History of St Mary MacKillop Catholic School

Mary MacKillop School for Year 0-8 Boys and Girls was officially opened in 2000.  The opening roll was less than 150.  The School was the realization of local Catholic parishioners of St. Therese and St. Anthony for almost forty years.

Prior to the opening of the School, parishioners families attended the Catholic Schools in Onehunga, Otahuhu and Papatoetoe.  The majority attended local state schools either by choice or were unable to attend Catholic Schools due to roll restrictions at the time.

A Catholic School for Mangere
An establishment Board was set up in 1999, comprising of seconded members of both parishes as well as Sr Aquinne, Sr Lucille and Neil Laurenson from the Catholic Education Board

Naming of the new Catholic School
Discussions took place as to the name of the School and initial suggestions from the two parishes were Divine Mercy, St Mary, St Joseph and Mary MacKillop School.  The two parishes eventually chose Divine Mercy and Mary MacKillop.  Due to a split difference, it was agreed Bishop Pat Dunn will make the final decision.  Mary MacKillop was agreed upon to be the Patron Saint of our School as her Australasian link would be significant.

In 2010 the school name was altered to become St Mary MacKillop Catholic School.