The Schools History

It is of interest that the first State School established in Kerikeri was built by Mr W Skudder in 1903. The establishment of this school was instigated by Mr Black and the small building was situated just below the church in the Stone Store Basin. This operated until 1915 when a school building was brought from Pungaere and re-erected on the north side of the bridge at Riverview. Extended with more classrooms, it was officially Kerikeri Primary School.

In 1958 a new primary school was opened in Hone Heke Road, opposite to three classrooms and a science laboratory built the year before, and in 1963 the school at Riverview closed and several classrooms were removed to Hone Heke Road. Today we still have the ‘Riverview Block’ which is now known as Rooms 12 & 13, currently home to two junior classes. (1988 saw the second primary school opened at Riverview Road, today known officially as Riverview School.)

Both schools in Hone Heke Road, known as Kerikeri District High School, were administered under one Principal based at the Primary School. In 1972 this administration changed and both schools operated autonomously as Kerikeri Primary School and Kerikeri High School, as they continue to do so today.

The Handbell

One item of great historical significance is our school hand bell. It was used in the early days for Church services and at the end of each day was returned to Kemp House where it was placed on the front verandah to be used in the event of fire. Fortunately it was never necessary to use the bell for this particular purpose.

This bell was donated to the school by the Kemp family to mark the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the first settlement of Kerikeri.

The bell was first brought to New Zealand about 1819 and had spent the greater part of its life at the present St James’ Church where it was rung each Sunday until the Church acquired the bell now in use.

Today the bell is still used on many occasions for sports days etc and remains back up for the electric bell, particularly in times of emergency.