Kōwhai Intermediate School is a state co-educational intermediate school located in the suburb of Kingsland in Auckland, New Zealand. The school opened in October 1922, and was the first intermediate school in New Zealand.
| Kōwhai Intermediate School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
 | |
26 Onslow Road Kingsland Auckland 1024 | |
| Coordinates | 36°52′20″S 174°44′55″E / 36.872187°S 174.748562°E |
| Information | |
| Type | State, Co-educational, Intermediate Years 7-8 |
| Established | 1922 |
| Ministry of Education Institution no. | 1337 |
| Principal | Louise Broad |
| School roll | 342[1] (February 2024) |
| Website | www |
History edit
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During the early 20th century, the borough of Mount Albert was one of the fastest growing areas of Auckland.[2] Overcrowding at Edendale School was so great that by 1918, older students at the school were moved to a temporary satellite school in St Alban's Parish Hall.[3]
In 1920, the New Zealand Government purchased a property on Kowhai Street in Kingsland to alleviate these issues. While Kingsland residents expected the government to establish a primary school on the site, the Department of Education decided to experiment with the facility, establishing the first intermediate school in the country.[3] Intermediate schools were established as education specialists during the 1920s had begun to recognise early adolescence as a key time during development, and that this period of life needed special treatment in education.[4]
The school opened on 1 October 1922, under the name Kowhai Junior High School.[5] 670 students arrived on the first day, even though only 600 places were available at the school.[3]
A new administration block and library were constructed for the school in 2004.[6] In 2006, the school opened a Samoan language bilingual unit, Gafoa le Ata.[7]
In 2018, Kōwhai Intermediate banned students' use of social media while being students of the school.[8]
Notable alumni edit
- Bob Harvey, mayor of Waitakere City[6]
- Laulu Fetauimalemau Mataʻafa, Samoan politician and the first Samoan high commissioner to New Zealand
- Robert Muldoon, Prime Minister of New Zealand[3]
- Nesian Mystik, hip-hop group[6]
- Tigilau Ness, activist and reggae musician[9]
References edit
- ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ Dunsford, Deborah (2016). Mt Albert Then and Now: a History of Mt Albert, Morningside, Kingsland, St Lukes, Sandringham and Owairaka. Auckland: Mount Albert Historical Society. p. 72. ISBN 978-0-473-36016-0. OCLC 964695277. Wikidata Q117189974.
- ^ a b c d Dunsford, Deborah (2016). Mt Albert Then and Now: a History of Mt Albert, Morningside, Kingsland, St Lukes, Sandringham and Owairaka. Auckland: Mount Albert Historical Society. p. 90-92. ISBN 978-0-473-36016-0. OCLC 964695277. Wikidata Q117189974.
- ^ "Choosing the right road". Stuff. 21 September 2009. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ "A Red-Letter Day in Educational History". Auckland Star. Vol. LIII, no. 233. 2 October 1922. p. 3. Retrieved 17 March 2023 – via Papers Past.
- ^ a b c Waitakere City Council (12 March 2004). "Kowhai celebrates new admin. block and library". Scoop. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ Fletcher, Kelsey (8 June 2012). "Dawn breaks for unit". Stuff. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ Martin, Hannah (8 February 2012). "Auckland school tells parents to ban children using social media at home". Stuff. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ Dann, Jennifer (22 November 2016). "Twelve Questions with Tigilau Ness". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 17 March 2023.