Waltham School History
BRIEF HISTORY of WALTHAM SCHOOL, 1891 -
BRIEF HISTORY of WALTHAM SCHOOL, 1891 -
The orginal school was designed by W.T Schmidt, the Education Board's architect and built by Messrs Davison & Wilson. The original school was built of brick and consisted of 3 large rooms and a small classroom totalling 1870 sq.ft. in area to accommodate 300 pupils
The orginal school was designed by W.T Schmidt, the Education Board's architect and built by Messrs Davison & Wilson. The original school was built of brick and consisted of 3 large rooms and a small classroom totalling 1870 sq.ft. in area to accommodate 300 pupils
1891 - The school opened with a staff of a headmaster, three assistance and four pupil teachers and a roll of 250 increasing to 420 for the year
1891 - The school opened with a staff of a headmaster, three assistance and four pupil teachers and a roll of 250 increasing to 420 for the year
1893 - a playground replaced the garden and was enclosed by a macrocarpa fence. Beautification of the grounds, including planting of a large number of trees and shrubs became a priority
1893 - a playground replaced the garden and was enclosed by a macrocarpa fence. Beautification of the grounds, including planting of a large number of trees and shrubs became a priority
1894 - an additional classroom was required to provide room for the increasing roll which had reached 550 pupils
1894 - an additional classroom was required to provide room for the increasing roll which had reached 550 pupils
1906 - Three additional classrooms were erected and the brick building was completed
1906 - Three additional classrooms were erected and the brick building was completed
1923 - the school was remodeled with the eight large classrooms being converted into thirteen smaller classrooms.
1923 - the school was remodeled with the eight large classrooms being converted into thirteen smaller classrooms.
1929 - With strong demand and support from the school and surrounding community improvements to the amenities were undertaken. These included replacing the heating and ventilation system, new north facing windows , an asphalt court, two large shelter sheds (one for girls and one for boys) and several bicycle racks. A teachers' room was erected detached from the main building
1929 - With strong demand and support from the school and surrounding community improvements to the amenities were undertaken. These included replacing the heating and ventilation system, new north facing windows , an asphalt court, two large shelter sheds (one for girls and one for boys) and several bicycle racks. A teachers' room was erected detached from the main building
1939 - The first four roomed open air verandah blocks was completed. The roll stood at 442
1939 - The first four roomed open air verandah blocks was completed. The roll stood at 442
1949 - The establishment of the Sight Saving Class. Pupils with visual impairments were able to receive an education that was not available elsewhere in the city
1949 - The establishment of the Sight Saving Class. Pupils with visual impairments were able to receive an education that was not available elsewhere in the city
1950 - The school Dental Clinic was opened on site
1950 - The school Dental Clinic was opened on site
1954 - The school pool was opened and went on to host regular swimming carnivals for several years
1954 - The school pool was opened and went on to host regular swimming carnivals for several years
1962 - The Sight Saving Class was integrated into ordinary classes
1962 - The Sight Saving Class was integrated into ordinary classes
1965 - Administration block built
1965 - Administration block built
1966 - 75th Jubilee celebrated. The school role stood at 308
1966 - 75th Jubilee celebrated. The school role stood at 308
1970-1972 - Demolition of the old school and major redevelopment of the school was undertaken, with more improvements made in 1975 and 1978
1970-1972 - Demolition of the old school and major redevelopment of the school was undertaken, with more improvements made in 1975 and 1978
1991 - 100 year Jubilee. The school had three teaching/administration blocks with two of these housing four classrooms - a resource room and children's toilet. A library and community school hall with a Dental clinic. The swimming pool and changing sheds with toilets were in regular use. An all weather adventure playground, 2 outdoor courts and large north facing grounds made up the rest of the school. The school roll was now at approx 160.
1991 - 100 year Jubilee. The school had three teaching/administration blocks with two of these housing four classrooms - a resource room and children's toilet. A library and community school hall with a Dental clinic. The swimming pool and changing sheds with toilets were in regular use. An all weather adventure playground, 2 outdoor courts and large north facing grounds made up the rest of the school. The school roll was now at approx 160.
2018-2019 - Major upgrade to Waltham School classrooms following the 2011 earthquake.
2018-2019 - Major upgrade to Waltham School classrooms following the 2011 earthquake.
2022 - School role is 275
2022 - School role is 275
Please feel free to email in any old school photos you have to share with this page.
Please feel free to email in any old school photos you have to share with this page.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TO THE FOLLOWING FOR INFORMATION AND PHOTO'S SUPPLIED
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TO THE FOLLOWING FOR INFORMATION AND PHOTO'S SUPPLIED
- Credit and thanks to the authors of the 75th and 100th Jubilee books which were fund of knowledge and photos.
- Paul Morris - for the suggestion of adding a history page and for supplying some amazing photos