Centenary Year For Makaraka School

All the memories of school day good times, and misdemeanours, came crowding back for those students of yesteryear as they attended the Makaraka School Centenary celebrations on March 28, 29 and 30. A Wine and Cheese Evening, the Roll Call and Cutting of the Cake, photographs (old and new), a cabaret, and church service were all highlights of a very enjoyable reunion.

The honour of cutting the magnificent three-piece cake fell to Mrs Jesse Dowell (nee Birrell) and Mr Harry Laing, who were the oldest girl and boy ex-pupils attending the function. Mr Laing started school in 1892 and Mrs Dowell in 1894.

Part of the large crowd waiting for the roll to be called.

Six other people who attended the school before 1900 were also present at the celebrations and they are

From left, Mr Bill Gray (1899), Mr Seymour Jones (1896), Mrs Jessie Wallace (nee Farmer, 1897), and Mr Cy Tidswell (1897).

Mr John O'Donneil (1897), and Mr Oswald Birrell (1898).

Mostly responsible for the great success of the celebrations are, from left, present headmaster Pax Kennedy, secretary Glenys Eagles, and chairman Ernie Kent. A series of murals depicting various stages of the Makaraka School's development over the century was executed by Mr Norman McLean with the help of present day school pupils. Four of the murals shown are of the following years.

1875-1890.

1891-1906.

1923-1938.

1975.

Present day pupils at the Makaraka School took part in a parade which showed the various modes of travel to school over the last 100 years. Walking to school was elementary in the very early days. On arriving at school particular care was taken in washing mud off both parents' and pupils' feet before meeting the teacher. Roads were not then what they are today.

Mrs Linda Goldsmith and her daughter Shelley re-enact those days while Kathy Kohlis

plays the part of a teacher.

For those who lived some distance from the school the horse was used for transport.

As times changed the gig was used to bring children to school.

John Dwight's Model T Ford was used to depict the "modern transport" of the 1920s.

Over latter years school buses were brought into use.

Until today when sometimes the latest in cars does the trick.

Among those attending the celebrations were

Also there were

Mrs Elsie Moore (nee Muir), Wally and Sonja Moore, and their children Megan (back), Kirsty, Nicola and Gerard. Mrs Moore, her son and grandchildren make up three generations to go to the Makaraka School.

Mrs Moore's sister Alice Sexton (nee Muir) also attended the school.

Joyce Kirton (nee Hart), and Theo and Irene Bolton.

From left, sisters Pat Bennett and Dawn Wagner (nee Jeffrey), Les and Jean Ellis, and Eleanor and Terry Jeffrey.

Noel Howie, Ernie Kent, Joe Quinn and Gerald Fuller.

Janice Croskery (nee Martin), Linda Leslie (nee Houghton), Norm Leslie, Dorothy Smith (nee Bury), Fay Flavell (nee Bury) and Dennis Kane.

From left, in front, Berys McDonald (nee Baker), Irene Baker (1913), Tana Baker (1913), Horace Baker (1912) and Stuart Baker. At back, Nicola Baker, Marcia and Graham Whibley, Brent Baker, D'Arcy Baker and Betty Baker all enjoying a grand reunion!

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 250 : April 23, 1975

Centenary Year For Makaraka School