About us

School History

St Patrick’s School

After the establishment of the Inglewood Catholic Church in 1899 a young Irish priest, Father James McKenna, purchased a hall on the corner of Richmond and Carrington Streets and in 1906 established a Catholic School for Inglewood.  He named it St Patrick’s School. The existing school was built on its present site in 1926.

The Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions were at St Patrick’s School for over 73 years  until 1979.  Lay teachers began teaching at St Patrick’s in 1967.  In 1989 St Patrick’s became an Integrated State School in line with  most other Catholic Schools in New Zealand.

St Patrick

St Patrick has many legends surrounding his love for the people and the church.  He is the Patron Saint of Ireland.

Legend has it that Saint Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity—The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit.

We celebrate the Feast of Saint Patrick every year on the 17th March.

Sacred Heart Parish

The parish is an integral part of our school and plays a vital and supportive role in our school community.  Sacred Heart Parish is part of the North Taranaki Pastoral area.  We have continuing support from our Parish and on-going communication exists between the two.  The Parish contributes three nominated people onto our Board of Trustees.  Our local Priest, Father Brian Carmine is based in Waitara however he celebrates mass in Inglewood, as well as at our school in the hall.  Sacred Heart Parish is part of the wider Taranaki cluster of Catholic Churches.

School Charism- What makes us who we are? 

The charism underpins all we do at school, it is woven into daily life and talked about with the children regularly.

Sisters of Our Lady of the Mission

Our school charism has been developed through our association with the Mission Sisters who were the first to teach in our school.  Euphrasie Barbier was a nun that came to New Zealand from France to start up Catholic schools.  She believed it was her calling with the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions to provide education.   It was the sisters that travelled to Inglewood to teach at St Patrick's School in 1906.

Classroom names have meaning. 

Barbier- named after Euphrasie Barbier. She believed it was her calling with the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions to provide education. It was the Sisters that travelled to Inglewood to teach at St Patrick’s School in 1906

Aubert- Suzanne Aubert was a Catholic sister who started a home for orphans and the under-privileged in Jerusalem, 1885. Well known for particularly caring for the poor, vulnerable and the maori children.

Genesis - The first chapter in the bible

Our FAITH school values which build connections and understanding with the Gospel values and scripture. 

F - Forgiveness (Murunga hara)

A- Aroha (Love)

I - Integrity (Mana)

T - Tiaki (Care) 

H- Hauora (Wellbeing) 

School Houses

Pompallier House (Blue) named after Bishop Pompallier - one of the first bishops in New Zealand

Mission House (Green) named after Sisters of Our Lady of the Mission who formed our school.

Richmond House (Yellow) named after where the school was originally built.  Around the area of the fire station.  The school was next to a railway line with a very little grass area.