Gropers Bush School
Record Group
Identifier: A0230
Dates
- Majority of material found within 1873 -1895
Gropers Bush School
Gropers Bush Cottage School was one of two schools which formed to meet the needs of a growing population and ease the pressure on Gummies Bush School. In 1872 the school was made to the north, situated along the road from Riverton to Otautau in a cottage. It had 29 pupils.
A few years later the school moved to reside close to the Otautau junction, Sheridan’s Corner as it was known. It now had around 50 pupils. This was due to more children reaching school age in the existing families, not newcomers.
The first teacher was Eric MacKay who had been educated well at Saint Andrews University. He could teach Latin, Greek and Euclid. When Mr Mackay left the school for Bluff in 1878, he was given a very generous gift of a gold albert chain and an inscribed locket from the community.
Other teachers included Mr Dark, James Borland and D. McFarlane. Due to declining numbers, the last teacher the school had was Miss Jean Russell. Nearby in Fairfax though the contrary was occurring thanks to the opening of the railway to Nightcaps. As a result, the school was moved to Fairfax around 1894 and the Gropers Bush School children again made their way to Gummies Bush School.
Unlike many disestablished country schools Gropers Bush School did not fade to nothing. A public library, established in 1880, remained in the building despite efforts to take it with the school. The library still operates today as a community run site.
Reference:"Pieces of Chalk: History of Riverton District Schools", Written by George Perkins. Ch.8, Pp.70-74.
See Additional Description for more information on this reference.
A few years later the school moved to reside close to the Otautau junction, Sheridan’s Corner as it was known. It now had around 50 pupils. This was due to more children reaching school age in the existing families, not newcomers.
The first teacher was Eric MacKay who had been educated well at Saint Andrews University. He could teach Latin, Greek and Euclid. When Mr Mackay left the school for Bluff in 1878, he was given a very generous gift of a gold albert chain and an inscribed locket from the community.
Other teachers included Mr Dark, James Borland and D. McFarlane. Due to declining numbers, the last teacher the school had was Miss Jean Russell. Nearby in Fairfax though the contrary was occurring thanks to the opening of the railway to Nightcaps. As a result, the school was moved to Fairfax around 1894 and the Gropers Bush School children again made their way to Gummies Bush School.
Unlike many disestablished country schools Gropers Bush School did not fade to nothing. A public library, established in 1880, remained in the building despite efforts to take it with the school. The library still operates today as a community run site.
Reference:"Pieces of Chalk: History of Riverton District Schools", Written by George Perkins. Ch.8, Pp.70-74.
See Additional Description for more information on this reference.
Extent
1 box(es) (Box 1)
Language of Materials
English
Reference
"Pieces of Chalk: History of Riverton District Schools", Written by George Perkins.
Ref: LC 371.009 PER
Ref: LC 371.009 PER
- Title
- Gropers Bush School
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Invercargill City Libraries and Archives Repository
