Kaeaea was one of the first schools (if not the first) in the district, opening in April 1907 with 11 pupils. Initially in an old public works hut, then a marquee before a permanent building (one classroom and a porch) was constructed in 1910.
Aria School opened in February 1908 and the sole teacher (Mr Moore) taught half his time at Aria and half at Kaeaea (i.e 3 days per week at each). Later Kaeaea shared a teacher with the nearby Rira School.
The school closed in 1946 with pupils travelling to Aria.
In recent times the local community erected commemorative stones at the location of several long gone (but not forgotten) schools.
[Reference: ‘No Greater Purpose’ by C J Riddle]