School bags are being packed, lunchboxes unearthed, and alarm clocks reluctantly reset as Upper Clutha students prepare to enter the 2026 school year.

From the Upper Clutha’s smallest school - Makarora School, with just 13 students - to the largest - Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC), with a roll of 1,330, schools are getting ready to reopen their doors over the next week.

Roll numbers show modest growth in some schools, with several entering 2026 with slightly larger rolls than they began last year. 

At MAC, the roll has increased by 10 students, with new enrolments spread across all year levels rather than concentrated solely in year seven. 

The school has just celebrated strong provisional NCEA results for 2025.

Read more: MAC performs strongly in NCEA

In 2026, MAC aims to maintain consistently strong NCEA results while strengthening its focus on student wellbeing, principal Nicola Jacobsen said.

Te Kura o Take Kārara is also starting the year with a growing roll. The school will begin 2025 with 327 students, an increase of 10 compared to the same time last year, principal Jodie Howard said.

At Wānaka Primary School, principal Rob Rush - entering his second year in the role - said the school expects to start the year with 460 students across 20 classrooms, three fewer than in 2025.

Holy Family Catholic School will begin the year with approximately 200 students, principal Jane Rush said, while at Makarora School, the roll has increased by two students to 13.

MAC’s new students will step through the gates first, starting tomorrow (Friday January 30) before the rest of the student body returns on Monday. 

As for primary schools, the majority will begin on Tuesday (February 3), aside from Makarora School, which will welcome back students the following Monday (February 9).

Tarras School was approached for comment.

PHOTO: Wānaka App