Antecedents John Paul College, Rotorua

1 antecedents

1.1 sisters of st joseph
1.2 edmund rice college
1.3 mackillop college
1.4 amalgamation
1.5 legacy
1.6 staff

antecedents
sisters of st joseph

in 1902, mother mary mackillop (st mary of cross), founder of sisters of st joseph of sacred heart, went rotorua during last of 4 visits new zealand. doctors had suggested might find in mineral waters relief rheumatic condition progressively limiting activities , causing considerable distress. in course of treatment, on 11 may 1902, suffered severe stroke , seemed near death. recovered sufficiently moved, bishop lenihan, fifth catholic bishop of auckland, arranged transported rail auckland convalesced @ remuera convent best part of year. evidently during stay in rotorua mother mary mackillop saw great need catholic school there, , set arrangements in motion.

father kreijmborg, mill hill missionary priest, in 1902, built school near lake in st michael s parish , prepared convent sisters arrived following year. 1922 school proving inadequate number of children seeking admission. decision made build new school in ranolf street; st joseph s school opened in 1924. school included secondary department. [i]n 1954 staffing levels @ st joseph s, rotorua, had reached chronic levels. class sizes 57, 75, 78, 80 , 100. educational impact severe , struggling staff advised diocesan director of schools on how ensure @ least people progress until staffing can improved . led secondary section being closed in 1957, available options rotorua catholic families being @ time rotorua boys high school, rotorua girls high school or boarding school outside rotorua. there strong demand catholic secondary education in rotorua in late 1950s. population growth had been high in bay of plenty area, starting in 1950. growth contributed forestry, farming , tourism developments. population of rotorua under 10,000 in 1945 reached 20,000 1963.

edmund rice college

in 1959, seventh catholic bishop of auckland, archbishop liston, made request christian brothers (already established in diocese @ st peter s college, auckland) establish secondary school boys in rotorua. in 1962 christian brothers decided go ahead rotorua foundation. site college existed. in 1946, catholic land-owner patrick keaney had bequeathed 4 acres 27 perches parish of st mary. in 1958 further 10 acres 2 roods purchased. building of school commenced in 1962. edmund rice college officially opened in july 1963. on first day, college had roll of 115 boys, of whom 25% maori.

edmund rice college school bell rang first time in 1963 sounds of construction site. hammers punctuated english lessons , maths conducted building multiplies in size around 115 founding students. rugged start rotorua s first catholic boys college. boys pioneers. facilities in days basic. ovals farm fields, buildings not complete. nonetheless, in opening year school field[s] sports teams, sent contingent tauranga meet queen , staged musical. parents took time off develop playing fields , roads. opening year, 1963, 201 years after birth of school s namesake , founder of christian brothers, blessed edmund ignatius rice. edmund rice college staffed christian brothers when opened gradually lay teachers employed fewer brothers became available. college became state-integrated school in 1983, form 3-7 secondary college attached intermediate school.

mackillop college

mackillop college (named after mary mackillop (st mary of cross)) girls opened sisters of st joseph of sacred heart on 14 february 1966, on site adjoining edmund rice college, foundation roll of 146 girls in forms i, ii , iii. day began assembly @ father d mckenna, parish priest of st mary s, rotorua, blessed 5 rooms ready immediate use , blessed crucifix each room. work had started building college in 1965. buildings completed in 1975. mackillop college officially opened archbishop liston on 8 may 1966. difficulties in providing wide range of subjects @ senior level resulted in sharing classes edmund rice college. convenient because 2 colleges situated closely each other. in general, girls went edmund rice college science subjects while boys took languages , biology @ mackillop college. integration brought interesting situation. mackillop structured form 1-7 school, while edmund rice deemed secondary school attached intermediate . meant teachers working [in] form 1 , 2 classes in each school on different pay scales , schools staffed according 2 different formulae. , schools 200 metres apart!

amalgamation

the cost of upgrading schools when integrated , need ensure facilities not duplicated led bishop gaines, first catholic bishop of hamilton, decide amalgamate schools. example, education department estimated cost of upgrading edmund rice , mackillop colleges meet integration requirements @ $1.2 million. decision surprisingly controversial, , consultation process have been done better. there feeling among decision amalgamate had been taken, , consultation going through motions . bishop gaines drove change , financial genius pulled off sale, , later purchase of [the] mckillop [college site], healthy profit school. funds initial sale enabled john paul college build , refurbish, meet needs of growing numbers of students. amalgamation completed in may 1987 , edmund rice college , mackillop college closed. edmund rice college in 25th year. christian brothers community reduced three, relocated in rented accommodation nearby, , brothers former home became administration centre of john paul college. in may, 1987, john paul college opened doors 687 students. time new school operated in both places, former edmund rice college chosen new site because had more potential development. @ end of 1989 christian brothers community withdrawn rotorua. mackillop buildings have produced rental income college.

legacy

sister anne marie power r.s.j. has said mary mackillop (st mary of cross) have smile of approval important educational venture doing catholic youth of rotorua - place dear heart care afforded there in time of failing health, , because herself initiated founding of first catholic school in rotorua. school fitting legacy blessed edmund rice , efforts of christian brothers.

early staff