Riverdale School sits on Stout Street on the northern side of Gisborne, beside the Taruheru River. The school's website says its name translates to Waimarino. It celebrated its 60th year in 2018. The school runs a mainstream school of three classrooms, a Senior School of two classrooms, and a Special Needs Unit of seven classrooms. Its motto is kia kaha te mahi, which the website puts as be brave and work hard.
What sets the school apart is the size of its Special Needs Unit, which has more classrooms than the mainstream and Senior School together. The school's website is in te reo Māori and English, and it has a parent portal for parents, caregivers and whānau. Families can call 06-868 5468 or email admin@riverdalegis.school.nz. For a family in the northern part of Gisborne, the school's place beside the river is a clear landmark on the way in.