The origins of the school are in Petone, near Lower Hutt. In 1905, a secondary school, Petone District High School was added to Petone (primary) School which served a growing population employed in the Gear Meat Works and Railway Workshops. Lower Hutt School, in Alicetown, became the Hutt District High School between 1912 and 1925. From 1910, urban growth encouraged citizens to lobby the council for a local school. of land was bought in 1915 and in 1926, the school moved to its current site on Woburn Rd, as an amalgamation of Petone District High School and Hutt District High School. As the new buildings were not completed, the 164 foundation pupils were initially accommodated at Petone Technical School. By 1928, construction was completed and the roll had grown to 294.