Bream Bay College is a Year Seven to Thirteen State Co-educational, School with a student roll average of 660.
Click on Time Line below to view history through the years: Waipu District High School 1940 - 1972 Bream Bay College from 1972 to date.
| 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s |
| 1989 ROLL | 1950 YEAR BOOK | Roll 1939 - 2000 |
The College is situated in the centre of Ruakākā, next to the local shopping centre. It serves this community, along with the area of Waipū to the south (a community with a strong Scottish heritage), One Tree Point, Ruakākā, the Marae-based community of Takahiwai to the North and the farming communities inland.
The College was established on its present site in 1972 replacing Waipū District High School. Our main contributing schools are based at Waipū
, One Tree Point and Ruakākā.
The College’s Māori and Scottish heritage is evident throughout and has been woven into the organisational structure for pastoral care by linking four Scottish areas with the concept of Whānau to create the basis of the inter-house competition.
Time Line of the History of the College:
1939: Consolidation of 5 local primary schools onto St Mary’s Rd site. A secondary department with 15 students was added in Term 2.
1940: Waipū District High School was officially opened on 18th June by the Minister of Education, the Honourable Peter Fraser. The total roll was 180 students.
1946: The old Cove School building was shifted onto the St Mary’s Rd site and was set up as the Homecraft Centre.
1950: A new 2-class primer block was built
1952: A Woodwork and Metalwork room was built.
1954: Land was purchased in neighbouring Argyle St. Building commenced on a new secondary block.
1956: The new secondary block was opened.
1963: Barbara McKenzie became the first former WDHS student to graduate from university. McBIRNEY Helen Shepherd
1964: McBIRNEY Ian Todd
1965: McBIRNEY Judy Sanderson
1966: McBIRNEY Peter Sutton
1967: McBIRNEY Richard Mason
1968: The Education Board announced that a new secondary school was to be built at Ruakākā. This led to intense lobbying from angry Waipū
residents who did not want the school moved from Waipū. DUX Brendon Slako & Keith Gayford, McBIRNEY Vicki Bradley
1969: Headmaster Mr H L Baxter. McBIRNEY Nigel McGymsey
1970: Headmaster Mr H L Baxter. DUX Thomas Powell, McBIRNEY William Woods
1971: Headmaster Mr H L Baxter. DUX McBIRNEY Tony Cochrane
1972: Waipū District High School renamed Bream Bay College. The Ministry of Education decided that a Form 3 – 6 school would remain at Waipū
before shifting to Ruakākā as a Form 1 – 7 school. DUX Christopher Lear, McBIRNEY S. Still-M-Green
1973: Headmaster Mr W B Aston. Building of the new secondary school commenced on the Marsden Point Rd site. DUX Brett Dyer, McBIRNEY Meg Cochrane
1974: Principal W B Aston, Deputy Principal D R Onley, Senior Mistress Mrs J N McGregor. Bream Bay College opened. Waipū Primary School moved into the old secondary school rooms in Argyll St. DUX Shaun Dyke, McBIRNEY Sally Anne Smith
1975: Principal W B Aston, Deputy Principal D R Onley, Senior Mistress Mrs J N McGregor. DUX Shaun Dyke, McBIRNEY Moetu Morunga
1976: Principal W B Aston, Deputy Principal: D.R Olney, Senior Mistress: Mrs J N McGregor, DUX Janice Newland, McBIRNEY Stephen Dickinson
1977: Principal W B Aston, Deputy Principal D R Onley, Senior Mistress Mrs J N McGregor. Bream Bay College Administration Block was opened. DUX Stephen Peeters, McBIRNEY Brian Whimp
