History of St Pats

St Patrick's Catholic School, Taupo, opened on January 28 1997 with a roll of 66 pupils.  The official opening, with Bishop Denis Browne unveiling the plaque and blessing the school, along with other celebrations, took place on St Patricks Day, 16 March 1997.  The Board of Trustees worked hard, along with the staff, to have the school ready for the start of the new school year. 

Two classroom blocks and an administration building came on the back of a truck all the way from Tihoi School back in 1996.

Picture of the now Room 2 and Library being trucked in

The school started to grow rapidly in the first year and it was obvious that a new classroom would be needed, sooner than later.

Room 4 arrived on the hill in Term 4 of 1997.  It is a purpose built classroom from Keith Hay Homes.

Picture of the now Room 7

The school is situated on approx. 2.1 hectares of land, approximately 1.5km from the township of Taupo.  It has amazing panoramic views of the National Park Mountains.  The playground includes playing fields, adventure playgrounds and an asphalt area for netball and tennis.  The school presently has 7 classrooms, library and administration block which includes resource room, staff room, sick bay, and the Principal and Secretary's office. 

For the first 3½ years the school facilities were very sparse.  The school office was attached to the Parish Hall and the Principal's office, sick bay and staff room were housed in the administration building supplied from Tihoi School - originally built for a staff of 4 teachers.  So you can imagine, things were tight.

But at last we have a lovely sunny, new Administration Block and now we have room to stretch out our legs!

Picture of new Admin Block

In 1997, with the hard work of the school PTFA (Parents, Teachers and Friends Association) who raised a lot of money from their first Gala, and other fundraising efforts, the new playground was built.  The Lakeland Lions and Taupo Lions Clubs came along and supplied us with bark and manpower. 

The kids make full use of this playground every day, and they love it.

Once again, the need had to be filled for another classroom to accommodate the growing roll.  Room 5 came along in Term 1, 1999 and was placed on the hill next to Room 4.

At the beginning of 2000 two more classrooms were trucked in and positioned behind the caretakers/sports shed.

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