Our School History
St Pius X School opened on 7th February 1952 and was staffed by the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. Their great work was carried on, in 1982, by the Mission Sisters.
The school is named St Pius X School after Pope Pius X who was the leader of the Catholic Church from 1903 until his death on August 20th 1914. St Pius X was considered a holy person by many. He often referred to his own humble origins, taking up the causes of poor people. “I was born poor, I lived poor, and I wish to die poor.” We celebrate the feast day of St Pius X on August 21st each year.
St Pius X School opened with a roll of 75 pupils with three classrooms. Classrooms One and Two had folding doors, which could be opened for Mass every Sunday.
By 1958 the school roll increased to 160 children. The roll then dropped with the departure of Form 1 and 2 boys to Francis Douglas Memorial College and then the roll dropped again when Sacred Heart College opened in 1970 to Intermediate and Secondary girls.
On 1st September 1963 St Philomena’s Church, which was adjacent to the school, was blessed and opened. Unfortunately in January 2014 a fire destroyed the beautiful church. This has now been replaced by Philomena Hall. We now have a strong link with the parishioners of the Catholic Parish of New Plymouth.
A new room was added to St Pius X School in 1973 and was blessed and opened by the then Parish Priest, Father Donaghue.
Currently the school has eight classroom learning spaces and a maximum roll of 190 students. In 2018/2019 the school had significant modifications creating the beautiful space we have now.
There are three main play areas for children – the adventure playground and hard court area at the front of the school, the back field area which lowers down to a turf and another hard court area.
Our school community is actively involved in all aspects of school life, led by our strong faith where we follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
