South Canterbury Schools: Past & Present

Source: South Canterbury Museum

The following reference list is based on South Canterbury Schools: Past & Present, an undated South Canterbury Museum reference document recording known schools across South Canterbury. The original document groups schools by area and notes that schools marked with an asterisk had either closed or consolidated with other schools. It also includes a list of known published histories of South Canterbury schools.

Note: This list has been tidied for readability. Original spellings have mostly been retained, but obvious spacing and formatting issues have been cleaned up. Handwritten notes from the source have been included in brackets where relevant.

Schools in Timaru City

Catholic schools

  • Timaru Marist Brothers School — 1881–
  • Sacred Heart Primary School — 1879–
  • St Joseph’s Primary School, Douglas Street — later amalgamated with St Mary’s Primary School
  • St Mary’s Primary School, Kelvin Street — later amalgamated with St Joseph’s Primary School
  • St Patrick’s High School — 1938–1981
  • Mercy College — 1936–1981
  • Roncalli College — 1982–
    Formed by the amalgamation of Mercy College and St Patrick’s High School.

High schools

  • Craighead School — 1911–
  • Timaru Boys’ High School — 1880–
  • Timaru Girls’ High School — 1880–
  • Timaru Technical College — 1901–1983
    Later called Timaru College.
  • Mountainview High School — 1984–
    The relocated Timaru College.

Primary and other schools

  • Timaru Main School — 1874–
  • Gleniti School — 1879–
    Formerly called Wai-iti.
  • Timaru South School — 1881–
  • Waimataitai School — 1882–
  • Timaru West School — 1914–
  • Marchwiel School — 1950–
  • Grantlea School — 1959–
  • Highfield School — 1962–
  • Watlington Intermediate School
  • Maru School, I.H.C., Nile Street — 1966–
  • Seven Day Adventist School, Avenue Road
  • Timaru Grammar School — 1859–1874
    Located first in Barnard Street, then Browne Street. It was the forerunner of Timaru Main School.

The South Canterbury Museum document also notes that in the late 1860s and early 1870s there were nine small private schools in Timaru.

Other South Canterbury Schools — Locations Not Known

  • Riverlands Household School — 1909–1910
  • Pusey Household School — 1910
  • Struan Household School — 1911
  • Maungatiro Household School — 1919–1920
  • Elmsdale Private School, Timaru
    On the site of Selwyn Motor Camp. Described in the source as a school for “problem boys” in Timaru, c. 1920s.

Timaru Schools with Published Histories

  • Timaru Main School Jubilee 1874–1924
  • Timaru Main School 1874–1949
  • Timaru Main School Centenary 1874–1974
  • Timaru South School 1881–1956
  • Timaru South School Centenary 1881–1981
  • Waimataitai School 50th Jubilee 1882–1932
  • The History of Waimataitai School 1882–1957
  • Waimataitai School Centenary 1882–1982
  • Cheerful Yesterdays: History of Gleniti (Wai-iti) School 1879–1979
  • Marchwiel School Silver Jubilee 1950–1975
  • Grantlea School 25th Jubilee 1959–1984
  • Highfield School 25th Jubilee 1962–1987
  • Timaru Technical High School Magazine, Golden Jubilee Number, Vol. 3, December 1951
    Contains a short history of the school.
  • “Timaru Technical College”, in N.Z. Technical Schools’ Journal, April 1930
  • Timaru College 75th Anniversary 1901–1976
  • Timaru College – Mountainview High School 90th Anniversary 1901–1991
  • Timaru West School Golden Jubilee 1914–1964
  • Timaru West School 75th Jubilee 1914–1989
  • St Patricks High School, Timaru – Silver Jubilee 1938–1962
  • Diamond Jubilee Magazine of the Marist Brothers School, Timaru 1892–1952
  • Marist Brothers School, Timaru, Centennial 1881–1981
  • Timaru Catholic Secondary Schools Golden Jubilee 1937–1987
  • Convent of the Sacred Heart – Schoolday Memories — 1922
  • Sacred Heart Primary School, Timaru, Centenary 1879–1979
  • Craighead 1911–1986
    Contains school roll.
  • Craighead Diocesan School – School List 1911–1986
  • Schoolroom and Playing Field, Timaru Boys High School 1880–1980
  • Timaru Girls High School Chronicle 1880–1930
    Jubilee No. 19, March 1930.
  • Timaru Girls High School 1880–1955: Record of 75th Jubilee Celebrations
  • Lively Retrospect: Timaru Girls High School 1880–1980
  • Timaru Girls High School Hostel Reunion 1916–1921, 1921–1971
  • Timaru High School Act 1878 and Amendment Acts 1882, 1889 and 1958

