Question: Can you imagine carrying your school desk down the street? That’s exactly what the children of Ponsonby did when Curran Street School opened. It later became Ponsonby Primary School.
Ponsonby Primary School has a rich history. It began long ago. It started as Dedwood District Church Street School in 1873. This makes Ponsonby Primary School one of Auckland’s oldest schools.
Originally, the school was in a rented church hall. Only 74 boys attended then. By 1876, 100 girls had joined. The school quickly grew. In 1876, land was bought for a new school building. Architect Edward Mahoney designed the new school that opened in 1879. His design was ahead of its time with big open-air classrooms.
By 1881, the roll was 440 students. By 1900, it had reached 832. This was over capacity. Overcrowding was a big problem. A new school was needed.
In 1921, Curran Street School was built. Pupils started attending in 1922. Mr. Hill was the first principal of the new school. The children carried their desks from the old school on Ponsonby Terrace. They walked all the way down to Curran Street. The line of children stretched from Three Lamps to the school.
In 1931, Curran Street School changed its name. It became Ponsonby Primary School. Mr. Fawcett was the principal then. The school’s symbol is a Pegasus. Its motto is Steadfast and True. These have not changed throughout the school’s history.
The school roll fell during the depression years. It also fell in the 1970s. Many Māori and Pasifika students arrived in the 1960s and 1970s.
By 1997, the roll was down to 254. Since 1998, it has been between 370 and 390. There is often a waitlist of 40 students.
In 2020, Sanjay Rama became the school principal. He followed Mrs. Anne Malcolm. She was the first female principal.
The original 1921 building has been modified. A junior block has been added. The administration and staff areas were moved. This created extra teaching spaces. A library was added in 1999. A school hall and gymnasium were built in 2000. An ICT suite was added in 2005. The school pool was refurbished and heated. A new food technology room was finished in 2008.
Ponsonby Primary School is focused on student wellbeing. The school wants to grow student achievement. They want to provide quality teaching. They also want to promote educational relationships. The school values trust, respect, understanding, and excellence. These values are instilled in all students.
The school is very well placed to sustain and improve its performance. The principal provides highly effective professional leadership. The board of trustees makes decisions that support the strategic direction of the school.
Ponsonby Primary School has come a long way from its humble beginnings. It continues to provide a high-quality education for its students. The school is an important part of the Ponsonby community. It has a proud history and a bright future.