The History of Kaharoa 1907 - 2007 Mission Statement To provide a quality learning environment that encourages lifelong learning. To promote Cornerstone values as the basis of good character. Contents SCHOOL History 4 Buildings and Grounds 7 Swimming Pool and Tennis Courts 13 School Sports Comples Development 15 Years - Principals and Teachers 16 Graph of School Roll 19 Principals’ and Staff Memories 20 School Committee / Board of Trustees 26 Administration and Resourcing 32 The Last Decade at Kaharoa School 34 Opportunities for Students 1997-2007 36 Kahawrite / School House Captains 37 Art, Music, Drama and Productions 38 TIMELINE 40-41 School Bus 42 School Reports 45 Home and School Committee / PTA 46 Agricultural Days / Flower Day 49 Trophies 52 Dental Service / Manual Technology 57 Religious Instruction 58 FARMING 60 Rural Women of New Zealand 61 Kaharoa Water 63 HALL 66 DOMAIN / KCA 68 COMMUNITY GROUPS Netbal and Tennis 70 Garden Circle 72 Hamurana Play Centre 3 Kaharoa Kokako Trust 73 COMMUNITY MEMORIES 74 Current Schoolchildren (Kahawrite) 78 2 THE HISTORY OF KAHAROA 1907 – 2007 FOREWORD BY WARWICK MOYLE PRINCIPAL, KAHAROA SCHOOL ‘Few will have greatness to bend history itself, but each one of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation’ Robert F Kennedy The hundred year’s celebration of education in the Kaharoa District is a significant milestone in the his- tory of the area, worthy of written recognition. The daily lives and activities of all those who have lived and worked in this area over these past 100 years, and prior, have contributed to building the strong community we have today. The challenge for those working on this book was how best to record this history. This publication is the culmination of many hours work and toil by a dedicated few trawling through various school and community minute books and log books. Past publications, interviews with local identities and a variety of contributors have also been of valuable assistance in ensuring we have a pub- lication that reflects the Kaharoa School and the place it holds in this dynamic community. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in getting ‘The History of Kaharoa 1907 – 2007’ to print and for producing a document that will stand the test of time for future generations to enjoy. Thank you to the Centenary Committee for your tireless work and commitment. I wish everyone an enjoyable Centenary celebration full of fellowship, laughter and memories. Acknowledgements The 75th and 100th history publications are complementary, as well as sequential with overlap. The 75th publication represents the many hours of commitment by Don & Flo Tombleson to collect, collate and record the predominantly oral histories from the people of the district. This work formed a valuable base from which to continue recording Kaharoa’s history. A copy is held in every classroom at Kaharoa School. The centenary publication is predominantly collated from the surviving written records such as Householder’s meetings; School Committee; Home and School Committee; PTA (Parent Teacher Ass.); Hall Society and BOT (Board of Trustees) minute books. As is, and always has been common practice among past and present residents of Kaharoa, this history has been researched, coordinated and facilitated by a team of volunteers, with contributions from many sources and people. Special acknowledgement however must go to the succession of people and groups who recorded their history while making history in our Kaharoa community. • Principals & Teachers. • School Committees and then the Boards of Trustees. • A variety of, again voluntary, community groups. The records and memories, these people and groups, contributed have been invaluable. To research, collate and compile a historical record can be fraught with controversy. Every effort has been made to record the history of Kaharoa School & District accurately. Individuals have been named, where they fit into the district’s history. As with all records the author’s presentation may not always correspond with those of its readers. If names have been overlooked, events remembered differently then we apologise. We did our best. Editors Anne Paterson Anne Managh THE HISTORY OF KAHAROA 1907 – 2007 3 KAHAROA SCHOOL A Historical Overview The Crown purchased the Mangorewa-Kaharoa block (42,949 acres) in 1896. The block was opened up for settlement in 1900, with the earliest settlers arriving in 1903. The area was an early farming area, settled by the “district survey” settlers and their families of 1905. They were mainly dairy farmers who broke in and burnt the large areas of bush covered land. The land was later found out to be very marginal, as ‘bush-sick- ness’ and lack of cobalt was eventually