OUR HISTORY

Whangaehu School backs onto the Whangaehu River, which is a major river that originates from the crater lake of Mount Ruapehu, and runs through the central part of New Zealand's North Island and empties into the Tasman sea eight kilometers southeast of Whanganui. 

The first Whangaehu School (1872) was a one roomed wooden building situated on the top of the Whangaehu Hill, overlooking the valley. In order for the teacher at the school to get to the school to teach he had to pass through a toll gate and pay a toll. 

The land for the school was gifted in 1910 by Paramount Chief Uru Te Angina, known locally as Samuel Woon.  

In 1915 the school was relocated to Ruatangata Rd, where it remains today. The work to move the school began in 1914, and was undertaken by the board's carpenter, Mr Hodges, who was aided by some of the local residents. While this work was undertaken, the schoolwork continued from the local hall. The school was officially reopened on Ruatangata Road on January 28 1915. The teacher's house remained on top of the hill and the teacher had to come to school by horse and gig.

Only a few years later the success of the school and increased roll size led to the need for more changes. A delegation from Whangaehu (including Mrs E Bartrum, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Harry Thompson, and Mr. Rangi Thompson) went to see the Minister of Education and the district MPs to request the building of a new school building. They met with success, and the new building was opened in 1949 with a roll of 77 students. The community worked together, and dismantled the building at the top of the hill and re-erected it on Ruatangata road as the school hall/library at the present day school.

 Whangaehu School reached the milestone of being open for 150 years in 2022, and a big jubilee was held to commemorate this amazing achievement, they held celebrations from Friday, October 21 to Sunday, October 23 2022. Much of the information of the history of our kura is known because of these celebrations and the publicity that the celebrations created.