A new school for the children of Hau area - Part 1

Robyn Parkes

Distance from existing schools often lead to children missing out on an education, but in the Hau area in Motueka some 40-odd local children were attending the school at Whakarewa Home as well as the children who lived there, but the schoolroom was totally inadequate for the number.

The other nearest schools were Motueka, three to four miles away, and Rocky River, a similar distance. With new orchards being planted in the area it was seen to be obvious that the roll would grow, so something had to happen. The trustees of Whakarewa Home were willing to offer a section of one acre or more on a lease in perpetuity to erect a new school and also to give a grant of £ for £ on the cost of the building. It was agreed that the school would be a side school in conjunction with the Motueka School.

Tenders were invited for the erection of the school at Hau on the corner of College and Chamberlain Streets in November 1915. The tender was won by H. Olsen and the new single-roomed school was built on a level and large area of ground and catered for children in the infant and lower standard ages.

Miss M. Raikes was one of the first teachers at the school and proved herself to be a very able young lady. Attendance rates were good, at times reaching 91%. By late 1919 more room was needed and a request for a grant to enlarge the school was sent to the Education Department, who in turn declined it the following year resulting in the Chief Inspector recommending alternative proposals to reduce the roll number at Hau.

After considerable discussion, a public meeting of residents was held and a deputation approached the Minister of Education with full power to present the case on behalf of the Hau residents, explaining the fears that if children beyond Standard 4 were forced to attend the main school it would be an unjust action.

Despite this, the recommendations made by the Senior Inspector were adopted: that in future Standard 4 be taught only at the main school so that as children at Hau reached the age of 12 they had to transfer to Motueka.

To prevent overcrowding, admission of newcomers living beyond Mrs Raikes house on King Edward St or beyond the junction of Green Lane and Queen Victoria were to be refused.

Under the teachership of assistant Miss Raikes the work of the pupils was of good quality, and she was praised by the Inspector for her thoughtful and skilful teaching. The children were steadily increasing in their knowledge, were alert, attentive and well behaved with most being ready for move upwards at the end of the year.

The roll in 1928 stood at 44 and the problem of overcrowding was again a problem. The Motueka School Committee remedied this by making the shelter shed fit for teaching. The windows were glassed, the roof lined, furniture brought in from the main school and a sheet of hyloplate, a substitute for the old-fashioned blackboard, installed.

At the end of 1929 Miss Raikes resigned after being transferred to another position at the main Motueka school.

A farewell function took place when parents and children alike could show their appreciation to the teacher. Effie Parker became the new assistant teacher.