Wainuiomata Primary School was established in 1857, making it one of the oldest continuously operating schools in the country.
Wainuiomata Primary School is a state school located in Homedale, the oldest suburb in Wainuiomata. Established way back in 1857, a schoolhouse was constructed in 1908, to accommodate the principal. The same year, the oldest remaining classroom was built. Today, it is the home of the Wainuiomata Historical Museum.
The first block of classrooms, situated closest to Homedale Road, was inaugurated in 1948. Subsequently, the second wing was added in 1951 and formally unveiled by the Minister of Education on 20 March 1953. The infant block, designed in the Avalon style, commenced operations in 1955. Additionally, to accommodate the burgeoning student population, five prefabricated structures were erected on the playground while awaiting the completion of Wainuiomata North (Glendale) School, which opened its doors in 1958.
In 2002, the school underwent a merger with Wood Hatton School, and in 2022, a significant reconstruction of classroom buildings occurred. Several buildings were demolished to pave the way for new ones. Additional reconstruction is still underway in 2024, with the demolition of some older buildings in January, set to be replaced later in the year.
![Wainuiomata River and School, Circa 1920 [Public Domain]](https://wainuiomata.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Wainuiomata-River-School.jpg "Wainuiomata-River-School")
