A Short History

Upper Harbour Primary School opened its doors for learning in February 2006.  It was the vision of the Establishment Board of Trustees and Foundation Principal, to have a 21st Century School with strong community partnership with the families of the Fernbank, Schnapper Rock and The Oaks neighbourhoods. So with our 89 pupils and 10 teaching staff, Upper Harbour Primary School was launched!  We are now a vibrant learning community just under 400 students and growing.  

The school buildings were thoughtfully designed with the needs of the 21st Century Learner at the centre.  Each block of four classrooms open up into a shared communal area called the Awhina Space,  promoting team teaching and flexible grouping between learners.  Every Upper Harbour classroom is equipped with numerous eLearning tools, to engage and stimulate our learners to innovate, create and problem solve for the present and for their future.  

Our buildings are environmentally friendly!  Rain water from the roofs is collected and used to water our gardens and flush our loos!  The lights are on automatic sensors and our windows respond to the weather by opening and closing, ensuring good ventilation for powerful learning. 

Our school backs on to Lady Pheonix Reserve and provides our learners with a wonderful natural laboratory to investigate, explore and develop their scientific thinking and their conservationist inkings.  

Our school grounds are filled with native trees and bushes lovingly cared for by our students, community and caretaker.  We have a playground, with a second more challenging playground being planned for in the very near future.  Along with the playground we have enclosed courts, sports fields and a very popular sand pit.