1978: Principal W B Aston, Deputy Principal D R Onley, Senior Mistress Mrs J N McGregor. DUX Matthew Noakes, McBIRNEY Patricia Dickinson
1979: Principal W B Aston, Deputy Principal D R Onley, Senior Mistress Mrs J N McGregor. DUX Kerry MacKay, McBIRNEY Sheree Forshaw
1980: Principal W B Aston, Deputy Principal D R Onley, Senior Mistress Mrs J N McGregor. DUX Paul Tudor, McBIRNEY Kim Denny
1981: Principal W B Aston, Deputy Principal D R Onley, Senior Mistress Mrs J N McGregor. DUX S. Lynch & J Barnett, McBIRNEY M Abercrombie - R Vercoe
1982: Principal W B Aston, Deputy Principal D R Onley, Senior Mistress Mrs J N McGregor. DUX Russell Pirihi, McBIRNEY Russell Pirihi
1983: Principal W B Aston, Deputy Principal D R Onley, Senior Mistress Mrs J N McGregor. DUX Karen Singleton, McBIRNEY Layne Waerea
1984: Principal W B Aston, Deputy Principal D R Onley, Senior Mistress Mrs J N McGregor. DUX Gary Nicholson, McBIRNEY Margaret Aston
1985: Principal W B Aston, Deputy Principal D R Onley, Senior Mistress Mrs J N McGregor & Miss R A Hasnip. DUX Andrew Gordon, McBIRNEY David Slyfield
1986: Principal W B Aston, Deputy Principal D R Onley, Senior Mistress Miss R A Hasnip. DUX Mark Roos, McBIRNEY Megan McCracken
1987: Principal W B Aston, Deputy Principal D R Onley, Senior Mistress Mrs S D Knowles. The Auditorium opened. DUX Petar Misic, McBIRNEY Grant Christie
1988: Principal W B Aston, Deputy Principal D R Onley, Senior Mistress Mrs S D Knowles. DUX John Bronlund, McBIRNEY Anna Sloane
1989: Principal J E Flight, Deputy Principal Mr C J Day, Assistant Principal Mrs S D Knowles. Tomorrows Schools reforms saw the Board of Governors replaced by the new Board of Trustees. Mr Craig Brown became the first chairman. DUX Marijn Weehuizen, McBIRNEY Marshall Walton
1990: Principal J E Flight, Deputy Principal Mr C J Day, Assistant Principal Mrs S D Knowles. DUX Colin Ogle, McBIRNEY Colin Ogle
1991: Principal J E Flight, Deputy Principal Mr C J Day, Assistant Principal Mrs S D Knowles. DUX Linley Pirihi, McBIRNEY Linley Pirihi
1992: Principal J E Flight, Deputy Principal Mr C J Day, Assistant Principal Mrs S D Knowles. DUX Sarah Tremain, McBIRNEY Sarah Tremain
1993: Principal J E Flight, Deputy Principal Mr C J Day, Assistant Principal Mrs S D Knowles. DUX Monique Levett, McBIRNEY Hannah Edge
1994: Principal J E Flight, Deputy Principal Mr C J Day, Assistant Principal Mrs S D Knowles. DUX Shane Bongard, McBIRNEY Sara Sheridan
1995: Acting Principal Mrs L Fox. DUX Bevan McKenzie, McBIRNEY Bevan McKenzie
1996: Principal Mr J Fitzgerald, Deputy Principal Mrs S Crawford, Assistant Principal Mr G Tuck. DUX Jeremy MCleod, McBIRNEY Kelly Fox
1997: Principal Mr J Fitzgerald, Deputy Principal Mrs S Crawford, Assistant Principal Mr G Tuck. DUX Jesses Duffield, McBIRNEY Oliver Edge
1998: Principal Mr J Fitzgerald, Deputy Principal Mrs S Crawford, Assistant Principal Mr G Tuck & Mr P Northey. DUX Diana Worthy, McBIRNEY Clare Stanbridge
1999: Principal Mr J Fitzgerald, Deputy Principal Mrs S Crawford, Assistant Principal Mr P Northey. DUX Serena Barclay, McBIRNEY Jane Lomas
2000: Principal Mr J Fitzgerald, Deputy Principal Mrs S Crawford, Assistant Principal Mr P Northey. Bilingual Unit opened for Years 7 – 8. DUX Susan McLean, McBIRNEY Bernice Drinnin
