Recollections from various sources - section two
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KAIKORAI SCHOOL MEMORIES 1930-1938
The original school was called Linden School, it opened in 1869 and in a 1888 directory it is called 'Government School', in Tay St., now Tyne St. In a 1902 directory it appears as Kaikorai School. The head teacher Mr.David Mc.Laughlan lived in Tweed st. Now Wright Street.
It is still situated on the upper side of Tyne Street, one block down from Highgate in Roslyn. There is a row of houses along Highgate whose back boundaries are divided from the school grounds by a high fence.
Kaikorai school was solidly built of white Oamaru stone and grey granite blocks, with solid walls between classrooms which held classes of 30-40. This building was demolished in 1969 and a new one built.
School heating was Pot Bellied Stoves, one per classroom. I assume the teachers and the janitor were responsible for their care, I don't remember, but they were lovely and warm.
Classrooms - Playgrounds
Primer Classes were held in the wooden building off the Main Playground.
They had their own playground down steps between their class rooms and the other wooden building next to the Arch entrance.
Standards were in the main stone school. Some of these were tiered, and seated 30-40.
I remember the teacher who used to throw chalk at those not paying attention.
Emergency space in the school hall was used as a classroom when numbers were too high. We were there when I was in Standard 1. I think later it became an actual classroom.
There were play sheds along the sides of each playground and toilet blocks along the back fence. We ate our lunch in the play sheds and stayed till the whistle blew, though I remember I mostly went home for lunch. We spent play times in the play sheds on wet and cold windy days, and played games etc.
Tennis courts were marked out on the playground for summer sport and basketball (later net ball) courts marked out for winter sport. No doubt hopscotch markings were there also. Every morning we had "Fall In" in the main playground where we saluted the Union Jack as it was raised on the flagpole while the school band played. At this time the Union Jack was the National flag.
This playground was for the lower Standards and girls. The 'big boys' had their own playground right round the other side off Wright Street. I remember being rather in awe of it. I guess that was because it was "out of bounds" to us!
Friday mornings: The school band led us marching round the blocks. We were so proud of ourselves. In our days it was a drum and bugle band and I think the only one in Dunedin, maybe further afield. It must have been going for many years as our uncles, Ernie and Ted, were in it about 1917. It was a fife and drum band then.
The band always played at the formal Anzac Day Service which I remember was held at the memorial arch in Tyne Street.
Lessons:
Writing We started with slates and slate pencils. Then progressed to pencil and paper. Later to pen and ink using pens with nibs. Each desk had an ink well, or two. These were kept filled and clean by class monitors. Now they have computers.
Standard 4 girls did hand sewing. I made a book cover, still have it, and pair of knickers and a cooking cap and apron for next year.
Standard 5 & 6 Girls had cooking, Boys had woodwork. We walked to and from Arthur Street School in City Road. Can't remember if it was all year or just 1 or 2 terms. Don't remember walking in bad weather.
Music in Schools.
Broadcast weekly direct into each classroom by the National Programme separate programmes for different classes. The music was really enjoyed by most of us. In later years I found it really useful, and still remember some of them well.
Sports
Standard 4 pupils had one Term of swimming at the Public Tepid Baths in Moray Place. It was fun, but I didn't really learn to swim.
Regular drill periods were held in the school grounds outside the Primer rooms, to gramophone using music from Dominion Song Books and others. One of the songs was 'Boney was a Warrior'.
Sports Days were held ?? annually in the Nairn Street Reserve.
School Concerts were held in the Kaikorai Community Hall in Nairn Street, situated between the corner grocer and the dairy.
Milk in Schools - this was introduced during my time at Primary School. Half pint brown glass bottles (to protect from light and heat) with a straw were given out to each child. I didn't actually enjoy it, but it was quite drinkable. I don't know where ours was stored, but have no recollections of "warm" "off" milk' that some people talk about. Our folk must have made sure ours was stored suitably away from the sun.
My Mum and all her sisters and brothers except Cis, attended Kaikorai School from 1898 till circa 1920. None of that generation went on to Secondary School except Aunty Dorothy - the others were jealous.
In my generation the law said all pupils had to remain at school till 15 years of age. This was not looked on with great favour by the parents of my generation and I for one was very upset when I had to leave as soon as I reached 15 - not continue to the end of the year - because I had a sister starting school the next year. (This was Secondary School).
Tertiary Education was not even considered except for those who were intending to become doctors, lawyers etc.
Training College for those intending to become teachers. Mostly it depended on the financial situation of the parents.
The years around 1930 were depression years and money was very hard to come by. Families where the father had employment were very blessed. It was a hard time for all and luxuries were very few. But it didn't do us any harm.