apparent. The mineral deficiencies in the soil meant that animals be- gan to waste away after about six months. There was also a shortage of good water, the climatic conditions were hard and the country was infested with blackberry. Many settlers walked off the land having lost their capital. These settlers provided the first generation of school pupils in an isolated loca- tion. The 1877 Education Act made schooling compulsory, free and secular for children. Originally all Kaharoa Dairy farming was the predominant farming activity. children had to travel to Oturoa School on the Oturoa Forestry and the milling of timber were still evident at Road for formal schooling. this time also. There was a new flush of new settlers, In February 1907 six local families with 20 children including many ex-servicemen. total, petitioned for the establishment of a school at The 1930s saw vehicles in Kaharoa and the introduc- Kaharoa. The school duly opened in May of 1907 with tion of the first ‘bus’ service, driven by the headmaster, six pupils, who had to be housed in a 16’ x 12’ build- in his Ford 10, and later a 1937 Chev. For every year ing loaned free of charge by a Mr. Hedges. A tender to of Kaharoa School’s history, the teacher(s), with the build the permanent classroom was signed in October approval of the School Committee initially and then of 1908, for a sum of two hundred and twenty eight as part of the principal’s duties, have arranged school pounds and ten shillings. It included the school build- picnics. McKenzie’s Bay in the 1930’s (now called Wil- ing, shelter shed, toilets, 20 chain of fencing and school son’s Bay); Maketu. 1960’s; Pilots Bay in Mount Maun- gates. The building was opened on 1 March 1909. ganui, and more recently Boyes Beach, Lake Okareka. Later, timber milling, road constructing (the Man- A major school trip in 1929 required significant plan- gorewa Gorge / Tauranga Direct Road), and gold min- ning to join with other Rotorua schools to visit the ing contributed to the development of the area. Tram- Hamilton Winter Show. The School Committee of that lines were built in 1910 and timber was transported year also decided to raise funds by holding a Chil- to Ngongotaha, thus providing extra income for some dren’s Ball in November. Mrs Morrison was asked to farmers. The school closed for 17 months in the middle arrange the Ball, Mr Florey the music and Mr Thomp- of World War I. son the posters. Fancy Dress Balls, attended by all ages The 1920s appeared to have been a fairly stable pe- were popular social events from the early 1930’s right riod, characterised by community functions at the lo- through until the 1960s. cal hall, and picnics, transport being horse and cart. The recorded charges for the Plain & Fancy Dress Ball 4 THE HISTORY OF KAHAROA 1907 – 2007 KAHAROA SCHOOL funding, to bring its facilities up to standard. 1961 saw the introduction of a 12 seater departmental bus, a red Bedford. 1965 saw the last “sole” teacher and also the building of a new administration and schoolroom block, tennis court and swimming pool. The 1960s saw the school providing the opportunity for outdoor education - a trip through Whakareware- wa, beach picnics at Maketu, and Port Waikato camps. Children gave musical concerts and performances in the hall during this time. On Christmas day 1972 the original school building was burned down. Not only was the building lost but also many valuable historic documents, records, and school library books perished. In 1973, a replacement building arrived, and with the extreme help of a very supportive community, school life was business as The teacher, Mr Nairn, and pupils outside the school, usual. Deer farming started to make an impact on the 1936. area’s farming makeup from this time. of 1932 and again in 1940 was • Gentlemen 2/- (two shillings) • Ladies 1/6 (one shilling and sixpence) • Children of Kaharoa and Te Pu schools Free • Children outside this area 1/- (one shilling) Community social events over the years have includ- ed: dances, concerts, farewell parties, bachelor balls, outings to ballet or similar in town, beer fests, wine tasting evenings and quiz evenings. Profits were of- ten shared between the school and Hall Society, with the latter in turn making regular contributions to the school funds over the years. In 1949, the roll collapsed and the school closed. It is not clear why. Perhaps due to no suitable teachers’ ac- commodation or maybe the children had reached the age to leave school to work and supplement their fam- School trip to Mokoia Island, 1982. ilies’ incomes. The school did not re-open until 1953, and only then, when the locals realised the building The 1980s show the school roll growing, a continu- was in danger of being removed.