Welcome to Burnside High School, where your journey to excellence begins.
We are a vibrant and lively school. We know that success can take many forms and all of these are valuable. Some students shine in the classroom, some on the sports field and some in the arts. Our emphasis is on delivering a broad and balanced education that ensures students can discover and follow their passion. At Burnside, you can discover where you belong, nurture your talents, and explore the endless possibilities that await. You can find your path in life at Burnside High School.
Discover Opportunities
Key Dates
Principal’s Welcome
At Burnside we strive to develop well-rounded, confident young adults who are equipped for our modern and changing world. Our school has a culture where we won’t rest until every student in our care is engaged and achieving. We believe that every student, every day, in every class deserves our very best effort and we strive to make sure that we live up to this expectation. Burnside High School is a vibrant and lively school. We know that success can take many forms and all of these are valuable. Some of you will shine in the classroom, some on the sports field and some in the arts. Our emphasis on delivering a broad and balanced education ensures that you can discover and follow your passion to experience success in any field.
Specialist Music Programme
The Specialist Music Programme (SMP) is a unique offering here at Burnside High School. Established in 1997, by an Act of Parliament, the SMP programme is a collaboration between Burnside High School, Westburn Primary School and the University of Canterbury. It exists to nurture musical talent in children and teenagers between the ages of 10 and 18. The aim of the SMP is to “provide the highest possible standard of musical education, training and opportunities for children of high musical talent and potential, in a seamless, co-ordinated programme from primary to tertiary levels.”
Aurora Centre
The Aurora Centre aims to enrich the cultural and social fabric of Christchurch by providing a versatile space for local and international artists to showcase their talents including music, theatre, dance and other performing acts. If you wish to hire the Aurora Centre for a show or community event please visit our Aurora Centre site.
We are led by our values
Bring respect Manaakitanga
Have pride Mana
Seek excellence Rangatiratanga
Latest News
World Scholar’s Cup success
Burnside students competed in multiple disciplines over the weekend on May 10-11. Over 200 students…
Exciting Overseas Arts Opportunity for 2026!
We’re thrilled to propose an unforgettable overseas learning experience for our current and future…
Burnside Students Inspired to Take Action at World Vision Youth Conference
On May 9th, five Burnside High School students attended the 2025 World Vision Youth Conference in…
Youth Parliament
Congratulations to Sam Allan and Thomas Brocherie on their selection to the Youth Parliament….
Music Roadshow
Our music department is preparing for a series of concerts which will be presented to our closest…
Guinness World Record!
Deputy head of school, Ryan Yoon, broke his own Guinness World Record for the fastest man to run a…
New Government Approach: Every Day Matters
The government has implemented a new process to help support students to regularly attend school. We…
Event: School Open Evening 2025
The Burnside High School Open Evening for prospective new students will be held on Tuesday 13 May…
Bel Canto Living Springs Camp 2025
Our Bel Canto members had a wonderful experience at the Living Springs Camp in early April….
Cleaning up our campus: students take action
The Environment Group at Burnside High School did their termly ‘Monster Litter Sweep’ at the end of…
Muddy Good Run
Burnside High School Level 2 NCEA Sports leadership students participated in the annual Muddy Good…
Students engage in the fight to towards Predator Free Aotearoa 2050
All Year 12 Biology students visited Lincoln University recently to hear from researchers about the…
