St Peter's College, Gore: Difference between revisions

St Peter's College
Address
121 Kakapo Street, Gore, New Zealand
Coordinates	46.1072°S 168.9245°E / -46.1072; 168.9245
Information
Type	Co-educational, Secondary (Year 7-13) with boarding facilities
Motto	Charity Fulfils the Law
Established	1969
Ministry of Education Institution no.	397
Principal	Mrs Kate Nicholson
School roll	387 (February 2024)
Socio-economic decile	8P
Website	stpetersgore.school.nz

St Peters College is a secondary school in the Gore district, Southland Region, New Zealand. A private co-ed school, St Peter's college was founded in 1969, becoming the first Catholic co-educational boarding school in New Zealand.

History

The idea of a Catholic Boys’ secondary school in Gore was that of long-serving parish priest Father Finlay (1947-1972). The 30-acre site of the college was gradually purchased during the 1950s and 1960s and appeals were launched in those decades for the construction of the school. In 1961, the Capuchin Fathers undertook to provide the staff and they became involved in the fund-raising activities in Gore. The first building work commenced with the object of opening the school in 1964. However, after the completion of the staff house and one dormitory, the Capuchins withdrew from the project. Fund-raising continued and in 1965 the Rosminian Order or the Insitute of Charity committed themselves to staff the school. The “advance guard” of Rosminians, Father S Marriott and Brother J Tadesco arrived and they worked with the “central committee” on the fund-raising project. A classroom block was built. In 1968 Father L Hurdidge was appointed Headmaster. At the time of his appointment he was Deputy Head at St Gregory’s College, Huddersfield which was a co-educational school. It was the decided that the new Gore school would be co-educational. The name of the School, St Peter’s, was adopted and it was agreed that it would be staffed by the Sisters of Mercy and the Rosminians. The college was opened by Bishop Kavanagh on 26 January 1969, commencing with classes Form 1-3 (Years 7-9). The first staff were: Fathers L Herdidge (Headmaster), J Buckner, B Hogan, Brothers J Tadesco, E Willett, J Wallace, Sisters Mary David (Senior Mistress), Mary Fidelus and Mary Stephena. The science block was completed soon after the school opened and later a gymnasium and two technical blocks were added. The school chapel was opened in 1978. The school became an integrated state secondary school on 1 February 1982. It was decided to build only one of the three proposed dormitory blocks, but a house bought on land in Kakapo Street opposite the school was renovated as a hostel for senior boys. It was named St Paul’s Without the Walls and known as St Paul’s. One important personality in the early years of the school was Brother Tedesco (“Brother Ted”). He was in charge of St Paul’s and his service to the wider community included being elected to the Gore Borough Council. The school is now completely lay-staffed.

College Houses

The school has four houses which divide the students into groups for events such as athletics, swimming, cultural and community events. They are: McAuley (blue), Rosmini (yellow), Finlay (green) and Pompallier (red). Mother Mary McAuley was the founder of the Sisters of Mercy. Antonio Rosmini was the founder of the Rosminians. Father Finlay was the parish priest of Gore who inspired the building of the college and Bishop Pompallier was the founder of the Catholic church in New Zealand It is tradition to keep the same house in family groups. Rosmini House also has its own set of two houses which the boarding students belong to. They are: Tedesco (orange) and Buckner (purple). Brother Tedesco (Brother Ted) was an important member of the original staff of the college and was in charge of St Paul's. Father Buckner was the third Headmaster of St Peter's College.

Academic

The college is one of the highest ranking in the southern region. In 2004 and 2006 the school was the highest achieving in Southland, according to NCEA results.

Notable Alumni

• Mike Puru - TV and radio personality at The Edge
• Cliff Joiner - Former TVNZ journalist and current executive producer for RadioLIVE
• Matt Saunders - Southland Stags and Highlanders rugby union player
• Hayley Saunders - Southern Steel netball player
• Ashleigh Smith - Southern Steel and former Canterbury Tactix netball player