DESCRIPTION OF THE SCHOOL

John Paul II High School, Greymouth, New Zealand, is an integrated Roman Catholic, co-educational Year 9 to Year 13 (Form 3 - 7) school offering education with a special character.

Roll numbers are small and this gives all students the opportunity to develop their personal strengths in a school where the dedicated and professional staff know each student.

The school is located on the West Coast of New Zealand in the town of Greymouth. We are close to ski fields, fishing, tramping, mountain climbing, the Fox and Franz glaciers and many other outdoor sports. The Southern Alps are an hours drive away and the Westland area is serviced by scenic rail, bus and an airport in Hokitika. The air is clean and unpolluted and rain forest trees and bush abound. Many birds, including the kiwi, can be found on the West Coast.

New Zealand Kiwi

Click on this map for a link to a more detailed version of a map of New Zealand.

The Proprietor of the School (The Catholic Bishop of Christchurch) and the Minister of Education have signed an Integration Agreement for the school in terms of the Private Schools Conditional Integration Act, 1975.

John Paul II High School was founded in 1980 from the amalgamation of two schools (Marist Brothers Boys’ School and St Mary’s High School) which had been serving the Grey District for many years.

The Marist Brothers and the Sisters of Mercy catered for the Catholic education needs of earlier generations. Although the staff is now made up of nearly all lay people, these Orders have left their mark on the Special Character of the school.