In 2005 Grantlea School merged with Seadown School to become Grantlea Downs. This resulted from an Area Review which focused on rationalizing the educational facilities in South Canterbury.

Grantlea School first began on the site in 1959 as Timaru began to grow to the north. Seadown School has a considerably longer history, having provided education in the area since 1890. The merger of the two schools was a harmonious one with both communities being fully committed to the continued success of a school on the Grants Road site, combining the names to establish Grantlea Downs School.

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While somewhat hidden from the road, Grantlea Downs is set on spacious grounds with the Te Ahi Tarakihi Creek on its northern boundary, where the students have recently planted over 200 natives in conjunction with ECAN and the Timaru District Council.

 

Our school has a healthy roll of 320 students, catering for a diverse community.  We are governed by an enrolment zone and a bus transport zone (delivered by the Aoraki School Transport Network - ASTN) to the north, around the Seadown district.

 

We are a very well resourced U5 school that is part of the Ka Ora, Ka Ako - Healthy School Lunch programme and the Timaru South Kahui Ako.  We have a part-time SWIS (Social Worker in School), Starlight Counsellor and we are the host school for the  South Canterbury RTLit.

 

Our school is a full primary (Year 1-8) operating 14 classrooms, organised into four learning teams with a Principal, Deputy Principal and Assistant Principal. We are well resourced with Teacher Aide Learning Support and employ our own school lunch team.

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