Our History
From the ancient pā of Te Wai Hirere to the vibrant kura we are today.
Long before the school bells rang, the land we stand on at Point Jerningham was home to Te Wai Hīrere, a stockaded village (pā) belonging to Ngāi Tara.
The name Te Wai Hīrere translates to "the gushing water". According to local history, the pā earned this title when a sudden, heavy downpour caused a flood to sweep across the hillside, causing temporary havoc during the village's construction!
Today, we proudly carry Te Wai Hīrere as our school's Māori name, and the story of the gushing water is reflected in the wave motif of our school logo, a constant reminder of our deep connection to the history of this land.
Roseneath 1925
Opening of Roseneath School gates by R Semple, 7 December 1929
Roseneath School officially opened its doors to the local community in 1898.
Like many historic Wellington institutions, the kura has seen its share of dramatic events. On the 29th of May, 1926, the original school building was tragically destroyed by a fire.
However, the resilient Roseneath community quickly rebuilt. Over the following decade, the area blossomed, and by the 1930s, our roll had grown to over 300 ākonga (students). The school became so popular that a temporary Roseneath 'Side School' had to be established in neighbouring Hataitai just to accommodate the overflow of children!
As educational practices evolved and our local whānau changed, the physical footprint of the school adapted to meet the needs of our learners.
The school underwent a major remodel in 1978 to modernise the classrooms. Then, in 1999, a second storey was added to accommodate another period of roll growth, giving us the distinctive, multi-level learning spaces with spectacular views that our tamariki enjoy today.
Today, Roseneath School proudly stands as a blend of its rich, historic heritage and a modern, forward-thinking approach to education.
Be Part of Our Next Chapter
Our history is rich, but our focus is entirely on the future. We would love to show you how our historic kura has evolved into the vibrant, modern learning environment it is today.