Ukarumpa International School - History

History

Throughout the history of the school there has been an emphasis on preparing students for re-entry to their home country education systems. This has led to a steady broadening of the curriculum and the inclusion of Mother Tongue Studies when needed and staffing permitted. In 1962 the High School began with 5 pupils. They were Sharon Dean from Canada, Phillip Richards, Penny Kooyers, Sharon Price and Jean Price from USA. The three teachers who alternated term about were Orneal Kooyers from USA, Maurice Boxwell and Barry Irwin from Australia. The students did correspondence lessons from Blackfiars in NSW Australia. The building was a 10ft*12ft bamboo walled building situated on the "Circle' near Lovings and Vincents houses. In 1963 the first permanent building was built on the present site of the School and the pupils grew in number to 13, some came from Kainantu and Aiyura. The original School Building was used as a place to store sports equipment for a number of years.

In 1996 the primary and secondary campuses were incorporated into one school to facilitate an articulated K- 12 curriculum under the common name of Ukarumpa International School. Ukarumpa International School has served a student body of approximately 175 in Kindergarten through grade 6 and approximately 180 in 7-12. However, student and staff population always fluctuates with the coming and going of missionaries each year. In 2010, the school yearbook, The Silhouette, recorded a population of 258 students and 77 staff. Approximately 80% of the students are children of members or area mission groups. There are 15 nationalities represented in the school with the majority being students from North America.

In 1997 a Finnish School (Ukarumpan suomalainen ulkomaankoulu, USKO) was established here with 11 students.

In July 2003 the primary campus was relocated in to the centre, away from the Aiyura airport.