Mornington School
| Mornington School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
34 Elgin Road Dunedin , Otago New Zealand | |
| Coordinates | 45°52′57″S 170°28′32″E / 45.882506°S 170.475514°E |
| Information | |
| Type | State primary school |
| Motto | Noho Tahi Ako Tahi Together We Live & Learn |
| Established | 1865 |
| Ministry of Education Institution no. | 3776 |
| Principal | Carmel Jolly |
| Gender | Co-educational |
| Enrollment | 239 (2025)[1] |
| Socio-economic decile | 7[2] |
| Website | www |
Mornington School is a state-funded, co-educational primary school located in Mornington, a suburb of Dunedin, New Zealand. Established in 1865, it is one of the older primary schools in the city and serves students from Years 1 to 6.[3]
History
Mornington School was founded in 1865. Most of its current classroom buildings date from the early 1970s, when distinctive hexagonal classroom buildings were constructed as part of a redesign by the architectural firm McAllum & Black.[4] The original school hall remains part of the campus.
In 2015, Mornington School celebrated its 150th jubilee with a ten-day programme of events, including a birthday party, a human domino chain, a pool party, a disco, and an assembly for former pupils.[5] Former pupils, including 93-year-old Connie Nelson, returned and remarked on the familiarity of the original school hall, the only building remaining from their time at the school.[6] The celebrations were attended by more than 320 people, including current and former students and local dignitaries.
The school’s historic fife and drum band, active from the late 19th century into the mid‑20th century, was featured in local media after historic instruments were loaned back to the school around the time of its sesquicentennial events.[7]
In March 2024, a 102‑year‑old former pupil returned to the school to drop off her great‑granddaughter on the first day of term, illustrating multi‑generational links between families and the school.[8]
Campus and facilities
The school campus includes distinctive hexagonal classroom buildings designed to maximise natural light and open learning spaces. Facilities include a library, a historic hall, a swimming pool, and multiple playground areas.[9]
See also
References
- ^ "Student population – Mornington School". Education Counts. Ministry of Education. 2025-10-01. Retrieved 2026-01-04.
- ^ "Decile Change 2014 to 2015 for State & State Integrated Schools". Ministry of Education. Archived from the original on 24 January 2015. Retrieved 2026-01-04.
- ^ "Mornington School". Mornington School. Archived from the original on 2015-01-13. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
- ^ McAllum, J. (1974). "Hexagonal school design in Dunedin". Architecture in New Zealand. 12 (3): 45–49.
- ^ Chamberlain, Rhys (15 October 2015). "Schools' fiesta fun begins". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 2026-01-04.
- ^ Brown, Timothy (26 October 2015). "Old school hall a familiar place". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 2026-01-04.
- ^ Lewis, John (6 August 2015). "Family fife link fascinates". Otago Daily Times.
- ^ John, Mark (12 March 2024). "School's oldest alumnus visits for drop‑off duty". Otago Daily Times.
- ^ "Mornington School". Mornington School. Archived from the original on 2015-01-13. Retrieved 4 January 2026.