Avondale Primary School

Avondale: Where we came from, where we are now , and where we are going

Avondale Primary in the Past

Whau District School was first established in 1870. The school was located in the Whau Community Hall. In 1882 there was a two-classroom school was built on this site, and the school was officially opened. In the year 1883 the school name changed from 'Whau District' to Avondale Primary School

Past School.

By 1886 the school roll had risen to 175. The School Committee asked the Auckland Education Board for more rooms but were advised to send the senior children to Morningside School instead. By the end of the year the Education Board had been persuaded by the School Committee to build a further two classrooms.

The School Committee decided that a month's Christmas holiday was enough. Ten pounds was raised to start a school library district School 7 pounds

In 1870 the controversy over the Local Hall being used as a school, the School Committee decided to apply to the Government for a new building to be erected. Negotiations were finalised 1882

In 1887 the School Committee from Avondale Primary decided to increase the Christmas holiday to five weeks

Original School.

In 1890 there were staffing problems back then as the average daily attendance determined how many teachers the school would have. It was agreed that on wet days, when children usually stayed home, if fewer than 50 pupils out of the 170 on the roll attended, the school would close.

In the early 1900's class sizes were enormous. Some classes reaching eighty-five pupils. The oldest teacher we found was Mrs Newman at the age of 97 years old. Her class had over sixty children!

Register from 1919. Inside register.

We found this old register from 1919 which showed that there were nearly 600 children at the school then in only 8 classes. Today we have about 370 in 14 classes.

Mr Elliot who is currently still at Avondale Primary started here in 1973 explains how class sizes were quite large back in the days but have now lowered to approximately between 29 - 32 pupils.

LOOKING AT OBJECTS FROM THE SCHOOL'S PAST

The old milk bottle

In the past children got free milk at school to make them healthy and give them strong bones and teeth. Mr. Stockton remebered free milk but said it was warm and yuck!

Milk and ink.

The pens

Children used to use ink pens to write. They were made from wood and metal. You had to dip the end of the pen in a small pot of ink to write. It was very easy to make mistakes or smudge it and the children would get in trouble (maybe even get the strap or cane!).

The old school bag

This was made of leather with a metal buckle. It was very old and smelled a bit! You couldn't fit much in it.

Bag.

The school lunch box

This box was made of leather as well which was very hard. It had plenty of space for a nice big lunch.

Lunch box.

The school plaque

This very shiny brass plaque was on the outside of the school for nearly 80 years from 1915. It celebrated the support of Mr. John Bollard (the man who named Avondale), who helped fund raise and look after the school for over 50 years. Without him there may never have been an Avondale Primary or Suburb, so thanks Mr. Bollard!

Plaque.

The school registers

We looked at some very old registers. We found out that in 1871 there were 31 children, in 1906 there were 242, in 1913 there were 500 and in 1922 there were 592. We also found out that boys and girls were taught in separate classes.

Register from 1919.

The inspectors report

We looked at a very old report explaining how well the school was doing. The children were taught writing and reading to a fair standard but were taught history and geography badly. They owned lots of maps of Europe, Asia and Africa but none of New Zealand. They were taught needlework two afternoons a week.

AVONDALE PRIMARY PRINCIPALS

  • Current – Cathie Mcleod
    Mrs Macleod.
  • Mr Oates
  • Mrs Scott
  • 1974 – Mr Lewis
  • 1970 – Mr Sprosen
    1970 - Mr Sprosen.
  • 1968 – Mr Bush
  • 1965 – Mr Marshall
  • 1958 – Mr Gaulton
  • 1950 – Mr Crawshaw
  • 1988 – Mr Rolands
  • 1947 – Mr De Montalk
  • 1945 – Mr Jones
  • 1931 – Mr H. Darrow
    1931 - Mr H. Darrow.
  • 1910 – Mr J. Hogwood
  • 1894 – Mr J. Scott
  • 1882 – Mr T. Mayhew
  • 1881 – Mr J. Glenney
  • 1875 – Mr T.H. Smith
  • 1873 – Mr T. Hardwick