MULBERRY GROVE SCHOOL
MULBERRY GROVE SCHOOL
AOTEA GREAT BARRIER ISLAND
Embedded Files
OUR HISTORY
OUR HISTORY
Mulberry Grove School ~ Established 1962
Mulberry Grove School ~ Established 1962
The first recorded schooling in the Tryphena area of Southern Aotea Great Barrier Island was in 1884 with the opening of the one-roomed Tryphena School. Alfred Osborne became its first teacher, with 20 pupils. This arrangement, with a variety of teachers, usually part-time but less so as time went by, continued up until December 1939 when it closed. This original historic Tryphena School building is still currently located on the island. It is now known as the 'Old School Building' and is located next to the Tryphena Hall, by Pa Beach and houses the office of the Aotea Family Support Group.
Tryphena School 1884-1939
Tryphena School 1884-1939
1962 Mulberry Grove School
1962 Mulberry Grove School
Mulberry Grove School opened its doors in its current location in 1962. The initial school consisted of a prefabricated building, shipped over from Auckland. The school roll had 29 children, from 11 families.
Mulberry Grove School served as the school for the whole southern area of Great Barrier Island, with Okiwi School serving the northern Okiwi/ Fitzroy area. Children travelled to Mulberry Grove School from as far away as Awana, Okupu and Whangaparapara. They travelled by bus, horse, boat and long distances of walking to attend school. In the 1980s when the school roll increased so much, it was decided an extra school was needed for the island and Kaitoke School was built in 1988 to serve the central island community.
By 1974 there were two full time teachers and one part time, with the roll rapidly expanding.
1985: 103 pupils
1986: 108 pupils
1987: 107 pupils and five teachers
1988: Kaitoke School opens to ease the pressure on Mulberry Grove School numbers
By 1966, the school had 32 pupils and to widen their horizons an RNZAF Sunderland Flying boat landed and took 16 of them for a trip to Auckland!
1984 - Defense Force personnel visiting the island from HMAS Tobruk arrived at the school to construct a jungle gym- which you can still see at Mulberry Grove School.
Whole School Rebuild 2015
Whole School Rebuild 2015
Mulberry Grove School was completely rebuilt on its original site in 2015. The new build consists of a learning block with 2 classrooms, a shared learning space and library, and an office block with kitchen. In 2024 the old netball court was resealed and painted. 2025 has seen the completion of the brand new art/technology/science room.
50 Year Anniversary 2012
50 Year Anniversary 2012
Mulberry Grove School celebrated its 50 year anniversary in 2012 with a weekend of events and special celebrations to mark the occasion. A memorial anniversary book was also published full of history and stories from the schools 50 years.
Page updated
Report abuse