Our History

1960's

Tararua College opens on 2nd February.
First open day for the public on 2nd April.
First Parents Association meeting on 4th May.

1961

B Block completed.
Grand piano, mahogany lectern and table purchased for the Hall with a gift of 600 pounds from the Pahiatua DHS Memorial fund.
The silver birches were planted on the main drive
Tararua College officially opened by the Governor General, Viscount Cobham, in the presence of the local MP, the Prime Minister elect Keith Holyoake on 11th October.
Tim Bell wins Tararua College’s first Scholarship.
College choir’s first broadcast 9 Lessons and Carols service 11.25am on Christmas Day on 2ZA Palmerston North.

1962

Tararua College Educational Trust founded in February. Within a year it has 351 members and has raised over 1120 pounds.
Peter Snell and Murray Halberg visit in April.
Head Boy, Peter Lines, wins the 1962 Upham Scholarship.

1966

There is much discussion about the need for examinations for the junior school.
Work begins on the School Cafeteria.

1963

17th September NZBC Orchestra performed in the Hall.
Mr. McLean’s magazine editorial, emphasizing the dangers of letting science dominate the curriculum education was the subject of an editorial in the Wellington Evening Post.

1964

Tararua College Rowing Team obtains canoes and oars from Auckland Rowing Club and takes part in Secondary Schools regattas in Wanganui and Wellington.
Work starts on the gym. Parents Association gives 4200 pounds.

1965

North Island Secondary schools rowing regatta on the Tiraumea River: 15 schools take part.
Gymnasium opened by W.H.Brown MP for Palmerston North (although the plaque said Mr A Kinsella who was Minister of Education and was ill) on 12th June. It had cost 13,000 pounds of which the college raised about a third.
Tararua College Choir wins a national competition for recorded music run by the NZ Esperanto Society.
Tim Bell wins Tararua College’s first Scholarship.

1966

There is much discussion about the need for examinations for the junior school.
Work begins on the School Cafeteria.

1967

A site is purchased for a boarding hostel due for completion in 1968 and arrangements made to use a wing of the Pahiatua hospital in the
meantime.
The College’s only recorded Debutante Ball in front of Mr and Mrs. Holyoake.
Fifth and Sixth form Australian tour.

1968

Mr M K Denholm becomes Principal of Tararua College.
Social Studies department trip to the South Island.

1969

10th Jubilee Reunion at Easter, 4th-6th April.
Visit of Governor General Sir Arthur Porrit in July.

1970's

Mr S.W. Gaudin becomes Principal of Tararua College.
Uniform abolished for Seventh Form/ Year 13 and for Sixth Form (Year 12) in mid-year.
Hair regulations relaxed.
Year 9 and 10 examinations abolished and replaced by a system of testing.
Gala day raised $4000.
South Island Tour for Senior students. Cost $8 each

1971

Prefects elected and committee system introduced.
Streaming scaled back.

1972

Rock gardens put around the school.
School Canteen completed.
First Mufti week.

1974

Internal Television system first set up in the college.
Form deans first appointed.

1975

Senior Science Block built.
Maori introduced to the curriculum.
Shower and changing facilities added to the Gymnasium.
Electives begin on Wednesday afternoons.

1976

First Guidance Counsellor and Careers Advisers appointed.
Queen Carnival raises over $25,000 for the District Sports Complex.
Trip to New Caledonia.
Miss I. E Checkley dies, leaving her property to the Tararua College Educational Trust.
Ian and Peter Herkes set a World Crawling Record on the track.

1977

Scrap metal collection raised $3000.

1978

Tu Tangata formed.
Tararua College takes part in World Vision for the first time.

1979

South Island Trip.
Swimming pool opened – not the building – on 10th November.

1980's

Tu Tangata Rotorua and Murupara Trip.
Canoe Trip to Lake Tarawera and again in 1982.

1981

The Library built.
Irene Hislop wins three gold, one silver and a bronze at the World
Childrens’ Disabled Games in London.
Visit by Hone Tuwhare.
Swimming Pool roofed in.

1982

Introduction of Liberal Studies.

1983

Ski Trip to Ruapehu and again in 1983.

1984

Porangahau Marae trip.

1985

Tararua College Silver Jubilee at Easter.
Parewahawaha Marae Trip.

1986

Major Sports Tour (rugby, netball and basketball) to Australia in May.
End of Year: Science Courtyard built.

1987

Site blessed and work begins on building of Whare Wananga on 11th April.
Tania Hepi comes 1st equal in the Lions National “Youth Speaks for New Zealand” competition.
Sally Richardson revives a College Singing Group.

1988

Nick Gaudin retires as principal in June and is succeeded by Eric Smith.
Whare Wananga opened by Governor General, Sir Paul Reeves on 28th August in the presence of 1000 guests.
College repainted and cafeteria mural painted by Rachel Donald.
Visit by Sam Hunt.

1989

Introduction of Transition as a subject.
Visit by Governor-General Sir Paul Reeves on 21st September to unveil a plaque on the Whare Wananga.
Introduction of Tomorrow’s Schools in October 1st: Board of Governors becomes Board of Trustees.

1990's

Redevelopment of the bottom of A and B Block
Path from Tama Tu Tama Ora put in.

1991

Construction of new changing rooms linking the Gym and the Pool.
Introduction of the voucher system.
Introduction of Horticulture.
Opening of the Gymnasium refurbishment by Lois Muir in September.
Duncan Elliott represents NZ in the National Skeet Shooting Team.
Brendon Tootell is National Supercross Champion.

1992

Opening of the Nick Gaudin Music Suite.

