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Te Wae Wae School

 Record Group
Identifier: A0464

Dates

  • Majority of material found within 1910 - 1984

Te Wae Wae School

Te Wae Wae School is the product of generosity and hard work. When approached, the Education Board refused to build the school, so the settlers themselves raised the necessary money, while timber mills donated the wood.

In 1910 the school was established. For its first year the pupils came from families including the O’Briens, Griffins, Knowlers, Flanagans, Stanways and Erskines. Later in 1935 the school was re-sited, so its windows faced north, and renovated. It remained on its section.

One of the area’s most notable figures is Miss Cecelia. I. O’Brien who taught at all four of the region’s schools (Te Wae Wae, Te Tua, Happy Valley and Tuatapere), but notably at Te Wae Wae where she taught for 24 years. Miss O’Brien focused mainly on reading as if a child could read, she believed children could educate themselves.

By 1970, the 12 remaining pupils were bussed to Tuatapere School. The vacant school rooms found a second life as a pottery studio.

Reference:"Up the Waiau: The Story of Four Schools, Marking the 75th Anniversary of Tuatapere Schools", Compiled by Gordon McLeod. Pp.73-82.

See Additional Description for more information on this reference.

Extent

1 box(es) (Box 1)

Language of Materials

English

Reference

"Up the Waiau: The Story of Four Schools, Marking the 75th Anniversary of Tuatapere Schools", Compiled by Gordon McLeod.
Ref: LC 371 UP
Title
Te Wae Wae School
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Invercargill City Libraries and Archives Repository

Contact:
50 Dee Street
Invercargill Southland 9810 New Zealand