About Knapdale School

Kia ora and welcome to Knapdale School's webpage.

Knapdale School is a rural school in Eastern Southland. Situated 10 minutes north of Gore.  Knapdale School is nestled in viewing distance of the Hokonui Hills and Mataura River.

We are well supported by our rural community with the school playing a major part of its proud history for the last 140 years. We have access to a school pool, a school bus and use of the Knapdale Hall when we need it.

We are a full primary (Year 0-8) with a wide catchment, with the majority of our tamariki coming to school via our school bus. We are a U2 school with 65 tamariki who come from a range of backgrounds and cultures. The school’s values of Respect (Whakaute), Responsibility (Kawenga) and Resilience (Aumangea) play a major part in ensuring that there is a caring environment in which all of our tamariki can thrive.

We have a wonderfully supportive community and school whanau who are committed to ensuring that we are well equipped for quality teaching and learning.

We have an exceptional staff that are dedicated to ensuring that our students receive the best education possible.

We have Google Apps for Education. Students in the two senior rooms have their own email and all students have access to technology in their classrooms. Teaching them about their digital footprint is an important aspect of their learning in this day and age. Ultimately, we want all of our tamariki to leave Knapdale as proud life-long learners, who show respect, responsibility and resilience in all of the choices and decisions that they make.

Please have a look around our website and if you have any questions, then please feel free to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you. 

Raewyn Ramage - Principal 

Term Dates 2026

Term 1 - Wednesday 28 January - Friday 3rd April

Term 2 - Monday 20 April - Friday 3rd July

Term 3 - Monday 20 July - Friday 25 September

Term 4 - Monday 12 October - Friday 11 December