The Achievement Centre at Mangere College is the first Alternative Education (Alt-Ed) program provider embedded in a NZ High School whose aim and purpose is to provide a safe, healthy and supportive learning environment for alienated youth who are referred from the Te Hikoi Consortium and community Alt-Ed providers.  We provide ways of overcoming barriers to their learning.   In collaboration with Heads of Department, Deans and parents or whanau, we design learning plans and programmes for our students, to give them opportunities for quality education that meets them where they are at and we build from there to either facilitate a return to mainstream schooling, to other educational pathways or into employment. 

In our “alternative” approach, we also give our students opportunities for non-simulated, real-world learning, in the areas of starting and growing their own small businesses, national and international travel and youth peer-to-peer discussions and project collaborations both in school and with other students in high schools across the Pacific via Zoom or Teams platforms.

The Achievement Centre follows the O Foe E Fa (Four Paddles) model for identity in education, leadership and personal growth. This correlates well with the Fonofale and Te Whare Tapa Wha model for health and well-being. 

We encourage whakawhanaungatanga and aiga approach to student engagement and achievement.