Collection: Ermedale School | Invercargill Archives

Dates

1913 - 1985
Majority of material found within 1913 - 1947
Majority of material found within 1980 - 1985

Ermedale School

Ermedale School stood to the west of Gropers Bush but most of the dates and details of the school are unknown.

The Ermedale Estate was a large 3000-acre property that was bisected by Omutu and Backed by Pourakino. It was settled early, before 1860, and was originally pronounced “Ermdale”. After several owners this estate was subdivided and, when made a state settlement, it contained a dozen family farms.

This many families and farms, and their isolated location would most certainly have provided enough need for their own school.

According to the Western Star newspaper, in 1915 the roll was only 16 which was small even for a country school. Teachers included Mrs Snodgrass who taught “fancywork as well as the usual subject” and Miss Nuttall.

Reference:"Pieces of Chalk: History of Riverton District Schools", Written by George Perkins. Ch.8, Pp.74-75.

See Additional Description for more information on this reference.