Some adjustment for former students of Christchurch's Woolston and Phillipstown primary schools.

Despite community protests, the Ministry's merged school - Te Waka Unua - opens today.

Some 430 students will be welcomed by a powhiri before the official opening this afternoon.

School principal Janeane Reid says they've incorporated old values to make children and parents feel comfortable.

"We've bought some taonga from Phillipstown School and Woolston School into that opening ceremony so that we're acknowledging the past and the importance and history behind two schools, but launching the new journey for this new school."

Reid says they're determined to offer students the best.

"Both Woolston and Phillipstown School had real big pastoral care focus, making sure that students were at the heart of all the schools' decisions and developments and we've pulled that over as a real common link and that will underpin a lot of what happens."