Established in 1872 Riverhead School stands proudly in Riverhead Village. It’s a full primary school educating children from Year 1 to Year 8. Its location just off State Highway 28 offers a unique blend of rural charm and proximity to Auckland’s bustling city center. Riverhead School’s history is deeply rooted in the area’s past. The land was once a significant gum-digging site attracting Dalmatian settlers. Their legacy lives on in the names of families still residing in the community. From early pioneering days through timber milling and market gardening Riverhead’s character has constantly evolved. Today the village’s landscape continues to change as timber mills have closed and properties are subdivided into lifestyle blocks. Auckland’s proximity allows residents to enjoy country living while commuting for work. Recent years have seen tremendous growth with hundreds of new homes built.
Riverhead School itself has undergone significant transformations. One of its original classrooms dating back to 1900 is now preserved at the local community tennis courts. Most of the existing school buildings were constructed in 1960. A major upgrade in 2010 saw the addition of the Kapia building. This impressive structure houses six new classrooms a new library and a resource room for teachers. Further development in 2017 involved demolishing original classrooms and the administration block. This led to the construction of three expansive Innovative Learning Environments and a new administration block.
Riverhead School is a vibrant and diverse community. It boasts approximately 470 students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Maori and Pacific Island students are well represented alongside those from Korea India South Africa and China. The school’s inclusive environment is reflected in its motto Think Do Discover. These words guide all aspects of the school’s vision. They also underpin the Bump@r Expectations Inquiry Learning and Riverhead School Curriculum Guidelines. The school actively promotes collaborative learning for both students and adults. It offers a wide array of extra-curricular activities. This includes Northwest sports tournaments in various disciplines. Students also have the opportunity to learn Spanish and French participate in speech competitions join the school band and participate in choirs. The school has two Kapa Haka groups that perform regularly. The school even organizes a celebratory end of year graduation expedition to Dunedin for Year 8 students.
Riverhead School’s commitment to excellence is evident in its dedicated teachers and supportive environment. It’s a place where students are empowered to think critically creatively and discover their potential. It’s a testament to the school’s continuous evolution adapting to the ever changing needs of its students and community. A true reflection of Riverhead’s rich past and bright future.