Pakuranga Intermediate School is set to celebrate 50 years of diversity, education and community next week.
Built in 1973 in response to the widespread construction of suburban housing developments in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Pakuranga Intermediate was a welcome solution for students who no longer needed to traverse to the old Howick school.
In its early days, the school commenced with 605 students, 16 classrooms and five specialty rooms, resulting in class sizes of more than 35 students per room.
Over time, the student population surged, reaching a peak of just over 1000 before the establishment of another intermediate school nearby.
Now, Pakuranga Intermediate represents a diverse community, with 47 nationalities and 14 primary languages. The school’s staff also mirror this multicultural essence.
Notably, Pakuranga Intermediate serves as the host school for the RTLB (Resource Teachers: Learning and Behaviour) service, overseeing 44 schools in the surrounding area, further solidifying its role in the wider educational landscape.
Principal Stephen Johnston says the event is an exciting time to reminisce about the school’s history.
“Many of the founding students and staff are still around and can see what has changed and what has remained and relive the memories of the school’s history.
“As one of the earlier schools in the area, Pakuranga has a special place in many people’s hearts and over the last nine years I have been here, I have heard many of these [stories],” Johnston says.
Johnston says through reading the words of the founding principal, many of his original philosophies, beliefs and attitudes still resonate within the school’s corridors.
“We will have these on display for our visitors,” he says.
The jubilee celebration will unfold over two days, kicking off on Thursday, November 9, 50 years to the day after the school’s opening. Tickets cost $35.
For all ticket enquiries email jubilee@pakurangaint.school.nz or call on 576 1860.