2001: Principal Mr W Buckland, Deputy Principal Mr P Northey, Assistant Principal Mr M Bayer, Mr E Hansen & Mrs V Gardener. DUX Ruby Mitchell, McBIRNEY Ruby Mitchell
2002: Principal Mr W Buckland, Deputy Principal Mr P Northey, Assistant Principal Mr M Bayer, Mr E Hansen & Mrs V Gardener. DUX Shane Barclay, McBIRNEY Charlotte Jones
2003: Principal Mr W Buckland, Deputy Principal Mr P Northey, Assistant Principal Mr M Bayer, Mr E Hansen & Mrs V Gardener. DUX Greg Hemingway, McBIRNEY Finn Scott
2004: Principal Mr W Buckland, Deputy Principal Mr P Northey, Assistant Principal Mr M Bayer, Mr E Hansen & Mrs V Gardener. DUX Cass Mitchell, McBIRNEY Deborah Buckland
2005: Principal Mr W Buckland, Deputy Principal Mr P Northey, Assistant Principal Mr M Bayer, Mr E Hansen & Mrs V Gardener. DUX Kate Crook, McBIRNEY Katie Goodall
2006: Principal Mr W Buckland, Deputy Principal Mr M Bayer, Mr E Hansen & Mrs V Gardener. The Student Welfare Centre opened. The building, formally the Seaman’s Mission from Marsden Point, was purchased by the Board of Trustees and moved to the BBC site. DUX Sandra Cullen & Natalie Walker, McBIRNEY Sandra Cullen
2007: Principal Mr W Buckland, Deputy Principal Mr M Bayer, Mr E Hansen & Mrs V Gardener. DUX Teriana Maheno, McBIRNEY Rory Taylor
2008: Principal Mr W Buckland, Deputy Principal Mr M Bayer, Mr E Hansen, R Nathan & Mrs V Gardener. New Astro turf Surface. DUX Paula Cullen, McBIRNEY Daniel Crawford
2009: Principal Mr W Buckland, Deputy Principal Mr M Bayer, Mr E Hansen & R Nathan. The opening of the Performing Arts Block. DUX Renee Bayer & Sheridan Webb, McBIRNEY Renee Bayer
2010: Principal Mr W Buckland, Deputy Principal Mr M Bayer, Mr E Hansen, R Nathan & A Dalgliesh. The Shade for the Performing Arts Area was installed. DUX Demi Mitchell, McBIRNEY Demi Mitchell
2011: Principal Mr W Buckland, Deputy Principal Mr M Bayer, R Nathan & A Dalgliesh. DUX Samantha Ellis, McBIRNEY Siobhan Hayward
2012: Principal Mr W Buckland, Deputy Principal Mr M Bayer, R Nathan & A Dalgliesh. DUX Sarah Buckland, McBIRNEY Sarah Buckland
2013: Principal Mr W Buckland, Deputy Principal Mr M Bayer, R Nathan & A Dalgliesh. DUX Kelly Gillingham, Danielle Newton & Jaime Newton, McBIRNEY Kelly Gillgham
2014: Principal Mr W Buckland, Deputy Principal Mr M Bayer, R Nathan & A Dalgliesh. New Toilets. DUX Tessa Paton, McBIRNEY Rebecca Lucas
2015: Principal Mr W Buckland, Deputy Principal Mr M Bayer, R Nathan, S Hayward & A Dalgliesh. DUX Anna Worthington, McBIRNEY Anna Worthington
2016: Principal Mr W Buckland, Deputy Principal Mr M Bayer, R Nathan, S Hayward & A Dalgliesh. Out Door Gym Equiptment purchased. McBIRNEY Jayden Rudolph
2017: Principal Mr W Buckland, Deputy Principal Mr M Bayer, R Nathan, S Hayward & A Dalgliesh. DUX Katie Worthington, McBIRNEY Katie Worthington
2018: Principal Mr W Buckland, Deputy Principal Mr M Bayer, R Nathan, S Hayward & A Dalgliesh. New Whare completed with Open Classroom learning, kitchen and meeting rooms. DUX Siobhan McDonald, McBIRNEY Ceili Lea
2019: Principal Mr W Buckland, Deputy Principal Mr M Bayer, R Nathan, S Hayward & A Dalgliesh. Computer system moved to the Cloud. Panimals received a $5000 Grant from MOE. DUX Conor Hall, McBIRNEY Jamie Lymburn
2020: Principal Mr W Buckland, Deputy Principal Mr M Bayer, R Nathan, S Hayward & A Dalgliesh. DUX Jack Boakes, McBIRNEY Kayla Carter & Jack Boakes
