Knapdale School

Record Group

Identifier: A0262

Staff Only

Dates

Majority of material found within 1879 - 1972

Conditions Governing Access

This collection contains RESTRICTED material. Please see notes on individual items for further information.

Knapdale School

Knapdale school was opened 11 August 1879 slightly to the north of the Knapdale Homestead with a roll of 40 pupils. The roll grew to 65 in 1893 and a second teacher was appointed. However, over the years these numbers fluctuated with a high of 66 in 1916 and a low of 33 in 1967. In 1972 it was decided that Knapdale School would become a contributing school to the newly opened Longford Intermediate School in Gore. With the school losing its oldest students, the roll dropped to the point that it reverted to a sole teacher school, only to upgrade again six years later.

Changing roll numbers were one of the main reasons behind building renovations. When the school was first built it was a very simple, one-roomed schoolhouse with no play shelter. By 1944 however, major renovations were on the cards. These renovations turned the school into a larger, two-classroom school with the additions of a scullery, teacher’s room and storeroom. These updated buildings lasted until 1975 when a new school was built in the neighbouring paddock. The now old building was removed to Rifle Range in Otikerama. The school then moved onto the new site and was officially opened on 29 April 1976.

Teachers at the school include Mr Edgar Wright, the first Head Teacher, Mr Brash (1930-42), Mr Allott (1942-53), and Mr Ivan Hanna (1955-58). The school was also well served by its committees. Some of the first eleven members served the school for as long as eleven years. Like most school committees they are recorded as fencing areas and planting trees and shrubs. Tennis courts were built in 1956 and in 1961 a swimming pool and changing rooms. In the early years, the committee even designated when school holidays should be; usually in March so the boys could help on the farms.

The school was also supported by the Home and School Association. This was established in April 1957 and subscriptions were only 5 shillings. Mr L. Graham was the first chairman and Mrs J. R. Bannerman the first secretary. This association held a variety of functions and events to fundraise for the school.

On labour weekend of 2019, October 26 and 27, Knapdale School celebrated its 140th jubilee. A BBQ was held and the attendees opened a time capsule from the last jubilee. A fruit tree was also planted in the back paddock to mark the occasion which the currents pupils would look after. The school continues today (2020) as a co-ed state school for years 1-8.

- Notes by E.M. Easton -

Reference: “The Knapdale Run, It's Land and It's People”, Edited by Elizabeth Kerse. Ch.4, pp.74-80.

See Additional Description for more information on this reference.

Extent

1 box(es) (Box 1)

1 digital object (Digital Archive)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Reference

“The Knapdale Run, It's Land and It's People”, Edited by Elizabeth Kerse.
Ref: LC 993.97 KNA

Schools mentioned: Pinnacle, Chatton Road, McNab, East Chatton, Knapdale, Otama and North Chatton. Knapdale children also attended Waikaka, Maitland, Waikaka Valley and East Gore Schools.
This book was compiled by residents and former residents of the district. It contains information of interest to local and family historians plus those interested in mining. Inside both front and back covers are double-page maps showing the boundaries of the original run, block numbers and the individual family farms created by the land sales of the 1870s.
The editor, Elizabeth Kerse, lived on 'Bushy Park' farm bordering Knapdale land. Educated at Gore High School, she completed an M.A. with Honours in History at University of Otago.
At the back of the book there are five appendices: 1. Land Titles with Block Numbers, Maps of each Survey District, Names of owners in date order for each Block, 2. Postal Services, listed by district - Post Masters and Mistresses, Telephonists, Early and Rural Mail Contractors, 3. Schools with families and teachers listed by school, 4. Presbyterian Ministers, from 1883, YFC and CGC Office Bearers plus those for Federation of YFC, 5. Index. It is very helpful for locating families and individuals, especially since bold font has been used to indicate those whose photographs have been included.
Chapter 11 is all about the district at war including information about Territorials (1937), Patriotic Committees, Home Defence and Rolls of Honour, Boer War 1899-1901, WWI 1914-18 (by district), WWII Waikaka.
Other topics covered include agriculture, mining, community and sport, building a plane and establishing an aerodrome.