Te kura o Haewai / Houghton Valley School is a large part of the Houghton Valley community. Being a small school in a large natural environment, it has a reputation for a country feel and the students enjoy many outdoor as well as indoor activities. The annual fair makes the most of this country feel with pony rides and field activities as well as great music, food and stalls.
Email address: admin@houghton.school.nz
Te Kura o Haewai / Houghton Valley School Website
Te Kura o Haewai / Houghton Valley School Facebook Page
Early history of Houghton Valley School
Before 1929, children in Houghton Valley attended Lyall Bay School. Then, when the community hall was built, it was rented to the Education Department for use as a school. In March 1930, the Minister of Education approved a grant to build a new school on a spur of land below Houghton Bay Road but above the deep valley. The first classroom block of Houghton Bay School (later renamed Houghton Valley School) was finished in 1931. Jean Park was the first headmistress and served from 1931 until her retirement in 1944.
The stream below the school was piped and the gully filled to create a playing field. This was prior to the rest of the valley being used for landfill, which started in 1949.
