History of a growing school

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 630, 2 April 1996, Page 9

History of a growing school

Raetihi Primary School will cel ebrate its Centennial from this Friday 5 April to Sunday 7 April. A committee has been planning the event for many months to make it a memorable occasion for all who attend. The school opened in Mr Pike's sitting room on 26 June 1896 with 11 boys and nine girls. In August of that year Mr W E Hird, took up his duties as headmaster in a new building - just a school standing among logs and stumps surrounded by a swamp. Mr Hird taught until 1915 — the longest serving headmaster in Raetihi school' s 100year history. The size of that school could not keep up with the ever-increasing roll. In 1 903 there was accommodation for 60 but 70 on the roll. By 1911 there was room for 1 14, but an attendance of 1 43. A decision was made to remove the school to the Grey Street site where the present school stands. It was

removed room by room in 1913, when the pupils hoped for a few days' holiday — no such luck — they were accommodated in other buildings until the school rooms were ready. New rooms wereaddedin 1926. In 1956 a new administration block was completed and in 1960 the Assembly Hall was officially opened. The school' s history contains records of progress and development from the very early years. The Post Office Savings Bank scheme started in 1928; the Dental Clinic opened in 1933; Milk in Schools was introduced in 1938; the swimming baths were opened in 1928. In 1996 Raetihi School has 15 classrooms plus resource rooms, a well-equipped library, carpeted and curtained class rooms — a far cry from that single school room at the end of Ward Street in 1896.