PAEROA CENTRAL SCHOOL ADVERTISING FEATURE
2003 marked the centenary of a treasured building at Paeroa Central School – the Infants’ Block. The structure, once part of the former Paeroa District High School, has been at the school for generations of young learners as they began their journey into education.
1877: Schooling began with a single classroom accommodating students of all ages.
1884: A second room was built, allowing for a division between junior and senior pupils.
1889: The addition of a third classroom provided the first permanent space for the youngest learners – the infants.
1896: A fourth room was added, where the infants’ department remained until the new block was built. Educators of the infants were called Infant Mistress and later the role became Senior Teacher Junior Classes (STJC) during the 1970s. Paeroa’s longest-serving and most-beloved Infant Mistress Miss Minnie Shaw taught from 1896-1925.
1903: Completion of a new purpose-built block – the building still stands today.
1949: Miss Shaw passed away on June 24, leaving behind a legacy of dedication, kindness and educational excellence. As the school continues to move forward, it honours the vision and service of those who came before and helped shape the educational foundations of Paeroa.
1965: Modification of entrances on the northeast side and addition of an upper level above the toilets.
1997: Under the guidance and vision of Kuia Daisy Te Moananui and Aunty Nellie, our kura opened its first Rūmaki Te Reo class, Te Ara Hou Te Reo. Their dream was to see tamariki learning once again through te reo Māori, the language of their ancestors, within their local school.
1998: The Rūmaki Te Reo class was closed.
2015: a new generation of passionate leaders – Kahu Pokiha, Chrissy Te Teira and Colleen, alongside supportive whānau, hapū, and iwi, worked together to re-establish a Māori medium pathway for their tamariki.
2016: The reopening of the Rūmaki Unit in February. A Junior/Teina class and Senior/Tuakana class (Levels 2–3) were established.
2018: The introduction of a Rūmaki Waenga class to support students transitioning into te reo Māori immersion. This marked a new chapter in our kura’s history – Paeroa Central School became a Dual Medium School, providing pathways across Levels 1, 2, and 3 of Māori immersion education.
2023: The establishment of Te Wharekura o Waitangi ō Hinemuri in Waihi created yet another pathway for Hauraki learners to stay connected to te reo and tikanga Māori throughout their schooling.
2025: Today, learning in both Māori and English is firmly woven into the life of the kura.
