Our History

As part of the Auckland Diocese’s vision to establish a Catholic school in every parish, Bishop Liston invited the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny to come to New Zealand. A site overlooking the estuary was chosen for a school and convent, and in September 1940 Sisters Philippe and Daniel arrived by train. They were welcomed by Fathers Eccleston and Flynn, along with a large gathering of parishioners.

The following month, Bishop Liston, accompanied by several priests, met to confirm the site for the school, which was also intended to serve as a Mass centre on Sundays. In November 1940, Mother Ursula, the congregation’s Provincial Superior, arrived with Sisters Madeleine and Marie Thérèse, and the first Mass was celebrated at the convent.

While construction of the school was underway, the Sisters began teaching music, French, shorthand, and typing.

The land was surveyed and marked out, and in 1941 the builders, Street and Street,
commenced work on the school at the 13th Avenue site. The building was completed and ready for use at the beginning of 1942.

Bishop Liston blessed the new school and celebrated Mass in the classrooms, and the school opened the following day with an initial roll of 65 students. Country children were able to board at the school during the week, and those unable to return home were billeted into the homes of parishioners during the weekend.