Fernridge Masterton West School was the forerunner for the Fernridge School Fernridge: 1878 to Present Frederick Gover was Head teacher in 1878 and lasted until 1905. 7 Kilometres up Upper Plain Road, West of Masterton. Buildings 1876 Original school 479 square feet 1882 additional 604 Square feet 1893 Additional 609 Square Feet th 1944 Remodelled as at 5 January 1951 1867 Residence 9th November Provincial Secretary. West Masterton School District. 1879 6 rooms PROCLAMATION. By His Honor Isaac Earl Featherston, Esquire, 1930 Ministry approved sale and removal Payment of Housing Superintendent of the Province of Wellington, in the Colony of New Allowance to Teacher Zealand. THEREAS by an Act of the Second VV Session of the 1957 New House 1050 square feet Cost £3150 Provincial Council of Wellington, No. 6, initialled An Act to 1951 Garage promote the establishment of Common Schools in the Province of Wellington" it is enacted that for the purposes of the said Act it Land 2 acres Part of Section 54 and 100 should be lawful for the Superintendent by Proclamation to divide Small Farm settlement 350/127 Block 4 Tiffin SD the Province into Districts, and from time to time to subdivide such Districts and to re-unite any sub-divisions, and also by Proclamation to declare that such Act should come into operation within such district or sub-division at such time as he might appoint. And whereas it is deemed expedient to proclaim that portion of the province within the boundaries hereinafter set forth to be a district for the purposes of the said Act. Now therefore I, Isaac Earl Featherston, Superintendent of the Province of Wellington, in virtue former scale are charged. I have been repeatedly asked the reason of the power and authority vested in me in this behalf, do hereby why the school in Masterton East is closed while that in Masterton proclaim and declare that such portion of the said Province as is West has just had a teacher appointed to it. The only solution of the comprised within the following boundaries shall form and constitute matter I could, or can, see is the lack of teachers. If the settlers were a district for the purposes of the said Act to be called the West to bestir themselves a little there and elsewhere, see what their wants Masterton School District which said District shall be bounded as are, and make them known to the Board, or to the representatives of follows, namely Bounded towards the North East by the Western the several districts, these wants would soon be supplied, or at least Boundary of W. Bowler's selection 183 acres, by the Whakamoekahi hopes of their being supplied would be held out. As long as the Stream, and by the Waipoua River towards the South East by that people remain passive, and refrain from taking the initiative so long part of the North West boundary of the East Masterton School may they expect to see their school closed, and the children running District, which lies between the Waipoua and Waingawa Rivers, about the roads. Though the control in education matters is now towards the South West by the Waingawa River, and towards the removed from the hands of the local committees, a little interest North West by a line bearing 222 degrees from the North West taken by the settlers in the education of their children cannot but corner of the aforesaid selection of William Bowler's 183 acres until have a beneficial result. If the parents are apathetic, so will the it strikes the Waingawa River as delineated in the plan drawn in. the children, and if the teacher has not already lost much of his zeal, he margin hereof or here- under annexed. PP must be something more than human if he can make any headway against the tide of discouragements that continually bar his progress. Foremost among these are, insufficient accommodation school 1869 furniture dilapidated and no longer available; irregular attendance; th 11 September MARRIED. want of the moral support of the parent and, I might mention, Walton Kibblewhite. On September 4, at the house of the bride's inadequate salaries. This last desideratum is of such minor father, Upper Plain, Masterton, by the Rev. John Ross, Mr Thomas j I Robert Walton, schoolmaster, West Masterton to Lucy, third importance in the eyes of the teachers, through an excessive daughter of Mr Richard Kibblewhite. familiarity with it for many years, that they have not the slightest objection to an immediate severance of their former bosom friends 1872 Complaints are rife at Masterton at the delay in re-opening the school. Girls are now being sent to private schools where fees on the 1873 1876 4th February 1873 ,,,,,,,,,After describing the condition in which he 13th January Tenders were accepted for new schools at Mauriceville, found the schools in his own district, where out of 1400 children Morrison's Bush, and West Masterton 1000 were unsupported, he depicted in a most graphic manner the 24th January Miss Stephens deplorable condition of the schools in Wairarapa. Featherston (that Opened school at half past nine, number present were seven boys can send near 100 children) had its closed. Kaiwaiwai had 15 and two girls. The greatest advantage the school an afford is plenty attending. Tauherenikau and Moroa closed. Greytown with 50 or 60 of air, I can scarcely realise being inside four walls. 1 O’clock 12 attending Carterton closed, East Masterton closed West Masterton children present with an attendance of 15. Thus out of over 900 children in 25th January Number present thirteen paid glazier ten shillings for Wairarapa not 100 attending school PP putting several panes of glass in 31st January Very wet admitted Phebe and Margaret Auketell 4th February Twenty one present. This school is exceedingly 1874 unpleasant I hope before long the new one will be commenced th 16 May It was resolved that a bonus of £10 be given to Mr Jupp, of 7th February Admitted Caroline Evans age 16. Sarah Isabella the West Masterton School, but in answer to the application for a Chamberlain. admitted. Augustine Valance (Vallance?) The weather female assistant to the school at Bulls, it was agreed to appoint; Miss is very warm and the want of water is felt very much by the children Murphy at a salary of £50 a year. (Area went right up to and 11th February It has been a very trying week the poor children leave Including Wanganui) at times almost fainted for water although most of them bring some in bottles but the heat has been so intense that the water is warm; 1875 and therefore only aggravates their thirst. I only hope I may never again experience the want of water so much, how people so well off 1st July began the school after recess on Monday 28th June having as some up here are do not dig a well, I can’t understand 120º (48.8 been too ill to attend during the previous weeks. Celsius) 12th July paid Mr Evans 7 shillings for firewood for school 14th February Mary McKenzie readmitted No date Extremely rough wet No attendance of children I attended 18th February Short examination in Scripture, not a question Mr Vallance’s funeral- School closed in the afternoon answered correctly Sent Postal Order to Chairman of Education Board £3-9-6 fees for 21st February I have six children named Chamberlain all of one quarter commenced 1st June 1875 family attending and I was very much annoyed that they are coming at 5 minutes past eleven this morning, and finding their lessons teacher than I am, it is all so different where children are taught to badly done sing from their cradle; as they are in our infant schools at home. I 22nd February Chamberlain’s late again 10-30. It would be no use little thought when the singing lessons at one time was the most my punishing them for it is not their fault when children are an late pleasant use that I should ever find, it is a dreadful nuisance yet I an hour an a half and sometimes two hours behind time it is rather would persevere. Perhaps one day I may be agreeably surprised and puzzling how to engage. I hope there will be an improvement soon. hear a sound something like music The worst part of the business is that their father is one of the Their knowledge of Geography is just as limited I have given them committee several lessons, but there are only one or two who do not describe a 25th February On Monday new desks were bought to the school, on lake for an island; and when I ask what a mountain is or should I say Tuesday I had the pleasure of seeing the children exert their utmost when I asked to describe a mountain they looked as if thought I was power to sit in them that they managed after a while; but they will making fun my first ? lesson never manage to sit straight; I never saw such a clumsy set in my I suppose I ought to think quite a success; for they appeared quite life; and hope I never shall again. This evening Friday I shall have delighted and so with scripture they appeared delighted with the the pleasure of dragging three at least outside and bringing back the history; but were sadly puzzled with the questions, However I have original forms. better success with it than anything as I always have in whatever 28th February Brought back the desks again; the exposure did them school I teach.