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Tuatapere School

 Record Group
Identifier: A0340

Dates

  • Majority of material found within 1910 - 1948

Tuatapere School

In 1909 the Education Board toured the Western Districts and visited several schools to determine whether one should be built at Tuatapere. Schools and places visited: Koromiko School (earlier named 'Waihoka'), Te Wae Wae where they were met by residents petitioning for a school at the Dairy Factory corner at Saddle Creek, Te Tua School, Papatotara School, and Tuatapere to ascertain the number of children in the district not started... at school and the likely population increase.

In 1910 the site for a school was reserved. In 1911 Mr Hugh McFeely, was first appointed Head Master. He was to become a "leading light" in community affairs over the next decade and beyond. Classes were held in the Cymric Hall, owned and built by John Davies. First day of school 16 children registered. Surnames were: Howarth; Coughlan; Rask; McLean; Sneyd; Fitzgerald; Gray; Mills; and Purdue. When it was thought the noise from the Billiard Room, attached to the hall, was a distraction to the children, classes were transferred to the newly-built Methodist Church, until the roll outgrew the hall space. It was in May 1913 that the first dedicated school building opened.

The school roll continued to grow as more people moved to the district, so when it reached 56 in 1916, a second classroom was built and Miss S. Wilson appointed teacher. Mr Hugh McFeely left in 1922 and Mr Higgins became principal.

Due to growth in the community, as well as changes to the rules for entry into secondary school, Tuatapere School changed to Tuatapere District High in 1945, accommodating both primary and secondary. It soon after changed it's name to Waiau District High School.

In 1953 a new school was built, with amongst other things, offices, staff toilets, new heating, and a medical room. In 1957 a manual department was built in the old secondary rooms. Further extensions happened in 1959 and 1964. A pool and playing grounds also appeared.

In 1977 the school seperated, with the high school staying in the old buildings and the primary moving to newly built buildings nearby. In 2002, Waiau College and Tuatapere Primary School merged back again to create Tuatapere Community College. In 2012 it was renamed Waiau Area School, and it continues as a co-educational composite school under this name in 2019.

- Notes by E. Easton -

See Bibliography for References See more

Extent

1 box(es) (Box 1)

Language of Materials

English

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