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NewzSchools · Aotearoa New Zealand

Full Primary · State

Thornton School

Whakatane · Bay of Plenty Region

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Figures on this page come from the New Zealand Ministry of Education school directory export dated 1 September 2026, with roll and ethnicity recorded at the same snapshot. Always confirm enrolment, zoning and fees directly with the school. About this directory

At a glance

About Thornton School

Thornton School is a co-educational full primary school in Whakatane, within the Bay of Plenty Region, operating in the state sector, with 163 students on roll, and an Equity Index of 451. The school has been open since 1912.

With 163 students on roll, Thornton School is a medium-sized school — larger than about 40% of New Zealand schools. Its rural setting typically means smaller class groups and a close-knit community feel.

The school's Equity Index is 451, which is below the national average of 463. A lower Equity Index signals less socio-economic need in the school's community than the national norm.

82.7% of students identify as European, so the school has a strongly homogeneous roll. Students of Asian descent make up 13.5%.

On the isolation index the school scores 1.12 (high isolation) — this measures how far students travel and how accessible the school is, not how good it is.

Students by ethnicity

European 110 · 82.7%
Pasifika 3 · 2.3%
Asian 18 · 13.5%
Middle Eastern / Latin American / African 2 · 1.5%

Total roll recorded: 163 students, from the 2026 roll census. Percentages may not sum to exactly 100% because of rounding and students who decline to state an ethnicity.

Roll in context

163Students on rollLarger than 40% of NZ schools · national median 215.5
451Equity IndexBelow national mean of 463
0.58Diversity scoreHigher = more mixed roll (max 1.95)
1.12Isolation indexhigh isolation
344 · lowest need569 · highest need

Location

Bay of Plenty Region
Whakatane 37.9253° S · 176.8633° E
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Nearby schools

Rangitaiki College – Te Kura Tuarua o RangitaikiEdgecumbe · Secondary (Year 9-15) 5.7 km Edgecumbe SchoolEdgecumbe · Full Primary 5.8 km Whakatane Teen Parent UnitWhakatane · Teen Parent Unit 6.7 km Te Kura o Te ParoaWhakatane · Full Primary 7.4 km Awakeri SchoolWhakatane · Full Primary 8.3 km Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Orini ki Ngati AwaWhakatane · Composite 9.6 km

School information

  • School typeFull Primary
  • YearsYears 1–8
  • AuthorityState
  • GenderCo-Educational
  • SettingRural other
  • Territorial authorityWhakatane District
  • Education regionBay of Plenty, Waiariki
  • Regional councilBay of Plenty Region
  • Enrolment schemeNo — no enrolment scheme
  • BoardingDay school only
  • Language of instructionAll students taught in English/other setting
  • Cohort entryNo — individual entry
  • DonationsDonations should not be requested, unless for a school camp
  • Opened1912
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