Origins

Located in the heart of Auckland, Richmond Road School first opened in 1884 with Emma Fletcher as Principal. She had the added distinction of being the first female Principal in the Auckland Education Board area. The school gained international recognition in the 1960’s for its innovative work in literacy education. The teaching methods that were developed have since become standard practice in New Zealand schools. The schools history in bilingual education goes back to the 1970s when the bilingual language units Maori, Samoan and Cook Island Maori, were established along with their preschools.

The school remains committed to continuing bilingual education as well as ensuring that all children achieve high standards in all academic areas including excellence in English.

Today, Richmond Road School has 274 children of all ethnic origins, a true reflection of the cosmopolitan reality of this city within the Pacific, which is presently enjoying demographic and economic growth.

It is in the context of this multicultural education where differences are celebrated and personal identities respected that the Association Frenz School Inc chose to start a French-English Bilingual Unit.

In 1996, a french-english bilingual class was established, at Richmond Road school in Auckland. It was an initiative of the Frenz association, in collaboration with the school. This class caters for students of the 5 to 10 years age group, whose parents wish them to receive a bilingual french – english education. Maryse Varaine, a French native teacher, had agreed to teach a single class of 6 students of all levels.

In April 1997, the french bilingual class was added to the official list of foreign french educational establishments.

In March 1998, the french class was officially opened by the French Ambassador in New Zealand, M. Le Blanc.