Our Story: Small School, Big History! 

Ongaonga School has been at the heart of our community for over 150 years! From humble beginnings to our modern, vibrant classrooms, here is how we grew into the school we are today:

• 1875 – Where it all began: The very first Ongaonga District School opened its doors with just 20 pioneers on the roll! Fun fact: that original schoolhouse is still standing today right opposite the old hotel, serving as our awesome local school museum.

• 1886 – Moving on up: As the district grew, so did the need for space. A grand new 4-classroom school was built on our current site to welcome a booming roll of 61 students.

• 1966 – A fresh modern look: On October 21, 1966, the Chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Education Board officially opened the bright, modern school buildings we know and love today. At that time, the roll was at an all-time high of around 100 students!

Ongaonga School Today 

Fast forward to today, and we are a proud, tight-knit 2-classroom school with a current roll of 30 fantastic students.

While the numbers change, our heart stays the same. Our smaller size is our superpower! It allows us to create an incredibly inclusive, supportive, and values-based environment where every single child gets the attention they need to thrive. We may be a small school, but we are doing big things!