One of New Zealand's Leading Anglican Girls' Schools
In 1909, Mrs May Whitehorn established Sonning School in a small home in Milton Street, Hamilton.
Sonning School began with only four pupils, however as the roll increased the school moved to larger premises in Anglesea Street.
The school outgrew these premises also and land was purchased and a new school built on the eastern side of the railway bridge. This school was named Sonning after the Berkshire Village from which the Whitehorn family originated.
The first Bishop of the Waikato, Cecil Cherrington, had a vision of an Anglican Girls School in Hamilton. The Waikato Board for Diocesan Schools, formed in 1927, leased Sonning School from Mrs Whitehorn and then, in 1929, bought property at the current site in River Road, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Waikato Diocesan School was officially opened in 1928 with a roll of 13 boarders and 70 day girls. The school opened at its permanent site in 1930, consisting of its flagship building, Cherrington, the Homestead, a barn, which was used as both hall and chapel, and open air classrooms.
The school has continued to grow and has had 11 principals, and now has a roll of around 650 students.
Do you have any Dio sports memorabilia that you would like to donate to the school? Please contact our Archivist: smellsopp@waikatodiocesan.school.nz or phone +6478552038 ext 2770
|