Scotts Gap School
Record Group
Identifier: A0254
School status
Closed [1887 - 1959]
Dates
- Majority of material found within 1887-1955
Biographical / Historical
Petitioning the Southland Education Board for a school at Scotts Gap began as early as 1885. A year later, in 1886, Mr Patrick Reihill of Raymonds Gap led a new petition which was agreed to by the Board. Swap Brothers of Otautau built the school for £150.50.(1) It was located on part of Section 22 Block IV Aparima Hundred - the west side of Lower Scotts Gap Road, three km from the Otautau-Merrivale Road.(2)
The school opened in February 1887 with a grand concert and ball to celebrate. Mr John Fisher was the first teacher, followed closely by Mr William Birss in March 1887. When the school was inspected in August that year, there were 22 children on the roll. Names of families included Ford, Carnie, Stewart, Moffatt, Bates, Gerrard, McLachlan, Reihill. The school was destroyed in a fire on 14 August 1896(3) and lessons were then held in the teacher's residence. A new building was erected by Mr James McFadzien for £137 and opened in 1897. It was built in a tiered style.
Other families associated with the school: Brown, Burnett, Brash, Coster, Dorricot, Flett, Flynn, Dickson, Harrington, McCully, Munro, Marshall, Price, Paterson, Sheddan, Simmonds, Taylor, Thomson, Ridder, Woods.
The school was closed on 1 April 1959 with a roll of 7 pupils and consolidated with Otautau School. The last teacher was Mr Alan Flamank.
(1) Western Star, 4 September 1886, p.2
(2) Reflecting on, p.163
(3) Southland Times, 3 September 1896, p.3
Photographic references:
Scotts Gap a History – school photos: 1980 named, p.166; 1933 named, p.163; 1939 named, p.167; 1949 named, p.176; 1957 named, p.177.
Reflecting on Otautau & District schools – school photo: 1938 named
Bibliography:
Papers Past
Otautau & District Schools Centennial Committee. (2005). Reflecting on: 125th Jubilee of Otautau & contributing District Schools: Aparima, Ferndunlaw, Gladfield, Scotts Gap, St. Michaels, Waikouro, 1880-2005. Invercargill, NZ: Print Central.
Scotts Gap Book Committee. (2000). Scotts Gap: a history of the people and the district. Invercargill, NZ Craig Printing.
The school opened in February 1887 with a grand concert and ball to celebrate. Mr John Fisher was the first teacher, followed closely by Mr William Birss in March 1887. When the school was inspected in August that year, there were 22 children on the roll. Names of families included Ford, Carnie, Stewart, Moffatt, Bates, Gerrard, McLachlan, Reihill. The school was destroyed in a fire on 14 August 1896(3) and lessons were then held in the teacher's residence. A new building was erected by Mr James McFadzien for £137 and opened in 1897. It was built in a tiered style.
Other families associated with the school: Brown, Burnett, Brash, Coster, Dorricot, Flett, Flynn, Dickson, Harrington, McCully, Munro, Marshall, Price, Paterson, Sheddan, Simmonds, Taylor, Thomson, Ridder, Woods.
The school was closed on 1 April 1959 with a roll of 7 pupils and consolidated with Otautau School. The last teacher was Mr Alan Flamank.
(1) Western Star, 4 September 1886, p.2
(2) Reflecting on, p.163
(3) Southland Times, 3 September 1896, p.3
Photographic references:
Scotts Gap a History – school photos: 1980 named, p.166; 1933 named, p.163; 1939 named, p.167; 1949 named, p.176; 1957 named, p.177.
Reflecting on Otautau & District schools – school photo: 1938 named
Bibliography:
Papers Past
Otautau & District Schools Centennial Committee. (2005). Reflecting on: 125th Jubilee of Otautau & contributing District Schools: Aparima, Ferndunlaw, Gladfield, Scotts Gap, St. Michaels, Waikouro, 1880-2005. Invercargill, NZ: Print Central.
Scotts Gap Book Committee. (2000). Scotts Gap: a history of the people and the district. Invercargill, NZ Craig Printing.
Extent
1 box(es) (Box 1)
Language of Materials
English
- Title
- Scotts Gap School
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Invercargill City Libraries and Archives Repository
