Have you ever wondered what a school named after a saint is like? Right here in Island Bay, stands Saint Francis De Sales School. This school, nestled next to Saint Francis de Sales Church, has a fascinating history. Saint Francis De Sales School first opened its doors in 1905 on Avon Street. The Sisters of the Sacred Heart established this small school. It began with just nine students.
In 1926, the school moved and changed its name to Saint Madeline Sophie. This honored the founder of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart. The school continued to grow. During the 1960s, it became so large that it needed to use the St Pius 10th School building for its junior students. The Sisters of the Sacred Heart ran Saint Madeline Sophie until 1979. Then the school appointed its first lay principal.
A major shift occurred in 1983 when Saint Madeline Sophie integrated with the state system. The old buildings were deemed inadequate. Plans were drawn up for a new school on one site. This brought us to the current Mersey Street location. With its new location next to the parish church, it was renamed Saint Francis De Sales School. The new school officially opened in January 1985, boasting eight classrooms.
Saint Francis De Sales School has continued to thrive and expand. Additional classrooms have been added. The administration area has been upgraded. The school’s roll is now capped at 320 students, with a small number of non-preference places. The school’s motto, “The measure of love is to love without measure,” reflects the values of its patron saint. More recently, the school received a Māori name, Te Kura o Hāto Werahiko te Hēpara – St Francis de Sales School. This name, gifted by Deacon Danny Karatea-Goddard, further enriches the school’s identity. Today, Saint Francis De Sales School offers a Catholic education for students from Year One to Year Eight. The school’s close relationship with the neighboring church strengthens its connection to the wider Catholic community. It is a testament to its enduring mission of fostering a love of God, a love of learning, and a love of life.