2021: Principal Mr W Buckland, Deputy Principal Mr M Bayer, S Molloy, S Hayward, J Shelford & A Dalgliesh. DUX Ryan Andrews, McBIRNEY Ryan Andrews
2022: Principal Mr W Buckland, Deputy Principal Mr M Bayer, S Molloy, S Hayward, J Shelford & A Dalgliesh. DUX Mirabella Uphof, McBIRNEY Mirabella Uphof
2023: Principal Mr J Cosgrove, Deputy Principal Mr M Bayer, S Molloy, S Hayward & J Shelford. DUX James Lewis, McBIRNEY Jessica Andrews
2024: Principal Mr J Cosgrove, Deputy Principal Mr M Bayer, S Molloy, S Hayward & J Shelford. DUX Sabine Barratt, McBIRNEY Lila McEvoy
2025: Principal Mr J Cosgrove, Deputy Principal Mr M Bayer, S Molloy, S Hayward & J Shelford. DUX Henry Pirihi, McBIRNEY Robyn Ruha
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOLS
Waipū CENTRAL SCHOOL 1857-1939
The first school to be opened in the district was Waipu Central School. It was opened in 1857 with a roll of 50 students. Initially, lessons were held in the Waipu Church and houses of some of the early settlers. A small room was attached to the church to serve as a residence for Mr Morrison, the first teacher.
In 1876, settlers built a separate school building on a site behind and to the right of the Monument. Today, this building, now located alongside the Presbyterian Church, is still used for Sunday School. The dividing doors that separated the two classrooms were removed and erected in the Caledonian Hall. The doors separated the dining area from the main hall, and are still in use today.
A new school building was erected in 1924 on St Mary’s Rd. When the school closed in 1939 due to consolidation, it had a roll of 72 students. Headmasters of Waipū Central School prior to consolidation included M.H.V. Hall, W.N. Ingram, J.G. Gasparich, A.E. Reynolds, E.H. Mackay, and H.B. Abercrombie.
In 1939, the Waipū Central School buildings were altered to provide two classrooms and a science laboratory for the secondary department of the newly established Waipū District High School.
North River School 1860 - 1939
The North River School was built in 1860, with Mr G.M. Fraser as its teacher. At that stage about 95% of the students would have spoken Gaelic as their first language. Students had to walk up to 6km along muddy tracks to get to the school, and the ages of these students ranged from 5 to 18 years of age. The roll of this school was around 40 – 50 students for several decades, but from 1910, never exceeded 30 students
A total of 62 young men and 2 women served overseas in the two World Wars. Of these, 15 made the ultimate sacrifice.
On consolidation, a Roll of Honour was presented to the new consolidated school listing the names of 42 old boys and 2 old girls who had served in World War One. The old school building was transported to One Tree Point where it served for many years as a Public Hall.
The Braigh School 1862 - 1939
The Braigh School opened in 1862 on a site beside the highway near the turn-off to Finlayson’s Brook. Originally named the Upper District School, it later became known as the Braigh School. The first teacher was Mr Hugh McKenzie. He had previously been a teacher in Cape Breton.
The Braigh School opened in 1862 with a roll of 40 students. At its height the roll grew to 80 students, and it was at 20 when the school closed in 1939.
In 1877 the school building was lengthened and a fireplace and chimney installed.
In 1907, the Braigh School celebrated its diamond jubilee with 300 old pupils attending on the day.
