This Community is characterised by older type housing, much of which has been renewed and renovated. There are a number of small businesses in the area with the major employer being Health South at the nearby Timaru Hospital. There is a wide range of occupations with several self employed trades people and in the main parents of children attending the School are semi-skilled workers.

During the 1990’s some commercial development (The Warehouse and Countdown) has occurred in the School area which is encouraging for both the Community and the School.

In many families one parent works full time and the other (usually the mother) works part time. There is some unemployment among the parents and a number of solo parent families. For these reasons it is often difficult for families to be represented at evening meetings and it is necessary to give careful thought to developing a variety of consultative techniques to discuss parent and community concerns or suggestions for inclusion in school policy.

The community recognizes the School as an important institution in its midst and is very supportive of the school. Therefore, it is seen as very important to retain and promote liaison between the Community and the School. It is important that the School is “seen” in the Community and has a high profile.

Many of the children who enrol at the School at the age of five have attended Hanan Kindergarten or Kowhai Kindergarten. 2005 has been the first year since 1974 that the school has been a Full Primary School and new liaison with the local secondary schools has been made. Positive liaison between both  institutions is seen as very important.

Many local facilities, organizations and areas are available as resources to enhance children’s learning – Century Indoor Swimming Pool, Botanical Gardens, Saltwater Creek Waterway, local businesses, seafront and beaches.