School History

1903

The school was first sited at Waiomu and called Waiomu. The school opened with a roll of 15 students increasing to 31 by the end of the year.

1917

The school was moved to Puru, which was considered a more central location for the children living south of Puru. The school was sited on one acre of land covered in cactus. Erection of the school building was completed at a cost of 373 pounds.

1930

Before the building was divided into two classrooms, the Thornton Bay Hall was used as an extra teaching space.

The two Norfolk Pine trees were planted in 1934 as part of Arbor Day celebrations.

1958

When the wall dividing the two classrooms was taken down the senior class moved into the new classroom and the junior class was taught in a marquee for six weeks. Now there were 27 children in the senior room and 25 children in the junior room. This block has remained virtually unchanged externally until recently.
It is now used for the senior classes plus a teaching withdrawal space, resource room and toilets.

1967

The school began the year with a roll of 55. On March 4th the School Jubilee was held with many ex pupils gathering on the Saturday to celebrate.

1971

In April pupils had the first official swim in the new swimming pool. The school community had worked hard since 1968 raising money to pay for their share of the pool costs. Before the swimming lessons had taken place in the sea. 1971

1972

During the May holidays carpenters worked on the new prefab, which had just arrived. Standard 1, 2 and 3 moved into the prefab.

1976

The fourth classroom arrived on the 10th May. During the holidays Mrs Betty McMahon prepared her new room for her class. The room arrived one year after the school roll first warranted a fourth teacher and room.

1980

There was great excitement when the school became entitled to a half-sized Library. Since then the library building has been used as a classroom, remodelled for use as a staffroom, and is now being used for Administration purposes.

1981

The roll was now 89 students, which entitled the school to a Deputy Principal and a fourth classroom.

1983

Term 2 started with one extra classroom. Mr Wood’s Year 2 to Standard 1 moved in.

1985

The main school building was modernise

d. The F11 class worked in the library and the F1 to Std 4 class moved to the Te Puru Hall for the rest of the term with their teacher Mr Andrews.

1989

To increase administration space, the existing library was converted into a staffroom and the existing staffroom became the secretary’s office.

1991

A new bigger library, which also included a Reading recovery room, was built adjacent to the new staffroom.

1992

The children’s new playground was built beside the beach in the shape of a Pirate Ship. A second hand bus was also purchased at this time to transfer children from Waiomu, Ngarimu Bay and Thames.

1993

With the arrival of the 6th classroom, the buildings were realigned to form a quad in line with the new library. The area was cobblestoned and with the addition of shade cloth, was used for Assemblies. shows and a lunch area.

1994

Due to our unique location the school community worked hard to raise money to build a Marine Education Centre and purchased equipment such as kayaks and life jackets.

1997

With the increased roll, the school now qualified for a seventh classroom. While waiting for their new classroom, the Std 3 class worked in the junior room while Anne Kershaw’s new entrant class worked in the Marine Centre for the first term. Also this year the new staffroom was built and the main building was refurbished again.

2003

Te Puru School celebrates its Centenary.