Country school celebrates

Former Taieri Beach School pupil Maurice Knarston (91) and pupil David Street (5) cut the cake...
Former Taieri Beach School pupil Maurice Knarston (91) and pupil David Street (5) cut the cake while Agnes (nee Liddell) Pratt (89) looks on, at the school's 150th jubilee celebrations on Saturday. Photos by Helena de Reus.
Pupils perform a song during  the  jubilee.
Pupils perform a song during the jubilee.

Young and old gathered in Taieri Mouth over the weekend to celebrate 150 years of the seaside township's school.

Taieri Beach School opened in 1862, and now has about 30 pupils from year 1 to 8 and two classrooms.

Jubilee celebrations included a barbecue lunch, a singing performance by today's pupils, a cake-cutting ceremony, and group photos on Saturday afternoon, followed by a dance at Leitch Memorial Hall in the evening.

Jubilee organising committee member Jeannine Basquin said about 150 people attended the two-day event.

"It's been such a wonderful weekend, with plenty sharing stories of their school days."

Noel Gillan (84) taught at the school from 1959 to 1964, and said smaller schools had a good sense of community.

"I've always loved this place since I moved here. I enjoyed the six years I taught here.

"Country kids seem to be something special."

Since his time teaching at the school, it had developed from just one brick building to having twoclassrooms, administration and resource rooms.

Principal Jeff Burrow said he was very proud of the achievements of past and present boards of trustees and school staff.

The jubilee celebrations finished on Sunday afternoon with a shared lunch at the school.

helena.dereus@odt.co.nz

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