Pioneers knew value of good education

Press, 18 January 1978, Page 8

Pioneers knew value of good education

Education in Canterbury boasts a rich and highly interesting history reflecting the intentions of the founders of the province to give Christchurch the title “the Cambridge of New Zealand.” One writer noted in 1900, “Those who came out to Canterbury to build here another England fully recognised that education — primary, secondary and university — must be open to, the children, if the new community were to take a leading place in the onward march of progress.” The same account noted at the time that Canterbury College and Christ’s College “have sent forth brilliant men and women who are now engaged in politics, literature, art or the professions and are taking part in building up a great colonial nation in these islands.”

It was also pointed out that quite a few old students had gone to the Mother Country to occupy

responsible and honourable positions.

The same account highly praised the accomplishments of the Boys’ High School, the Girls’ High School and the Normal School and noted that, at the time, “two large primary schools are established within the boundaries of Christchurch and there are many other schools in the suburbs and districts adjacent to the city.” A far cry, indeed, from the educational complex which operates in Canterbury today. The Boys’ High School, which was under the control of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College in 1900, was opened in May 1881. On the day of opening there was an attendance of 83 boys; by 1900 that figure had sored to all of 253. The school staff at the time consisted of the headmaster, nine full-time assistant masters, one part-time master and visiting masters in drill, swimming, singing, model

drawing and carpentering. By 1902 the school was giving greater prominence to “modern subjects such as history, modern languages and drawing. The Education Board of the District of North Canterbury' was established in 1877 and had jurisdiction over the counties of Kaikoura, Amuri, Cheviot, Ashley. Akaroa, Selwyn and Ashburton — embracing the whole of rhe country between the Rangitata and Clarence rivers. In 1878 the board supervised 106 district schools and four aided schools with a total enrolment of 13,647 (and average attendance of 10,076). By 1900 the board had 202 schools with 19,850 students on the rolls, the teaching staff at the time, excluding 44 “sewing mistresses,” totalled 494 teachers. The primary schools of 1900 included" the Normal Training College and School at Montreal and

Kilmore Streets comprising the training college. the boys', girls' and infants’ departments and the “Model School.” The latter, according to one historian, was conducted on the ground floor of the main building and was designed “to afford instruction to students in the methods of teaching in country shcools where the pupils range from infants to big boys and girls.” In 1900 the boys’ department boasted a roll of about 300, the girls’ department somewhat less and the infants’ department some 300 in average attendance. “The kindergarten system is taught thoroughly and recognised modern methods of instructing the very young are adopted generally throughout the institution,” the account relates. In 1877 there was established the Gloucester Street Public School. It contained 14 rooms "capable of accommodating 1200 children.” At the time the Gloucester Street Public School was understood to be the largest in the Colony and even boasted an 80 x 35tt “swimming bath.” The West Christchurch Public School, fronting Lincoln Road and the South Park, was "situated a considerable distance from the road so that the noise of street traffic does not in any way interfere with school duties.” It, too, had a swimming bath, but measuring only 75 x

The Sydenham Public School was built in 1873 at the corner of Colombo and Brougham streets and in 1900 had an average attendance of 351) boys, 350 girls and between 4ou and 500 infants. The Addington Public School at Jerrold and Somerset streets was opened in 1881, contained five rooms and accommodated 500 students. Two of the rooms in the two-building school were reserved tor infants. In 1891 the Waltham Public School was established on the corner of Waltham Road and Darwin St. In J9OO it had five rooms and a roll of 504. Also in operation about 1900 was the Richmond Public School fronting Stanmore Road and London and Cumberland streets. It became an independent school in 1882, and boasted tour rooms, each able to accommodate 64 children. One outstanding feature of the Richmond Public School was its 75 x 35ft swimming bath constructed in 1892 at a cost of £9OO. It was surounded by a brick wall, had dressing rooms, a shower bath and a platform for visitors.