Our Facilities
Pukehinau
Pukehinau is our new, 3600 square metre, two-storey teaching block. It features 25 specialist learning spaces predominantly for science and technology.
This state-of-the-art facility opened in 2024 and is home to dedicated teaching spaces, including numerous science laboratories and design and visual communications (DVC) facilities. In DVC, students learn about three-dimensional design, in practical and theoretical contexts. The building itself is an inspiration to our DVC students who learn that design is about imagining and creating new and beneficial ideas, and spaces, to improve lives.
Pukehinau is how we imagine our Burnside High School estate in the years to come. Construction on another 14 classrooms commenced in September 2025 and is due for completion at the end of 2026.
School Library / Whare Pukapuka
Our large, well-resourced library provides students with a welcoming space to study and relax. Our team of helpful and knowledgeable librarians are available onsite to assist students from 7.15am to 5pm each weekday.
Resources for recreational reading, academic study or general knowledge and particular interests are consistently and carefully selected for young adults. Photocopying and printing services are also available and as you would expect our online services and resources can be accessed at any time.
The library has a place for everyone – for studying, relaxing with a good book or meeting with friends.
Swimming Pool
Here at Burnside we are fortunate to have an outdoor 25 metre heated swimming pool on site.
The pool opened in December 1962 and was courtesy of the very active and decisive Parent Teachers Association who determined this was the top priority for the school on their formation in 1960.
The pool is in regular use throughout the summer season. We host our school swimming sports on site and also use the pool for myriad other water based activities including kayaking and water polo.
Aurora Centre
The Aurora Centre, on the corner of Greers Road and Memorial Avenue, is our community and cultural hub. The Centre accommodates each of our year groups or divisions for assemblies but also provides a performance stage for our school cultural and artistic events and concerts.
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. The centre also serves as a space for community-based events and gatherings and helps foster a strong connection to Burnside High School.
To hire the Aurora Centre for a show or community event please view the information available.
Sports facilities and fields
We are fortunate at Burnside High School to have been allocated 28 acres when the school was founded in 1960. This equates to a 113,312 square metre estate. A large proportion of this is allocated to our upper, lower and Memorial Avenue sporting grounds and fields.
Athletics track
On our lower fields we have a full size athletics track, where we run our athletics each year and our physical education classes undertake a number of their assessments and outdoor pursuits.
Various sports fields
Alongside the lower fields we have six netball and tennis courts, which are also available for community use. Our upper fields are home to our newly reinstated cricket pitch. We also have an artificial turf for our hockey players that also doubles as a further four tennis courts. This is an adaptable all weather surface for our students, regardless of their chosen sport.
Gymnasiums
We have two large gymnasiums on site, the Hunter and Cross Gymnasiums. The Hunter Gymnasium is home to our International Sporting Honours Hall of Fame, which documents students and staff, past and present, that have achieved international honours. It also boasts a large indoor climbing wall and houses our school gym.
Dance hall
Burnside also has a thriving creative arts programme, which is an integral part of our curriculum, fostering innovation, critical thinking and collaboration. Our Dance Academy programme has a dedicated Dance Hall on site for students to pursue their dreams of local, regional and national accolades.
Rakipaoa
Rakipaoa is our new home of English and Social Sciences. Rakipaoa, meaning Smokey Sky, opened in Term 3 of 2026.
This fourteen classroom teaching block (four funded by our School Board) is the replacement for the 24 classrooms that were lost in 2024, as the previous blocks, I and J, did not meet earthquake building standards.
