What if these walls could talk? Papakura Central School has a rich history dating back much further than you might think.
Let’s step back in time. The story of Papakura Central School begins long before official records were kept. We rely on the memories of early settlers. The very first school in Papakura started in the early 1850s. It was held in a small building. This building was on the site of the present Methodist Church. Mr. Cole built it as a Wesleyan Chapel.
Mr. McQueen was the first teacher. Later, Mr. Fallwell taught there. He later taught in the Presbyterian Church in 1859. The church served as a school until about 1876. That’s when the old Central School was built.
A Mr. Hassard constructed the old Central School in 1876. The cost was 305 pounds. The building measured 55 x 25 feet. It had a 14-foot stud. That very building is still used today for many purposes. As the railway improved and roads developed, more settlers arrived. Additions were made to the school to accommodate the growing number of students.
In 1924 a separate Infant Department was constructed. As numbers continued to rise, railway land was used. This was next to the Infant School. Oak trees provided welcome shade during summer. The building became the Papakura Resource Centre. A Dental Clinic opened on December 8th, 1926. This kept pace with the growing district.
When Ardmore Teachers’ College opened in 1948 Papakura Central School became the Normal School. It was attached to the Teachers’ College. It also oversaw model schools at Ardmore and Alfriston. A new school was built in Papakura North. That school became the new Normal School. This school reverted to Papakura Central School. Other schools had been built. So this could no longer be called simply “the Papakura School”.
Believe it or not replacement of the original buildings was considered as early as 1937. They were outmoded. They had served their purpose.
The present Papakura Central School on Ray Small Drive opened in 1973. It featured a new design with paired classrooms. Pupils and staff moved here.
The buildings have changed considerably since the school moved. In 2002, the Resource/Staffroom was modernized. A new Administration area was added. 2005 saw a new 4-room classroom block. The School Auditorium and Entrance were added in 2007. In 2009, the School Library and senior toilets were upgraded. In 2013, they added a Caretaker’s Shed. The heating was upgraded. New Junior toilets were installed. The Dental Clinic interior became a Learning Studio. Solar Panels were installed in 2017. “Hubs” were introduced in 2018. These included one two-class and one three-class hub. The school was rebranded in 2019. The logo and signs were updated. A Bikes In Schools Bike Track was built. A new Middle School Playground was added in 2021. The New Junior School Playground was created in 2024.
Today Papakura Central School continues to evolve. It provides a safe and fun environment. It encourages students to be curious and courageous. The school values respectfulness, responsibility, integrity, and resilience. It aims to develop lifelong skills. Papakura Central School prepares learners to meet life’s challenges. It helps them achieve their full potential.