Stratford Primary School - In the Beginning

On February 5, 1935, SPS was notified by the Taranaki Education Board that “the school was to close at 12.30 pm on account of the hot weather! The teachers were advised of fire prevention and temperance schemes.” Quoted from School Log Book.

Another quote, in 1936, was that “A questionnaire circulated by the N.Z. Educational Institute found that no child slavery exists in Stratford. A committee looked into jobs the children worked at before and after school.”

School opened on March 1 in 1937 due to an epidemic of Infantile Paralysis.

On May 12 of the same year the children were let out at 2.15 pm instead of the usual 3.15pm because they had successfully banked one hundred pounds ($200) in the Post Office Savings Bank scheme. It was also the coronation of King George VI.

Under the Mountain

Bard Wired: Under the Mountain

Extract from Centennial Book, 1882-1982.

Ex-SPS teacher Gordon Innes (1946-1952) revealed an embarrassing moment for him as he was taking an afterschool rugby practice.

“One of the backs made what I considered an error of judgment and I called out in a loud voice “You chump……you’ll never make an All Back!” Imagine my surprise when on turning around I found the Headmaster, Mr T.B. Jackson, standing right behind me.

My second wave of embarrassment occurred a few years later when ……….did in fact become an All Black and acquitted himself with distinction. I hope John McCullough has forgiven my error of judgement.”

John McCullough represented Stratford High School in the 1st XV for three years, and as Captain in 1953. He played rugby for the Stratford club. During his Taranaki career he was in the victorious team which brought home the Ranfurly Shield in 1956. John was an All Black in 1959.

Foot Prints in the Sand

A letter from a Past Pupil:

… For a short time, almost a life time ago, I was a student at your school.

I lived with my parents, my two sisters and two brothers in Craig Street, off Broadway, for a few years during the late 70s.

Although we lived in Stratford for only a short while, I consider that time as the most happiest of my childhood years.

The reason for this letter is to express my joy and congratulations on a wonderful website and to pass on my following thoughts and best wishes to you, your staff and all the students of such a very, very, special school.

Some of the fondest memories of my junior school days are of the times I would walk to 'Stratford Normal' with my younger sister, (in the snow). We would crunch along in our gum boots looking forward to the warmth and security of our classrooms.

I can remember most of the teachers I had and can appreciate now, how their influence and sometimes stern but fair methods of learning helped shape my life and to better prepare me for the years that laid ahead.

Mrs Davies, Mrs George, Mrs Stringer and Mr Grey are just some of the names of the faces I see sometimes in my dreams at night of those happy days spent growing up in the mountain town of Stratford. Such a wonderful place for kids to grow up.

The photos on your website have brought back joyful memories of playing paddle tennis on the courts and British bulldog out on the fields.

Some funny memories were of visits to the dental clinic... I remember how the classroom would suddenly go quiet when a knock at the door would reveal a fellow student, standing there with one hand cupping his jaw and the other holding out a small note. The dreaded note, who would be next to go to the dental clinic? I can laugh now.

I can remember the walks to the swimming pool where we would stop on the bridge to gaze down at the rainbow trout in the river. Such crystal clean water.

I remember the little dairy across the road that prepared school lunches and I can remember the smell of banana through the corridors. …

I remember how we would all sing Maori songs together in class. Sadly, that kind of 'culture embracing' doesn't happen very often over here. I would miss those times.

… My memories are still quite clear and after browsing through your website, I am reminded only of happy times and will cherish them always. I am also left feeling very proud to have been a student of Stratford Primary.

My advice to all the children at your school, particularly the older ones, is to cherish these years and to take the experiences and memories with them into the years ahead. Each and every one will look back at these days someday and their hearts will cry too…

Jubilee Jottings

In 1894, the school committee complained that the school was understaffed (three staff members plus two pupil teachers) considering the roll was now 262.

In 1892 the Stratford District High School was constituted with Mr. Tyler as Headmaster- the roll opened with six.

In 1910, with the town population approximately 2000, the number of pupils at the schools was 544, of whom 112 were doing secondary work.

Early in 1922, when the population of the town now at 4000, Stratford Technical High School was opened. The Fenton Street site reverted to being a primary school. Following the retirement of MrTyler at the end of 1921, after 29 years as Principal, Mr L J Furrie was appointed Principal of Stratford Primary School.

SPS In the Beginning

On April 21,1948, the school on Regan Street was officially opened by the Minister of Education, the Hon.T.H. McCombs. It was built at a time of great shortages of materials which had retarded progress.

Over the years, Headmasters have kept Log Books of the life of the school. These Logs relate the daily problems encountered. Over the years mention has been made of fund raising, attendance, discipline, serious illnesses and epidemics, truancy, fires, school radio acquisition, cleaning of the school, cocoa at lunch time, Galas, robberies, Picnics and School Ball, repairs to the school etc. A wonderful record of the life of Stratford Primary School!

Stratford Primary School In the Beginning

During 1950 the Cocoa scheme was introduced to the school. A 1953 entry in the Log Book kept by the principal states that “5005 cups of cocoa (at a penny a cup) were sold at lunch times. For at least 22 years cocoa did not exceed a penny a cup.”

1954 saw the roll of the school rise to 730. With a staff of only 17 (including the Principal), this would have meant that class sizes would have been well over 40 pupils!

In 1957 SPS celebrated it’s 75th Jubilee. However, 200 pupils had already transferred to the newly opened Stratford South School (Avon). SPS was left with a roll of 519 and 16 teachers, which would have reduced class sizes considerably!

Jubilee Jottings - 1941

1941 seems to have been an interesting year for the school. Three classes opened with 51, 53 and 52 pupils each’ while other classes had 30-40 pupils.

The Centennial of Taranaki was celebrated by an excursion to New Plymouth to view a reenactment of the landing on the beach by the English settlers.

Buckets, filled with sand, were ready as emergency precautions. The sand was to put on incendiary bombs if they were dropped.

At the end of the year, Mr Furrie was farewelled after 20 years service. A presentation of a canteen of cutlery was made.

Extract from Headmaster’s Log book.

On February 3, 1931, a ”very severe earthquake was felt at 10.48 am. Children out at play. No damage caused. The shock was very severely felt in Napier and Hastings. Over 200 people lost their lives.” This, of course, was the Napier Earthquake.

February 26 “Six pupils from Napier entered. Stratford has accommodated a number of refugees from Napier and Hastings.”

The following year it was noted that the school picnic was not a success because only 350 people attended. In July another severe earthquake was felt. On November 7 the school was closed to celebrate “the official opening of the Stratford Main Trunk Railway to Okahukura; town enfete”