Edendale School

Record Group

Identifier: A0195

Staff Only

School status

Open school [1875 - present]

Dates

Majority of material found within 1877 - 2019

Conditions Governing Access

This Collection contains RESTRICTED ACCESS items. Please see notes on individual items for further information.

Edendale School

Schooling started in the area around 1863/4 with the Land Company's School on Compton Road (Lower Station) and teacher Mr Laurie. In 1874 teacher James Peowrie arrived and a temporary school building, a hut, was used before the first school in the township, provided by the Otago Education Board, was opened in 1875. It was one room and on the present school site. The school was handed over to the new Southland Education Board in 1878. Despite being only 16, James Wadell Smith was the next teacher in 1875, followed by William Barr, then Thomas Monteath in 1879 who stayed on for 23 years.

Some surnames of early pupils included Blackley, Branigan, Clark, Dempster, Dewe, Fessy, Ferguson, Jones, McKinnon, McFadden, Quested, Shields, Westbury, Weavers and Young.

Over the years several additions were made to the school to accommodate roll increases, with a new classroom added in 1950 as well as a pre-fab room in the 1960s. "Miro" stoves were introduced in the 1930s/40s, and students travelled to Gore for manual training before a centre in Wyndham was established in 1929. The school was closed at various times due to epidemics, such as polio in 1936.

In 1961 a fire destroyed the main block of five classrooms. Students were taught in a variety of locations around the town until a new school opened in 1962. In 1971 Menzies College opened and Edendale lost its Forms 1 & 2.

The school is still going in 2019 and caters up to Year 6 pupils.

- Notes by E. M. Easton -

See Bibliography for References

Extent

15 box(es) (Boxes 1 - 15, Frames East 22 a and 13 c)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Bibliography

'Edendale : the fresh plains and the township' by Agnes M. Thwaites
Ref: LC 993.96 THW

Page 103: Names of headmasters and teachers. Also includes information on school transport, secondary education, School Caretakers, Dental Clinic and Swimming Baths, games, clubs, trips, high achievers, teachers accommodation, Glebe and Sheep Schemes, Thomas Brydone Learning Centre, Jubilees, and Play Centres.
This book is well set out, with easily read text, generously illustrated, with all photos having captions and names of individuals shown. The Compilers have been thorough in including, not only the history and development of agriculture and horticulture in the district, but also that of industries and buinesses supporting them. Dairying and processing leading to the establishment and expansion of 'Fonterra' is well described. Communications and transport, Churches and their Pastors/Ministers,sporting, social and service activities, have been included. Historians and those with family links to the area will find much of interest in this book.

Bibliography

'Fresh plains of Edendale : the history of the Edendale district and the dairy factory around which Edendale grew' by Patricia I. Wilson
Ref: LC 993.96 WIL

Contains material used in 'Edendale : the fresh plains and the township', which Jack A. Hillis acknowledges in the foreword to that book.
Includes map showing names of 1903 Land Holders as well as areas to be disposed of in the 1904 Ballot.