Freyberg High School is named for hero of both world wars, Lord Bernard Freyberg, who is known for his service in the Gallipoli Campaign during the First World War and later service commanding the New Zealand Expeditionary Force during the Second World War. Freyberg served as the 7th Governor-General of New Zealand from 1946 to 1952. Opening in 1955 as the city's fourth state secondary school, Freyberg High School is now one of the largest schools in Palmerston North, with a roll of students as of , behind Palmerston North Boys' High School and Palmerston North Girls' High School.