Hadlow opened as a boarding (40 boys) and a day school (20 boys) for boys aged 8 to 14 at the beginning of 1929 under principal and founder A. W. Don.[2] At the first break-up ceremony the prizes went to the sons of major Wairarapa landowners.[3]
The school was purchased by Anglican girls school, St Matthew's, on Mr Don's untimely death in 1954 and Mr John Woodward Bird 1892—1970, a senior master at Wairarapa College, was appointed principal.[4]
On Mr Bird's retirement Mr John Kenneth Louisson 1918—2001 was appointed headmaster in 1961.[5]
