One Tree Hill College is a state coeducational secondary school located in the district of Ellerslie in Auckland, New Zealand.

It provides curriculum, discipline and financial oversight but day-to-day management of the college, within the board's policy framework, is handled by the principal and the senior leadership team.

[5] Research by foundation principal Ron Stacey reveals the property on which Penrose High School stands originally formed part of land granted to James Haldane Watt, a settler, on 10 December 1847.

Once secondary education became more accessible after the abolition of the proficiency certificate in 1937, the department set its sights on building a super-school of superior quality — a ‘landmark’ in Ministry of Works’ parlance.

Its staff facilities, accessways and corridors, far more generous in size than for most New Zealand secondary schools, certainly give the impression that it was planned for another use.

While it was billed as a world first,[5] the Whanau House concept would reflect as much on European educational tradition as Maori culture.

It signalled the introduction of a house system that had been a feature of English private schools ("public" in British parlance) since time immemorial.

(Penrose had already operated a loose house system for its summer sports day from 1969–75, though it had never been embraced by the school proper).

By 1979 they each had their designated commons areas and distinct identities, including house colours — Hinau (white), Kowhai (yellow), Miro (green), Tawa (blue) and Rata (red).

In 1977 the houses competed in athletics with Hinau taking first place and it held that lead when a range of non-sporting endeavours were assessed.

[5] The house system, as controversial as it was challenging, came to an end in the late 1990s and Penrose reverted to a more traditional class format.

[8] The college was officially reopened and rededicated on 13 March 2009 by John Key, New Zealand prime minister.

In 2009 students were placed into their respective whanau as part of a reimplementation of the houses system which the college originally pioneered.

One Tree Hill also has its own hymn, Martin Shaw's 'Go Forth With God', which came into use during Ron Stacey's foundation principalship.

The collection was originally funded by proceeds from the college 'tuckshop' (canteen) and has subsequently received gifts and donations but no public money.

Sutton, Colin McCahon, Patrick Hanly, Robin White, Toss Woollaston, Allen Maddox, Don Peebles and Ralph Hotere.

The office praised progress at the college, noting that staff and students were proud of their campus and had a strong sense of belonging.

It identified improvements in the teaching of Maori and Pacific Island students as contributing to the college's turnaround.

Students also participate in numerous musical and cultural events such as the Auckland Secondary School's Polyfest and Stage Challenge.

The groups played an important part in the school’s cultural life, performing a cultural/festival week which started in the mid-1970s and was held most years.

One Tree Hill College encourages personal development by offering students the Duke of Edinburgh's Award programme.

Students participate out of school hours in numerous community services, physically challenging and personal skill-based activities.