Collection: Athol School | Invercargill Archives

Scope and Contents

Collection contains Annual Classification Returns for 1883 to 1954, as well as building plans and specifications relating to the maintenance of the school buildings, facilities, and residence.

Dates

Majority of material found within 1883 - c.1991

Athol Schol

In June 1878, Mrs Berry was appointed Temporary School Mistress until September when Mr Bennet was appointed Head Teacher. The 1879 Athol School Committee Members were Messrs J.M.Price; John Harris; Benjamin Giles; Samuel Paddon; John Davis; Robert Mullen and Joseph Rogers. There is no record of the first day pupil names but it is assumed they included Hellen and Bob Price, plus Hannah and Rebecca Butson. Later pupils included: Arthur Butson; Nellie Stancombe; Ivy Harris; Mary Hill; George Peterson; Nellie Reid; Maggie Dobbie; Jane Gibson; John Murchland; David Douglas; Samuel Parker, Mary Dunn and Sarah Parker.

The original school was built beside the main road at the northern end of the village. It was considered an unsuitable site, due to receiving very little sun, and a new school was built on its current site opposite the Memorial Hall, in around 1925.

Athol School celebrated 100 years in January 1978 but closed in December 1992 because the roll had dwindled. The remaining children transferred to Garston School.

- Notes by E. Easton -

See Bibliography for References

Extent

1 box(es) (Box 1)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

School status

Closed school [1878 - 1992]

Bibliography

'History of Northern Southland' by G.A. Hamilton
Reference: LC 993.96 HAM
'Live and let live: the history of the Soper family' by Lyndel A. Soper
Reference: LC 929.2 SOP
'Morgan Price & family : story of John Morgan Price' by Trevor Price
Reference: LC 929.2 PRI