Birkenhead School (77 Mokoia Road)

In its earliest years, Birkenhead had no public school for its children. Younger pupils had to travel to Northcote, Birkdale, or across the harbour to receive a primary education. Eventually, parents successfully petitioned for a side-school on Hauraki Road (Hinemoa Street), but they wanted more. Land for a school was purchased by the Education Board on Roberts Road (Mokoia Road) in 1913 and additional land from the Highbury Estate in 1914. World War I delayed the opening of the school until 1 February 1919.

Since the school opened, all the original buildings have been replaced or upgraded beyond recognition. The oldest structure was removed in 1977. However, the original lychgate and fence remain along Mokoia Road. The lychgate was built primarily to shelter parents and children from inclement weather but harkens back to British tradition of lychgates appearing at the entrances of churches to protect parishioners and ward off evil spirits.

Cross Mokoia Road at the crosswalk, turn right and walk a short distance, and then turn left down Huka Road.