MAIREHAU HIGH SCHOOL

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28929, 24 June 1959, Page 17

MAIREHAU HIGH SCHOOL

Council Agrees On Name And Type

Unanimous agreement that the new post-primary school to be erected at the corner of Hills. Briggs, and Kellys roads, should be co-educational and named the Mairehau High School. was reached by the Christchurch Post-primary Schools’ Council last evening. A council sub-committee’s report and local opinion all favoured co-education for the area, it was slated. The committee said that as the new school would draw pupils from the same area as the Avonside Girls’ High School, the Shirley Boys’ High School (and to some extent the Christchurch Girls’ High School), there would be adequate choice of the type of school preferred. The committee saw no point in taking another survey on preferences.

A pupil. Colleen Kiesanowski, writing for Form I at the Marshland Primary School, said the class was interested in the choice of name and suggested Stanbridge High School because George Stanbridge was the “very first entrant” to Marshland. Tlie council expressed its pleasure at receiving this letter and its constructive thought. Mr F. W. Walter said that having been associated with Mairehau all his life he thought some history might be helpful. The Rhodes family occupied land in the area very early and most of the settlers rented or bought their holdings from the family. The Rhodes’s were always extremely good to the settlers. When the old Avon Road Board offices were enlarged in 1916 to form a hall, it was named Mairehau. the Christian name of the daughter of Mr A E. G. Rhodes 'a well-known solicitor and former Mayor of Christchurch) who was now Mrs Major Hutton of Bangor Mr Rhodes was so delighted with the compliment that he presented for the hall a piano which was used until about two years ago. The name Mairehau became associated with the district and it was now becoming well known as a suburb. “The hall is next to the school site.” said Mr L. J. Broomfield. “A most interesting and helpful letter.” said Mr Duncan Mackay.

Professor George Jobberns moved, that in keeping with local colour, character, and associations, the school be named Mairehau High .School. “And no nonsense about Mairehau College.” “As the one who suggested that name originally. I second that.” said Mr A. Greenwood. Th*’ whole district favoured the name