Botany Downs Secondary College



Botany Downs Secondary College is a state coeducational secondary school located in East Tamaki, a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. The school opened in 2004 as a result of new residential development in the eastern Auckland area. Serving Years 9 to 13, the school has a roll of approximately students.

History
Botany Downs Secondary College was announced with a notice published in the New Zealand Gazette by Education Minister Trevor Mallard on 12 November 2001, with the working name Howick South Secondary School. The school opened in January 2004, initially taking Year 9 students only. The remaining school years opened as the 2004 Year 9 students moved through, with the school fully opening at the beginning of 2008.

Logo
The logo design uses the circles of the Beta and Delta characters from the Greek alphabet.
 * The inner circle represents the student.
 * The outer circle represents the nurturing and educating by the teacher.
 * The overlapping circles echo the traditional role of the educator and the student.
 * The outer shape links the circles, envelops the whole school community and is pointing towards the future.

Whanau system
The Whanau system in BDSC contains 4 Whanau, with the later addition of Britten and Koru.


 * Koru Whanau (Green)
 * John Britten Whanau (Black)
 * Spirit Whanau (Purple)
 * Discovery Whanau (Blue)
 * Endeavour Whanau (Yellow)
 * Sir Peter Blake Whanau (Red)

Demographics
In the 2023 Census, 54.5% of students ethnically identified as Asian, and 35.5% as European/Pākehā. Other major ethnic groups include Pacific (8.2%), Māori (5.5%), Middle Eastern, Latin American, African (MELAA) (4.8%), and other (0.8%). International students were included but separated, with 4.3% of students having been affiliated with an international status. The roll data presented is based on roll returns from the Ministry of Education as of 1 July 2023, reporting over 1,734 students, including domestic students who are affiliated with a single or multiple ethnic groups and international students.

Notable alumni

 * Tafito Lafaele – rugby union player
 * Ben Nee-Nee – rugby union player