Brief History 1924 The school is opened by T.W. Ratana. It is a two roomed building built by voluntary labour on land donated by Mr Ratana. The school is known as Te Kura o Ratana 1927 Responsibility for running the school is handed over to the Methodist Maori Mission. 1933 The Government finally agrees to take over the running of the school from the 1st of February. The school is designated as Ratana Pa Native School. 1934 T.W. Ratana donates 4 acres of land for the relocation and building of a new school. 1936 Ratana Pa Native School opens on it's present site. 1938 Another classroom is added to the school. Prime Minister Michael J Savage visits the school. Students attend the opening of the Manuao. 1950 The school is designated as Ratana Pa Maori School. 1952 New Classroom Block built, it contains Manual Training facilities. It is opened by Te Puhi o Aotea Ratahi and Iriaka Ratana. 1969 The school is designated as Ratana School. 1974 School community celebrates 50th Jubilee. 1985 One school classroom is made available to Wharemarama Te Kohanga Reo. 1986 The first Bilingual Unit is set up in the school. 1989 Under Tomorrow Schools the School is now governed by an elected Board of Trustees. 1992 The Whare Marama Te Kohanga Reo building is opened on the school site. 1996 School becomes total immersion operating in the medium of Te Reo Maori at Level 1 (81 - 100%). 1999 School community celebrates 75th Jubilee. 2000 Name of the school officially changed to Te Kura o Ratana.
