Because of expansion after World War II, it was decided to split it into two separate schools.

Ayton House was combined with The Rectory, to become a co-educational boarding facility just over a kilometre from the heart of Gisborne City.

Many of the boarders are international students from all over the world who are learning English through the special programmes offered by the two schools.

Lisa Carmine, Liz Brown and Richard Ludlow embarked on the study after reading 1998 figures that indicated their school had a higher than average success rate with the qualifications achieved by Maori girls compared to schools of a similar decile rating.

They decided to share their work through the Education Gazette, but note that their findings may be specific to Gisborne Girls' High School.