Schools Close to Timaru City

  • Claremont School — 1878–
  • Fairview School — 1882–
    Formerly called Seaview, 1882–1886.
  • Adair School — 1887–1933
  • Kingsdown School — 1882–1983
  • Pareora East School — 1910–
  • Pareora West School — 1874–
    Handwritten note in the source says it amalgamated with Southburn and is now Beaconsfield School.
  • Washdyke School — 1874–
  • Salisbury School — 1899–
    Handwritten note: “South Burn”.

Published histories for schools close to Timaru

  • Fairview School 75th Jubilee 1882–1957
  • Fairview’s 100th 1882–1982
  • Washdyke School 1874–1974
  • Kingsdown School Centennial 1882–1982
    Contains school roll.
  • Centennial of Pareora West School 1874–1974
    Contains school roll.
  • The First 75 Years of the Salisbury School 1899–1974
  • Golden Days: The Claremont School Centennial Story 1878–1978
  • Looking Back: Part Two of the Claremont School Centennial 1878–1978

Schools North of Timaru

Geraldine and Temuka Regions

  • Seadown School — 1890–
  • Tarahaoa / Arowhenua Māori School — 1895–
  • St Joseph’s Catholic School, Temuka — 1883–
  • Temuka School — 1866–
  • Temuka District High School — 1883–1968
  • Temuka High School — 1968–
  • Milford School — 1873–
  • Clandeboye School — 1900–
  • Orton School — 1895–1937
  • Rangitata Island School — 1878–
  • Rangitata Station School — 1886–1975
  • Orari School — 1879–
  • Winchester School — 1870–
  • Te Awa School — 1917–1954
  • Waihi School — 1907–
  • Geraldine Flat School — 1881–1898
  • Geraldine School — 1867–
  • Geraldine District High School — 1901–1908 and 1914–1963
  • Geraldine High School — 1963–
  • Orari Bridge School — 1881–
    Handwritten note: 1995.
  • Arundel School — 1890–
  • Tripp Settlement School — 1895–
    Formerly Orari Gorge.
  • Peel Forest School — 1870–
    Handwritten note: 1975? Formerly Scotsburn.
  • Woodbury School — 1881–
  • Mesopotamia School — 1956–
    Handwritten note: 1988?
  • Gapes Valley School — 1881–1948
  • Te Moana School — 1891–
  • Pleasant Valley School — 1875–
  • Hilton School — 1875–
    Formerly Kakahu.
  • Kakahu Bush School — 1884–1938
  • Four Peaks School — 1911–1917
  • Waihi Bush School — 1872–1881
  • Watt Lowry School, Temuka — 1926–1945
  • North Orari School — 1879–1893
    Later called South Rangitata in 1885.
  • Belfield School — 1884–1927
  • All Hallowes Catholic School, Geraldine — 1945–1973
  • Whare-Kia-Ora Private School, Lewis Street, Geraldine — 1920s–1930s

Published histories for Temuka and Geraldine region schools

  • Seadown School 50th Jubilee 1890–1940
  • 70th Jubilee of the Arowhenua Maori School 1895–1965
  • Whakakotahitanga: Temuka District High School Jubilee 1866–1934
  • Temuka District High School 90th Reunion 1866–1956
  • 100 Years in Three Days: Temuka School 1866–1966
  • Temuka Schools 125th Jubilee 1866–1991
  • Waimate & Temuka Public School Sites Act 1881
  • The Waihian, Jubilee Number, November 1957
    Contains history of Waihi School.
  • History of Waihi School 1907–1982
    Contains school roll.
  • Winchester School Centenary 1870–1970
  • Now I Remember: St Josephs School, Temuka 1883–1983
  • 90th Anniversary of Woodbury School 1881–1971
  • Woodbury School Centennial 1881–1981
    Contains rolls of Waihi Bush School and Woodbury School.
  • Hilton and Gapes Valley Schools 1875–1975
    Contains rolls of both schools.
  • Centennial of the Rangitata Island School 1878–1978
    Contains school roll.
  • Orari School and Belfield School 1879–1956
  • Orari and Belfield Schools 1879–1979
  • Geraldine Public School Site Act 1889
  • Geraldine School Diamond Jubilee 1862–1932
  • Geraldine 1862–1962: A Centenary of Schooling
  • Schooling in Geraldine 1862–1987

