St John's School (Mairangi Bay)

St. John's School in New Zealand has a rich history that began in 1949 with the establishment of the Parish of East Coast Bays. Father John Pierce became the parish priest, and as the North Shore developed rapidly, there arose a need for a school. In 1961, a five-and-a-half-acre plot of land in Mairangi Bay was purchased, and the school, along with a convent, was built. Initially a full primary school, St. John's became a contributing school in 1977, with boys going to Rosmini College and girls going to Carmel College at the intermediate level. The school underwent various developments, including the construction of a parish hall with classrooms, a learner's pool in 1973, and a small school library. In the mid-1970s, St. John's joined the state school system, becoming officially integrated in 1982 with a roll of 225 pupils. The integration required significant building upgrades, funded by a loan from the state and the Diocesan Development Fund. The last integration work was completed in 1996, including the construction of a new toilet block and staffroom. Throughout the years, St. John's School has evolved to meet the changing educational landscape while maintaining its commitment to Catholic education.