The Braigh School was the first school in the Auckland Province to be opened under the new Education Board system. When it closed in 1939, it was the oldest continuously occupied school building in New Zealand. Although additions had been made to it over the years, the original school building was still being used in 1939.
Waipū Cove School 1863 - 1939
Waipū Cove School opened in 1863 with a roll of over 30 students. The founding teacher was Mr Aeneas Morrison who had earlier established the Waipū Central School in 1857. The first school building was erected by the early settlers near the Pa on Boakes farm; it closed in 1867 when the Provincial Government withdrew a 50 pound subsidy of the teacher’s salary. A further school was built in 1870 on a low hill near Waipū Cove. It was a temporary structure as the land owner, Mr McGregor was insistent that the land revert to him when a proper school was built. A permanent building was finally opened in 1877 on the original site. When the school closed in1939, this building was transported to St Mary’s Rd behind the secondary block, where it became the cooking room. When the primary school moved to Argyle St, the building was sold and moved to South Rd, and is now the Tile Factory.
An early school roll illustrated how young men and women who were taking the opportunity to gain an education. On the roll was a young man of 22 and a young woman of 24 years of age.
Mata School 1898 - 1939
Mata School opened on July 12th 1889 in an old fishing shed at Springfield, before moving to a building nearby. The first teacher was Mr Walters, and there were 18 students. In 1911 the school moved to an old house next to the Mata Hall, before shifting into a new building in 1913. Here the school remained until it closed in 1939.
During the fifty years of its existence, Mata School changed form periods of having a fulltime teacher to periods when it was part-time with either Ruakākā or Springfield. For a time prior to consolidation in 1939, student numbers increased to the point that a second class was taught in the Mata Hall.
The Mata School building can still be seen today from the highway. It sits behind the Mata Hall, and is now used as a hay barn.
Richard Fleet’s School 1860 – 1870s
It is difficult to provide accurate information on this school as no written records from it survive today.
Richard Fleet’s school was situated on a tea-tree scrub hill beside a bridle track between Waipū and Ruakākā, close to where SH1 now passes over the Lagoon bridge south of Marsden Point Rd. The school opened around 1860, and closed in the late 1870s. The teacher was Mr Richard Fleet, who had his home near to where the school building was located.
Children from the Prescott, Ruddell and Serjeant families of Ruakākā attended the school. When it closed, most of the students then went to North River School.
Bream Tail School 1898 - 1919
Few records exist about this school. Bream Tail School opened in 1889 to provide an education for the children in the southern area of Bream Bay. Due to the poor state of the road, the children could not access nearby Waipū Cove School. Some of the students had to walk up to 7 km to get to the school along muddy tracks.
Because of the small number of students, Bream Tail School became a half-time school along with Cove School. Between 1899 and 1919, each school was open for 3 days a week, with the same teacher conducting both schools.
When it closed in 1919, the small number of students at the school transferred to nearby Waipū Cove School.
Marsden Point School 1914 - 1928
Marsden Point School opened in 1914 at Marsden Point to provide an education for children living along the harbour shore who could not get to Ruakākā School because of the poor state of the roads. In 1915 the building, about 20 feet by 12 feet and constructed of corrugated iron, was moved to a more elevated position near Blacksmiths Creek. The roll at this point was 15 students.
The first teacher was Mr McGregor, who boarded with the Monro family. A later teacher was Miss Mary Chapman, who was also the local Postmistress. Miss Chapman had a Model T and would pick up children on the way to school – perhaps the first school bus in the district.
Due to a dwindling school roll and improved road access to Ruakākā, Marsden Point School closed in 1928.
Takahiwai School 1899 - 1973
The Native Schools Act 1867 allowed for establishment of primary schools for Māori students. Takahiwai School opened in 1899 as a Native school. As such, the Government provided much of the equipment and funding for the school. While the majority of the students were Māori, some Pakeha children attended as well.
In 1937, the school was relocated from its initial hillside location to a site down on the flats.
In 1963, Takahiwai School was reclassified as a Māori School, and came under the control of the Auckland Education Board.
