Memories: Jack Wendelborn

“ I attended Stratford Primary School in Primer 2 (I started my schooling in Christchurch). Miss Papps was Infant Mistress and Pat Tyrer the Head Master. My teacher in Standard 6 was Dick Thomas was an outstanding teacher (even if the boys did cut up his straps. He used to say “plenty more where they came from”. I found out later, his straps were supplied by my father who with partner (Bake & Co.) were the Saddlers in Stratford). L.J. Furrie was then Headmaster.
I am now 95 years old and would find it difficult to get to Stratford for your Jubilee celebrations – however I wish your committee a successful Celebration.

Yours sincerely
Jack Wendelborn.”

Standard 4 1922
Back Row: Leadbeater, Frank Young, Rex Harkness, George James, Alf Yandle, Milne, D. Stewart, Brown, Keith Paynter, Jock Stewart.
Middle Row: Vic Inglis, Morrison, - , Doug Butcher, Les Rudings, Sid Barlow, Keith Paynter, Nicholls (?)
Front Row: Vin Young, Jack Wendleborn, Jim Klee, Bob Boyd, Bill Kelly, Jim Pratt, Chum Cottier, Baily, McFarlane. (Note: there were two Keith Paynters in the class)

Memories: Ngaire Anderson (Vossler)

I attended Stratford Primary School from 1925 to 1932.

When I started the infant school was in the old building, Cloton Road side of property.

My first teacher was Miss Martin assisted by Pupil teacher Miss Doris Callaghan. Later my teacher was Miss Elley (Mrs Chadwick).

When in primers, we had ‘toothbrush drill’. Each child had a toothbrush and mug and were given salt water and shown how to brush their teeth. Also a medical exam by Dr. Gunn, probably every 2 – 3 years.

In Standard 1 I was taught by Mrs Anderson. She spent many years teaching that class and I think probably in the same room in the original wooden building in the main school (on Fenton Street). She was a ‘no nonsense’ teacher but did a very good job.

Standard 2, saw Miss Hetty Lindup (later Mrs Farqhar), a sweet gentle lady; Standard 3 Miss Findlay; Standard 4 Mr Morrison (Lofty). I still remember poems he taught us. Standard 5 Miss Richie, with thick fuzzy hair and a temper that went with it. No such a thing as no hitting or where we got hit. Standard 6 Mr Tunnicliffe, what a great year and what a great teacher. I enjoyed S.P.S. but Standard 6 was the highlight. I’m sure we learnt because we wanted to learn and were so encouraged by this man. Overseeing all this was Mr Furrie. Respected and loved by most of the children, he knew us all, and to be sent to show good work to him was the greatest reward. The stamp put on the back of the hand was ‘washed around’ for days.

The ‘cocoa shed’ in the grounds was used for many things and mainly as a lunch venue. This was the domain of Mr Rowson caretaker. Much respected by the children. Also maker of the ‘cocoa’ 1 penny a cup.

The Fancy Dress Ball. This was held annually in the town hall. For weeks before we had dance time learning folk dances. There were all kinds of costumes: cowboys, fairies, pirates, queens etc etc. My father was for many years on the School Committee and took his place, at the door to the back of stage ushering the classes in turn to supper. The wives spent the day making sandwiches, cakes, fruit jellies etc. and Mrs Furrie decorated the tables beautifully with vases of flowers.

A number of my school mates attended the school right through; Hugh Thomson, Eileen Callaghan, Pat Vellers, Neville Turnball, Myrtle Sorenson, Hilda Russ, Eljean Aitken (?), Davina Bird, Percy Vincent, Kay Petrie, Owen Masters, Gwen Whittlestone, Fred Lindup, Anna Morrison, Joyce Voght, Thelma Burgess, Hazel Femmell, Nancy Pratt, were some I remember in my class.

Maybe some of this will help you with your Jubilee preparation. Best wishes for a happy reunion.

Stratford: Shakespearean Town Under the Mountain

( Stratford’s Early Years: 1878 – 1890) pp 19, 20

“Education was another priority for Stratford’s growing population. The Taranaki Education Board claimed in June 1880 that there were no funds available for a school in the town, but by November 60 children were attending ‘half-time’ private schools in Stratford and Midhirst. Run by a Mr Donnelly and Mr Tom Blair, they ere attended mainly by children of the men working on the roads and railway, which were described as a ‘floating’ population. A Mr Johnson also ran a half-time school in Tayler’s Boarding House in 1880.

Agitation and a petition from parents eventually bore fruit and a site for a new public school on Fenton Street was gazetted in June 1881. Mr William Johnson was appointed headmaster for the new school that was finally opened in April 1882. Though elderly, he lived in a picturesque punga house built on several acres on Cardiff Road.”

The New S.P.S.

In 1947, an appeal committee to raise four thousand pounds ($8000) to put the school grounds and assembly hall in order was set up at a public meeting. The chairman could not see why the school should contribute to a hall, when the High Schools obtain theirs as right.

The Regan Street school was opened officially on April 21, 1948 by the Minister of Education Hon. T. H. McCombes.

Later that year sixteen hundred pounds ($3,200) was announced as available to complete the school grounds. A new Dental Clinic was planned as well as a Headmaster’s house. In September Mr Jackson took up duties as new Headmaster.

During 1949 the Assistant caretaker resigned. Standard 5-6 (Year 7-8) girls took turns to sweep out the classrooms, and the wage was divided among the girls.

May 1949 saw the roll of SPS rise to 600. The assembly hall was completed and electric bells were installed. Large numbers of boys were turning up to Saturday football, and a regular competition seemed probable for the following year.