Welcome from the Principal

Tena koutou katoa, nga mihi nui kia koutou katoa.

Kia ora, my name is David Macmillan, and I wish to extend you a very warm welcome to Saint Mary’s School in Rotorua. We are very fortunate to have a supportive Board of Trustees, a dedicated staff and an incredibly supportive school community and parish.

St Mary's is a special character Catholic school. It is part of the Catholic community and shares in its life. The special character means that St Mary's staff and students are expected to live the gospel values as "With Christ As Our Centre We Strive For Excellence".

The school's special character is promoted through regular instruction in religious and moral education and is integrated into all aspects of the school's programmes, environment and culture. Regular participation in church worship and liturgies is aimed at a level appropriate to the children.

The curriculum is underpinned by, and consistent with, what is outlined in The New Zealand Curriculum 2007 and the official Religious Education curriculum for primary Catholic schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

The school was opened at the present site in 1924 with the name of St Michael's. St Michael's was the only parish in Rotorua at the time. St Mary's Church in Seddon Street was opened in 1954 and our school took on the name St Mary's when the present St Michael's School opened in 1958. The Sisters of St Joseph staffed the school for many years and in 1982 St Mary's was integrated with the state system. As an integrated school we have a maximum roll of 450 students.

Families from right across the socio-economic spectrum and from a wide cross section of cultures are a part of the school community. St Mary's is categorised as a decile 6 school. The school has eighteen classrooms, a hall, heated swimming pool, playing field, adventure playground and an astroturf area.

Kia ora mai tatou,

David Macmillan