Schools in and around the Pleasant Point Region

  • St Joseph’s Catholic School, Kerrytown — 1883–1946
  • St Joseph’s Catholic School, Pleasant Point — 1928–
  • Pleasant Point Primary School — 1868–
  • Pleasant Point District High School — 1905–
  • Sutherlands School — 1883–1938
  • Cave School — 1889–1937
  • Cannington School — 1891–
  • Tycho School — 1906–1948
  • Rangitira Valley School — 1886–1915
  • Upper Waitohi Flat School — 1885–1942
  • Lower Waitohi Flat School — 1875–1931
  • Opihi School — 1877–1935
  • Hazelburn School — 1879–1938
    Formerly Mt Gay.
  • Totara Valley School — 1885–1938
  • Rockwood School — 1911–1938
  • Waterfalls School — 1890–1894
  • Rosewill School — 1906–1939
  • Stew Point School, household school at Pleasant Point — 1928–19 September 1929

Published histories for Pleasant Point region schools

  • St Joseph’s School, Kerrytown 1883–1983
  • St Joseph’s Convent School, Pleasant Point 1928–1978
    Contains school roll.
  • Pleasant Point District High School 1868–1948
  • Pleasant Point: A Centenary of Schooling 1868–1968
  • Pleasant Days: A History of Public Education in the Pleasant Point Area 1868–1993
    Handwritten addition in the source.

Schools West of Albury

Including Fairlie and the Mackenzie Country

  • Albury School — 1882–
  • Mona Vale School — 1913–1944
  • Chamberlain School — 1904–1938
  • Mt Nessing School — 1918–1937
  • Te Ngawai School — 1903–1939
  • Cricklewood School — 1898–1948
  • Fairlie School — 1879–
  • Fairlie High School — 1919–
  • Mackenzie College
  • St Joseph’s Catholic School — 1939–
  • Allandale School — 1909–1939
  • Skipton School — 1902–1954
  • Ashwick Flat School — 1892–1942
  • Sherwood Downs School — 1917–1940
  • Kimbell School — 1885–1946
    Formerly called Silverstream.
  • Burkes Pass School — 1879–1944
  • Haldon Station School — 1979–
  • Lake Tekapo School — 1940–
  • Irishmans Creek School — 1950–1957
  • Tasman Downs School — 1923–1945
  • Lake Pukaki School — 1948–1969
  • Twizel District High School — 1970–
    Handwritten note: Twizel Area School?
  • Mount Cook School, Hermitage

Published histories for Albury, Fairlie and Mackenzie Country schools

  • One Hundred Years from Te Ngawai, Mt Nessing, Chamberlain and Monavale to the Albury School 1882–1982
  • Fairlie District High School 75th Jubilee 1879–1955
  • Fairlie District High School 85th Jubilee: The Past Ten Years
  • Fairlie 100 and Contributing Schools 1879–1979
  • Lake Tekapo School 1940–1990 & Other Small Schools in the Mackenzie Country from 1923
    Contains school roll.
  • Lake Pukaki School 21st Jubilee & Reunion 1948–1969
    Contains school roll.
  • St Joseph’s Catholic School, Fairlie 1939–1989
  • Kimbell School 1885–1946, by Bruce Keys, 1985
  • Aspects of Allandale
    Contains roll of school.
  • Sherwood Downs and Beyond
    Contains history of school and school roll.

