Dobson Site Blackball Site
'Creating successful citizens empowered to learn'
Nau Mai, Tauti Mai ki ngā Kura o Paparoa Range
Welcome to Paparoa Range School
Paparoa Range is a U2 school. We cater to students from Year 1 to Year 8. We have three classrooms at the Dobson Site, and one classroom at Blackball Site.
Paparoa Range School Dobson Site is located 10 km inland east from Greymouth. The Dobson Site students come from Dobson, Kaiata, Taylorville, Stillwater, and Ngahere. The school owns and operates our own bus and has a minivan.
Paparoa Range School Blackball Site is 24 km northeast of Greymouth and services our Grey Valley students. The two school sites are 18 kms apart. Blackball site students come mainly from Blackball and Atarau. A Ministry school bus also operates from Atarau to Blackball.
Paparoa Range School was established in 2005 following on from a District Network Review by the Ministry of Education. Brunnerton, Kaiata, and Stillwater schools merged into the Brunnerton site at Dobson, and the Blackball School became a satellite school of Paparoa Range.
The buildings at the Dobson site consist of six permanent teaching spaces, library, a multi-purpose room, administration block, covered swimming pool and a community hall across the road. We have a refurbished Learning Support Coordinators Office and the Blackball Site is available to be booked by the community to use. The school grounds have been upgraded. The Blackball site consists of two classroom spaces, a library and an administration area.
Matatika/Honesty ... Manaakitanga/Respect ... Hiringa/Perseverance ... Auahatanga/Creativity
Principal's Welcome
Kia ora tātou,
Haere mai ki te kura o Paparoa Range - Welcome to Paparoa Range School.
As a school, we are privileged to have outstanding staff who are dedicated to the academic, cultural, social and sporting needs of our tamariki.
I am proud to lead a kura where our tamariki are at the heart of everything we do. At Paparoa Range School we are committed to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where every student is encouraged to thrive and reach their full potential.
Our unique kura spans two sites, Blackball and Dobson, and while they are geographically separate, they are deeply connected. Both sites share the same vision, curriculum and resources, and our staff, students and whānau work together to create a strong, unified school community.
As a school, we aim to provide a well rounded education that equips our tamariki with the skills and confidence they need to navigate the world. Our localised curriculum celebrates the rich history and natural beauty of the West Coast, while also preparing students to learn through experiences and develop a connection with the environment.
The small size of Paparoa Range School is one of our greatest strengths. It allows us to truly know each of our tamariki and their whānau. We warmly welcome you to visit, connect with our team and experience the character of Paparoa Range School. If you have any questions, or would like to learn more about our school, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Ngā manaakitanga
Hamish Lancaster