1993

School leaving age raised to 16.
Tararua College repainted.
College visit to New Caledonia.

1994

Cafeteria and Staff Area destroyed by fire on 12th May.
First visit of Seito High School from Japan.

1995

Opening of the new staff room, staff workroom and Canteen in Term 2.
Drama group wins second place in National Shakespeare competition.
Peer Support introduced.
Introduction of teaching by computer linkup with other schools.
Reece Robinson captains the NZ Secondary Schools rugby team.

1996

Introduction of Computer Technology and Rural
Studies/Horticulture as subjects.

1997

Unit Standards introduced.
National Certificate of Employment Skills introduced.
Phil McCreery becomes principal of Tararua College (July).

1998

Death of Sue Rowden, Chairperson of the Board.
Sue Rowden Support Centre opened.
Music tour of South Island.
Tu Tangata class support programme begins.
Introduction of extension classes.

1999

Introduction of new senior uniform.
Refurbishment of Administration Block.
Kelly Beech Agriculture Unit set up.
Automotive classrooms built.
Educational Trust scholarships begin.

2000's

Jones Motors presents school car.

2001

Tararua Roading presents school van.
Whare Storage Room built.

2002

Completion and Opening of the Technology Suite: March.
Completion of the Kelly Beech Rural Education unit.
Primary Technology begins at Tararua College.
National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) begins.
Refurbishment of the Science Block.

2003

Opening of the Technology Suite.
Opening of the Whare Kai.
Refurbishment of the Science Block.

2004

Opening of Drama Suite.

2005

Introduction of Gateway Programme.
Term Two: Phil McCreery becomes Principal of Cambridge High School.
Term Four: Glynis De Castro becomes Principal.

2006 – 2009

Performing Arts trip to Vanuatu.
Music department trip to Queensland.
Rugby Trip to Australia

2010's

Music Tour to Taupo
Italy Trip

2012

Tararua College School Hall refurbished
Music Tour to New Plymouth

2013

S.T.R.I.V.E Values adopted
Technology Block re-roofed
Tararua College becomes a Google Apps school
Year 10 Samoa Trip

2014

Change from Form Classes and Year Level Deans to Mentoring Groups and House Deans
Introduction of school-wide wireless network for staff and students.
We are involved in two exciting projects that began this year and will continue into the future. One of these is Community of Learning with the Primary Schools in Southern Tararua. This is a change of direction initiated by the Ministry of Education. It involves all the schools collaborating together to improve the academic achievement of all students.
The other project involves the Mayor, Malcolm Bell from the Ministry of Education, local businesses and Dannevirke High School and us, working on a project that will see closer collaboration in working with our senior students to ensure that they are work ready. It is a project that should also keep some of our young men and women in the Tararua for longer. It should ensure that we train more apprentices across a wide variety of trades.

2016

Principal Glynis De Castro leaves - The contribution of our Principal Glynis De Castro over the past 11 years. Glynis began at Tararua College as the Principal on the 10th October 2005. She came from Newlands College in Wellington where she had been Deputy Principal for 5 years. Glynis was the Science Advisor for Wellington College of Education and prior to that a lecturer in Science Education. She also taught at Mana College and Taita College and has travelled and taught at overseas schools.

2017

John Ward becomes Principal

There have been a number of environmental changes at the College during the year. Each of these has defined a move forwards in the College that reflects outwardly the changes we a developing in our classrooms.

These include:

A revision of our school crest, respecting the traditional elements while modernising and strengthening the image to reflect the core values of our school.
The removal of B-Block - a long time coming but this has made a significant difference to the feel of the College.
Changes in paint colours - the coral/pink has been with us for some time but we are now simplifying the scheme with shades of green. The feedback from students and community has been really positive about this update
We are introducing a new uniform in 2018 which will be phased in over the next two years. This again allows for simplification, modernisation and cost reduction for our community.
The branding of the College is being developed around our three core values of Respect, Involvement and Excellence. These replace the long-standing acronym 'Strive'. While strive is still certainly in line with our approaches as a College, the three new values support our development of the Positive Behaviour 4 Learning programme that has been developed over the past year.
New Access pathways to the school and removal of the concrete walls at the front of school have developed the positive image of the College as community walks through the gates
The 'birdcage' area between S-block and A-block is in the process of being rejuvenated into a pleasant garden sitting area for our students to enjoy.

2018

HPA -The establishment of the High Performance Programme this year has added a significant support for those students performing at the highest levels. Miss Shelley Arends, the HPA Director, and her team have worked closely with our students to ensure we provide everything needed to deliver outcomes which are recognised regionally and nationally.
Nelson Block (A- Block) signaled for demolition by the Ministry (likely happen in 2020)
Student Support Centre revamp
Marae - We have also started the process of developing the Marae complex. The Board is working closely with the Marae Incorporated Society to ensure that the Wharenui/ Wharekai and associated buildings meet the needs ~f our students, whanau and wider community.
Library - Mrs Elaine White leaves and the library closes.
Principal John Ward leaves Midyear and Iain Anderson starts as Principal

2019

Property developments around the school have rapidly taken off with a whole school roofing project now well underway. Further infra-structural improvements are planned for the coming year, including the reinstatement of the school pool and the initial planning stages of the replacement for A block. It is hoped that we can have a new purpose built teaching block built within the next two years to provide the space and environment we need to continue deliver

2020's

COVID
New school van
Chromebooks purchased enough for each student so that all had them at home during COVID lockdown

2021

A-Block removal put on hold and added to the national programme of school upgrades
Introduction of the Gvt.ds Healthy School Lunch programme
Tama Tu opens??