COURTENAY SCHOOL AGED 90

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28260, 24 April 1957, Page 18

COURTENAY SCHOOL AGED 90

Celebration Next Month

One of the oldest primary schools in Canterbury, the Courtenay School, will celebrate its ninetieth anniversary on May 3. During the anniversary celebrations the new school building will be officially opened. It has been in use for about six months.

The Courtenay School, a wooden building with the teacher’s residence attache 1, was opened on May 18, 1867. At the time Courtenay was on the coach road to the West Coast, and the township contained a store and a hotel. Both were closed, however, when the railway was put through Kirwee. A Mr Cheyne was the first teacher at the school. He taught there for several years before he was succeeded by Mr Foster, who held the post for a considerable term. The present teacher is Mr I. G. Mcßride. At the beginning of this century the school’s roll was about 25. The roll at present numbers 13. Sold Last Year The original building, which was closed last year, was believed to have been the oldest public school building in Canterbury. When it was sold for demolition and removal it was replaced by the old Burnham School building. The Burnham building was remodelled and provided with extra facilities on its new site. Among those who will attend the celebrations are Mrs J. Anderson, aged 90. the school’s oldest living former pupil, and Dr. J. L. Moffatt, senior lecturer in languages in the post-primary division of the Christchurch Teachers’ College. Dr. Moffatt is a former pupil of the school. About 160 former pupils, from many parts of New Zealand, are expected to attend the celebrations, which include a banquet, roll-call, and a ball in the evening.