Otama School

Record Group

Identifier: A0351

Staff Only

Dates

Majority of material found within 1883 - 1984

Otama School

Like many country schools there was a lot of debate over which site to use for the construction of Otama School. One option was on the Otama Flat Road and the other on the lower part of McBain’s Road. The first was seen as too far for those in the upper parts of the district while the second was deemed too swampy and placed awkwardly on a side road. This debate was only settled in July 1882 when the McBain Road site was swapped for ten acres situated where McBain Road meets Old Lake Road.

By November 1882 plans for a 75 children school and teacher’s residence were requested of the Education Board Architect. The tender of Mr Thorn and Rough in January 1883 was accepted, and the buildings were completed during March and April. The finished school was celebrated by the district on 24 May 1883. Mr James McLaughlin was appointed on 2 July as the first teacher and the first students attended the school on the 9 July the same year.

This first schoolhouse was a long, gabled building that ran east to west. It was situated in the centre of its grounds and reportedly unfenced in the earlier years. Inside there was an open fire and the students sat on tiered seating with long desks. This seating was not enough for the schools’ size though, so in 1892 changes were made to create seating for 30 more students, 90 student capacity.

No major changes were made to the school buildings until the 1950’s. It was at this time (1954) that the school qualified for a second teacher, so despite efforts to partition a room and make it suitable for the infants, it was decided the buildings ultimately needed replacing. In 1957 a new schoolhouse was erected. Then in 1959 the new school was built, on its same site, but located closer to the road. This new school contained a staffroom, a storeroom and two large classrooms. It was officially opened on 2 February 1960 by Mr B. E. Talboys.

The schools committee remained strong and consistent over the years and has always been thoughtful regarding the needs of the school and its pupils. In earlier years the committee was commended for the beautification work it did on the grounds. They were also highly focused on supporting pupils in their outdoor facilities. As sport grew in importance the committee developed tennis courts, then later in 1968 formed the sports field. Also, in 1966 a swimming pool was constructed. The committee was incredibly good at supporting the school with equipment including typewriters, sheds, library books and a hot water system.

Teachers at the school included Mr Watson (1940s) and Mr George Leith (1946-57) who was head teacher for 11 years. Miss Margaret MacKay, in 1956, was the first permanent assistant teacher, while in 1975 the school received its first teachers aid.

In 1970 the district was asked to consider the possibility of Otama becoming a contributing school for Longford Intermediate School in Gore. The local people decided against this and still today (2020) Otama Primary school operates as a year 1-8 co-ed school on the same location, 12 McBain Road, RD 3 Gore.

- Notes by E.M. Easton -

Reference: “The Knapdale Run, It's Land and It's People”, Edited by Elizabeth Kerse. Ch.4, pp.80-87.

See Additional Description for more information on this reference.

Extent

1 box(es) (Box 1)

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.