Historic Links Of Prebbleton School

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28179, 18 January 1957, Page 12

Historic Links Of Prebbleton School

The centennial of a primary school is still a rare event in Canterbury and when it occurs in a country district there is a stronger possibility of some families having been represented on the roll through all generations. There are three such family trees in the records of the Prebbleton Schoo) which will celebrate its centennial from February 2 to 4.

These are the pupils descended through four generations of three families:—(l) Mary Ann Prebble, Percy John Saunders,lvy Saunders, Alec, Ray, and Keith Mclntosh; (2) Alice Thompson, May R. McNally, Eric Prebble, Lorraine and Helen Prebble; (3) Emily Thompson, William John Gallagher, Colin Will am Gallagher, Ann, Myra, and Wayne Gallagher. The oldest pupil surviving is Mr Richard Collins, who entered the school in 1872. He now lives at Hororata. School in 1857

The Prebbleton School’s history reflects the changes which have taken place in education since the foundation of Canterbury. Although no official records of the first school m Prebbleton exist, it is known that one functioned at least as far back as 1857. This was conducted privately by a Mrs Slater at her home on the farm now occupied by Mr W. T. Bell. She had four pupils, including James and Mary Ann, children of Mr Richard Prebble.

A few years later, Mr J. JN Tosswill acquired a farm in Prebbleton and as an earnest churchman made generous efforts to found a church and school. He presented five acres to the Churcn of England and there the first church was built about 1859. There also school was held at a fee of one shilling a week. This

association of church and school continued effectively until the national system of education was introduced in 1872.

This original building was then sold and removed to Longbeach where, in spite of its age, it still serves as a parish church. It was in this building that Queen Elizabeth and the Duke ol Edinburgh worshipped when they rested at Longbeach during the Royal visit. The first schoolmaster’s nouse (then occupied by Mr Cox) was near the present Prebbleton parish hall. The old home still survives as the central portion of the village store. One Room

The Education Department s school, which replaced the building now at Longbeach, was one room accommodating about 3U children. An extra room (now known as the parish hall) was added in 1876 and when a public library was joined to the north end of the original building they could be opened up to join into a fair-sized hall. This school was replaced by the preseni building in 1923 and more classrooms have since been added.

Heading the list of former pupils who have won distinction are Major-General Sir Howard Kippenberger and Brigadier J. T. Burrows.

The present staff of the school is: Mr H. L. Gleave (headmaster). Misses R. D. Hay and J. Mitchell, and Mr W. Clark. The school committee has Mr W. Shearer as chairman, Mrs C. M. Webb as secretary, and Messrs A. H. Busch, A. Chesmar, K. Corbett, S. W. Taylor, and J. K Smith as members. A parentteacher association was formed in 1946 and an amateur swimming club has been associated with the school since 1936, a learners pool being a recent addition.