Takahiwai School closed in 1973, with students transferring to either Bream Bay College or Ruakākā School. The school buildings are now part of the Takahiwai Marae Trust.
Waipū District High School 1939 - 1971
Headmasters: Mr S.B. Dunn 1940- 1942,
Mr C. Adams 1942-1945,
Mr R. Inglis 1945-1949,
Mr A. McKenzie 1949-1952,
Mr A.Baildon 1953-1957,
Mr Laird 1958-1959,
Mr N Smith 1960,
Mr S. McNichol 1961-1964,
Mr G. Berquist 1965-1968 &
Mr L.Baxter 1969-1971
The Waipū District High School badge incorporates the thistle and lion, which represent the Scottish-Nova Scotian origins of the Waipū
settlers, and the smallest ship ‘Spray’ represented the migration to Waipū
. The motto ‘Saorsa’ is Gaelic for freedom.
The McFarlane tartan was chosen for the school tie. There were several reasons for the decision. The Rev McFarlane was the minister for the Presbyterian Church in Waipū at that time, and he was a strong supporter of the consolidation of the schools. Also, as none of the Waipū
settlers were of McFarlane descent, no claims of favouritism could be made.
The students were divided into four houses for sporting competitions. The names of Sutherland, Argyll, Ross, and Inverness were chosen, representing four shires in the Scottish Highlands from which many of the settlers had originated.
Sunshine Block
Waipū District High School originally had two main buildings. The ‘sunshine’ block, which had four classrooms, two cloakrooms and a headmaster’s office, served as the primary school. The old primary school of two classrooms, with an additional science laboratory, served as the secondary school. There was also a dental clinic and bus garage.
In 1940, the old three-sided bus shelter from the Cove School was relocated to beside the bus garage. When a similar structure was added, it produced a low roofed shed that became the woodwork room, later to be known by students as the ‘dog box’.
In 1946, the old Cove School building was shifted to the St Mary’s Rd site, and became the Homecraft Centre for the girls.
A continual shortage of classroom space led to the Education Board building a two classroom Primer Block in 1950. Continued roll growth resulted in the School Committee requesting the Education Board to buy more land for additional buildings and playground. In 1954, the Board purchased land in Argyle Street, and a new secondary block was built. This block was opened in 1956 by the Hon R.M. Algie. In late 1954, a new swimming pool was opened on the school grounds. Until then, swimming lessons were held in the Waihoihoi River. For junior students, an 11 metre by 5 metre wooden pen, known as the ‘pig pen’, was built and lowered into the river to provide a safe swimming area.
KEY:
1. Stile on the boundary to provide access to the Waihoihoi River and the ‘pig pen’
2. Five oak trees, representing the five consolidating schools. One was later cut down to make way for Saorsa Village
3. Dental clinic
4. Two kauri trees planted when the District High School was officially opened in 1940
5. ‘Cuppy’ McLean’s house
6. New secondary block
7. Land purchased in 1963, presumably for an extended school
8. Bus garage
9. Sunshine Block
10. Classrooms – old secondary block
11. Primer block
12. ‘Dog Box’ – original Technical workshop made up of two old bus shelters joined together.
13. Homecraft Room (old Cove School)
14. Technical Training block
15. Caretaker’s shed
16. Swimming baths – opened in 1954
1977 - saw a new crest introduced. Mr W Aston designed the new crest with assistance from Ms Judy Mitchell, the Art Teacher. It depicted Mt Manaia and the Thistle to remind us of our Māori and Scots heritages and Captain Cook's vessel the "Endeavour", because of his naming of Bream Bay. No school motto was added though it was agreed that "Endeavour" would be a suitable one.
The tartan originally chosen for Waipū District High School.
Represented today in the red blazers and jerseys.
The tartan of Rev Norman McLeod, the founder of Waipū.
Represented today in the school sports shirts.
The Stewarts were the Royal family of Scotland. Hunting tartans were usually dark. This was the tartan chosen for the current school skirt.
