About Glendowie
Welcome / Kia ora
On behalf of our community, I am pleased to welcome you and hope that your exploration of our website will capture the vibrant nature of our school. I also hope you will glean some understanding of how our school is a special place for our students, their teachers, and the wider community.
Glendowie School is situated in an absolutely beautiful location, overlooking the Tamaki Estuary in Auckland’s Eastern Suburbs. Many of our students walk or ride to school from the surrounding neighbourhood, which is a wonderful place to grow up with large parks and quiet streets.
Learning at our school has a New Zealand focus with an international perspective. We run the IB PYP Curriculum to Year 6 and the IB MYP to Year 8. Both curriculums combined key elements of our local history and geography. Teachers provide a balance of student-led inquiry with teacher directed instruction, meaning our students are supported in acquiring relevant skills then taking action with these skills in purposeful ways.
If you think you would like to join our community as either a student, parent or staff member please get in touch with any questions you might have.
Thank you for your interest in our school.
Noho ora mai,
Paul Crowhurst | Principal
About Us
Glendowie School is a quality and high performing school in the Eastern Suburbs of Auckland. We are a full primary school catering for children aged 5 to 13 years of age.
Our school is recognised as one which focuses on providing the very best education for our students who are taught within an environment of significant resources, quality facilities and by committed, exceptional teachers.
Our school is a state authorised International Baccalaureate School (IB) offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Year 7 and 8. This allows the school to deliver an International and National Curriculum.
Glendowie School was first opened in 1952. Our Montessori Unit was established in 1995 and caters for students from Years 1-8 whose parents have chosen this Montessori pathway for their children. Our Sommerville special class was started in 1990 for children with special needs. The school hosts this unit which supports these children to learn and play within a mainstream school environment.
Our school has undergone significant changes. In 2011, during the school holidays, the school had a major fire which resulted in us needing to replace or modernise many of the existing buildings. The school’s development has seen roll growth, increased and improved resources that focus on providing quality learning, and opportunities for all our students to develop as life-long learners.
Glendowie School is situated in the beautiful Eastern Suburbs, about 15 minutes from the centre of Auckland. Our school is surrounded by parks, reserves and overlooks the Tamaki Estuary. It is in close proximity to Eastern Bay beaches and the neighbouring suburb of St Heliers. The school is surrounded by quality high schools and early childhood centres.
Glendowie School is a “We Care” school which places the highest priority on providing a quality teaching and learning programme. Our students will become confident, compassionate, life-long learners, encouraged to achieve their full potential by actively participating in our country and as citizens of the world.
- Modern classrooms with contemporary furnishings
- Full size gymnasium
- Mini hall
- Adventure playground
- Swimming pool
- Playing fields
- Astroturf
- Science and Technology Centre
Primary Years Programme (PYP) of the International Baccalaureate (IB)
In 2006, Glendowie School became an IB school implementing the Primary Years Programme (PYP). The school was authorised in November 2006.
The International disciplinary approach of the PYP fosters the development of the whole child. A strong emphasis is placed on high academic standards, international understanding and responsible citizenship, the development of critical and compassionate thinkers, and the skills, attitudes and attributes for our children to become lifelong learners.
The curriculum focuses on the 5 elements of knowledge, skills, approaches to learning, concepts and meaningful action which are integrated into all learning programmes.
For more information – IB brochure.
Middle Years Programme (MYP) of the International Baccalaureate (IB)
Glendowie School is a Candidate School for the Middle Years Programme. This means our school is pursuing authorisation as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy – a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Glendowie believes is important for our students.
We expect to be a fully authorised MYP school by mid-2026.
Please find attached the current Strategic Plan.
Glendowie Staff are highly professional in their focus on caring for and supporting our students. Our teachers are recognised for their commitment, their specialist knowledge, their personal inquiries into improved teaching and learning practice, and their focus on student progress and achievement. Glendowie is also very fortunate to be well resourced by a large team of non-teaching staff both in learning support and property and office administration.
A wide range of opportunities are available for parents to discuss their child’s learning including parent teacher conferences, student led conferences, meetings with our Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and Learning Support Coordinator (LSC), and by arranging appointments through the office for additional meetings.
For more information: Click Here
Education Review Office:
1294 Glendowie School External Evaluation (ERO Report 2018)
A copy of our latest ERO Report is also available on line at: www.ero.govt.nz or at the School Office.
PYP Evaluation Report:
Click here to Get the Information Pack PDF