Schools in Waimate County

  • Springbrook School — 1895–
    Handwritten note: 1995.
  • Southburn School — 1892–
    Formerly called Blackburn. Handwritten note: 1998? Also noted as amalgamated with Pareora West, now Beaconsfield.
  • Craigmore School — 1931–1942
  • Longridge School — 1928–1936
  • Timaunga School — 1913–
    Handwritten note: 199?
  • St Andrews School — 1881–
  • Esk Valley School — 1881–1975
  • Blue Cliffs School — 1910–
    Handwritten note: 19?
  • Kohika School — 1903–1938
  • Otaio School — 1876–
    Handwritten note: 1996?
  • Makikihi School — 1881–
  • Hunter School — 1879–
    Handwritten note: 96?
  • Hook School — 1881–
    Handwritten note: 96?
  • Waihaorunga School — 1902–
  • Mt Parker School — 1926–1937
  • Studholme School — 1893–1972
    Formerly Hanaton, then Nukuroa.
  • Morven School — 1879–
    Formerly Waihao.
  • Willowbridge School — 1904–
    Handwritten note: 1994!
  • Glenavy School — 1889–
  • Tawai School — 1890–1947
    Formerly called Waitaki Village Settlement.
  • Grays Corner School — 1906–1989
  • Ikawai School — 1882–
    Formerly called Redcliff.
  • Teschemakers School — 1918–1942
  • Waimate Main School — 1867–
  • Waimate Centennial School — 1955–
  • Waimate District High School — 1883–1928
  • Waimate High School — 1929–
  • St Patrick’s Catholic School, Waimate — 1880–
  • St Joseph’s Catholic School, Morven — 1917–1954
  • Lyalldale School — 1901–1929
  • Hook Bush School — 1911–1928
  • Kapua School — 1895–1939
  • Douglas School — 1912–1952
  • Waihao Downs School — 1901–
  • Waikakahi School — 1902–1939
  • Waituna Creek School — 1879–
  • Greenhills School — 1898–1905
  • Hakataramea School — 1890–
  • Hakataramea Valley School — 1884–
  • Station Creek School — 1884–1890
  • Cattle Creek School — 1927–
  • Round Hill School, Hakataramea Valley, household school — 1920
  • Little Roderick School, household school — 1910
  • Hakataramea Station School — 1922–1922

Published histories for Waimate County schools

  • A Brief Historical Outline of the Waimate Primary School from its Foundation in 1867 to 1932
  • Waimate High School Jubilee Magazine 1929–1954
  • Waimate High School Jubilee 1883–1929 to 1979
  • Waimate Primary and District High School 1867–1967
  • Waimate Main School 1867–1992
  • History of Otaio School 1876–1968
    Contains a school roll.
  • Timaunga School Golden Jubilee 1913–1963
    Contains a school roll.
  • Springbrook: 75 Years of Progress
  • The St Andrews Way: Through 100 Years 1881–1981
    Contains school roll.
  • Makikihi School Jubilee & District Reunion 1881–1931
  • Makikihi School Centennial 1881–1981
  • Blue Cliffs School & District Activities 1910–1960
    Contains school roll.
  • Hunter School 1879–1979
    Also contains history of Teschemaker School.
  • Waituna Creek School incorporating Hook Bush School 1879–1979
    Contains roll of both schools.
  • One Hundred Years of Education in Morven 1879–1979
    Contains Morven School roll as well as the roll of St Joseph’s Convent School.
  • Morven School Reunion – 16 October 1930
  • Hook School Reunion 1879–1931
  • Willowbridge School & District 1904–1979
    Contains school roll.
  • 75 Years: Jubilee of the Studholme School and District 1894–1969
  • Glenavy School 75th Anniversary 1889–1964
  • Glenavy School Centennial 1889–1989
  • Ikawai School 75th Jubilee 1882–1957
  • Ikawai School 90th Jubilee 1882–1972
  • Ikawai School: One Hundred Years 1882–1982
    Contains school roll.
  • Douglas Settlement District and School Jubilee 1911–1962
  • Haka Valley & Station Creek Schools 1884–1934
  • Echoes From the Past: Hakataramea Valley School 1884–1984
    Contains school roll.
  • Cattle Creek School: The First Fifty Years 1927–1977
    Contains school roll.
  • South of the Burn: Southburn School & District History