Some BACKGROUND

WHO ARE WE? - Some history and background

Schooling in Hāwera was first established in 1875 to cater for students within the town and from the surrounding farming districts at the blockhouse (where Welsh McCarthy & Parker is now located). 

The original site of the first purpose built school house was where the former Hāwera Intermediate once stood which is now the location of Te Kura Kaupapa o Ngati Ruanui. At the time it was on the edge of town. 

In 1890, due to roll growth an additional two classroom school was built for the children living around the Te Hāwera fort. In time it grew to cater for nearly 700 pupils of all ages. 

In 1928, the infant part of the school was moved to the other end of the grounds. This was known as the “Sunshine School” which later became known as Hawera Main School and in time as Hāwera Primary School. 

In 1954, the junior students moved into their brand new block. This same year the swimming baths were completed. The senior students were then moved into the vacated front block on the current school grounds during this period.

Planning for the establishment of Hawera Intermediate School followed, this school served the town from 1961-2022. On October 12 2015 it was severely damaged by a major fire. In October 2023, a new school, Te Paepae o Aotea, opened to educate students in Years 7-13 on the former site of Hāwera High School on Camberwell Road.

Hāwera Primary is a contributing school which caters for Years 1-6 children from a diverse range of backgrounds. The school roll sits around 170.  Approximately 50% identify as Māori, 40% as NZ European and 10% other ethnicities. 

The school is set in spacious park-like grounds. Features include a two pool swimming complex, a popular bike track, substantial green spaces, a large playground, confidence course, three sports fields, three courts, a sandpit and picnic areas. There are ongoing plans to continue developing and refreshing the back green area of the school...watch this space!

Our school buildings consist of one block of mainly junior classrooms, two pods (which accommodate the senior classes) and several stand alone buildings and prefabs including a recently refurbished hall and admin block. In 2017, the original senior block was demolished (due to weather tightness issues). In 2018, it was replaced by two state of the art innovative learning environments (ILEs). In 2019, the junior classrooms were repainted internally and work began in 2021 to gradually transform these classrooms into ILEs with the first stage - the conversion of the corridor into a “Learning Street” completed. In 2020, the exterior of the junior block was remodelled with a deck built along the front. 

Hāwera Primary is one of =many schools in the South Taranaki cluster. We enjoy working closely as a cluster of schools for professional development, learning activities, sporting and cultural events.