4.9km · 259 roll
35
Fenwick School
Contributing · 5.3km · 294 roll
43
St Joseph's School (Oamaru)
Full Primary · 6.5km · 139 roll
60
Te Pākihi o Maru
Contributing · 6.6km · 132 roll
58
Waitaki Girls' High School
Secondary (Year 9-15) · 7km · 391 roll
60
Maheno School
Full Primary · 7.2km · 92 roll
91
Frequently asked
Is Totara School a good school?
Totara School is currently under MoE intervention — a limited statutory manager has been appointed. The school's day-to-day teaching continues; the intervention addresses governance or operational concerns identified by the Ministry. Read the NZ Gazette notice for details.
What does the latest ERO review say?
ERO's 2023-08 review identified 5 key findings. Excellent and equitable learning outcomes for students in literacy and mathematics
How do I enrol my child at Totara School?
Contact the school directly on 03-4345940, email office@totara.school.nz, or visit www.totara.school.nz. For state schools, check your home address against the school's enrolment zone — some schools are in-zone-only.
What are the fees?
Totara School is a state school. There is no tuition fee for domestic students; voluntary donations may be requested.
What is the roll size?
Totara School has 17 students, with an EQI of 450 (mid-range socio-economic context).
When was the school last reviewed by ERO?
The Education Review Office last reviewed Totara School in 2023-08, signed by Shelley Booysen. 3 ERO reports are on file in our archive.
Data transparency
Every fact on this page links to its source. We never publish a claim without provenance — read our methodology for the full rules.
Sourced from
- ero.govt.nz
- gazette.govt.nz
- schoolsdata.co.nz
- crimestats.co.nz