Photographs of Thames - FREE!
Take a break from the chaos of Level Two Covid-19 breakout, and check out some photographs in the National Library Collection "free to download" section. Narrow the search to Thames, scroll past the ones for England, and you will interesting images for Thames (and surrounding areas), especially aerials taken by Whites Aviation.
Being somewhat biased towards Thames South School! I chose this one below taken in 1958 for us to look at today.
ABOVE Caption: Thames, Waikato Region. Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs. Ref: WA-46330. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/32054638 Taken 19 May 1958
Part of Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs / Whites Aviation Ltd :Photographs
BELOW: An aerial thanks to Google maps - note that while street views are recent this view is a few years old!
The top third of the photograph shows the area of Mackay Street, Jellicoe Crescent and on the right Grey Street.
The infant block was commonly known as the Kindergarten in the early years. When the Kindergarten Block opened in 1915, the reality of World War One was dawning on the town as their men left for service and news was regularly received of injuries and war related deaths. In October 1915, the South School children made 36 Xmas ‘billies’ for the soldiers overseas. “Each [billie] containing a Xmas pudding, pipe, tobacco, cigarettes, ointment, tooth brush and paste, face towel and wash, handkerchiefs, soap, etc.”
The school was initially known as Parawai School, until unofficially taking the title South School in late 1914, and the name ‘South School’ was made official 6th March 1915. Why the change? Several schools had been closed, and the remaining three primary schools in the town were then known as South, Central (old Waiokaraka), and North (old Tararu) School.
The following year the Thames Star 22nd April 1916, wrote that all the South School pupils gathered in the infant department, where Headmaster Wernham addressed the school on the subject of Anzac Day. “The Empire’s motto was the motto of the school: ‘Keep Honour Bright’. And that is why the nation is fighting today.” The school motto remains unchanged to this day.
In November 1916, the South School held their annual rose carnival. A physical drill exhibition was given, it was explained that this was to strengthen the muscles and impart gracefulness to the frame.Queen of the Carnival and Maids were crowned – needless to say Queen Carnivals were popular events at Thames for decades. Queen of the Roses was Miss Olga Jenkin (infant school), and maids of honour included the Queen of the Allies Miss Rachael Kerby (middle school).
Money raised at the carnival was to go towards a 25 foot ‘sand tray’ on which the names of the school’s heroes would be inscribed. “It was to be called the Gemming Memorial, in honour of a former scholar and teacher, who was killed at Gallipoli. In 1921 the school erected a World War One Memorial (and drinking fountain); this has moved several times, and is now located near the school’s entrance.
South School over the decades has often introduced new methods of teaching. In the Thames Star 14th November 1917, there was a full description of the system being used in the Thames South Infant School. Miss Ashman and her assistants were using teaching methods based on the Montessori system. Examples were shown how the alphabet was taught in a way that was play. The infants’ day had started with “simple athletic exercises in the playground, marching and simple songs with gesture movements.” The observer noted how bright and alert the children were, and that all teachers should be congratulated.
The South School held their sports day at the Parawai Racecourse 13th December 1920, a large number of children and parents were present. The Boys 7-8 years ran 75 yards and winning order was: Kerby, Battson, and Cleave. The girls in this age group ran 50 yards and finished D Causley, J Milne, and P Brown. There were longer races, relays and bike races – along with fun events such as sack, three-legged, and egg and spoon races. Something for everyone, even the parents were not left out. The married woman’s race of 75 yards was won by Mrs Strong.
The land the school occupied was only leased. In 1921 the 21 year lease was due to expire, after negotiations with landowner Mr E H Taipari, the sale was agreed to for a cost of £2000. Around this time the wooden classroom block was extended (teachers room and headmaster’s office). Then in 1925 a new classroom and cloakrooms were added to meet growing roll numbers.
The highlight of Parents’ Day 30th October 1934 was the opportunity to see the new wireless equipment in action. “The set is housed in the headmaster’s room, and from it speakers in other rooms are controlled.” The school was able to listen to the educational sessions on 1YA, including music lessons and singing. There were children’s displays in all the rooms, Headmaster Mr R G Crawshaw thanked the over 100 parents for coming along.
In the 1940s, while the war raged in Europe and the Pacific, measures were implemented in Thames to potentially protect the town and residents. This included ‘Air Raid’ drills that became a regular occurrence at all the Thames schools including Thames South.
In 1943, an acre section was purchased from Mr E H Taipari for extra playground space. This was still inadequate, which led to the purchase of the old road (Alfred Street) that had gone along the school’s western boundary. The Borough sold the land to the school for £100 in 1944, it was remodelled and thereby provided valuable playground space.
These pages have barely touched on teaching staff due to lack of space, but like most there were many favourites at the school. One such name was Miss J Liddell (Infant Mistress) who left the school in 1958. Thankfully these names and memories are recorded in the reunion booklets.
Like many schools in New Zealand, the South School reverted to prefabs for classrooms as space was necessary and building funds were limited. There were several of these scattered around the school in the 1960s onwards. This led to the final approval in May 1962 to construct four new classrooms at the school, which were built by Lee Bros of Paeroa.
More recent decades have seen many changes to the school campus, as improvements are made. Not forgetting major upgrades made to the playground areas – including climbing frames built and rebuilt to meet new standards. The school grounds are impressive and innovative.
An important part of the South’s more recent history concerns Te Reo in the school – which was outlined in the book Thames South School Reunion October 2001. The two key tribal groups of Ngati Maru and Ngati Whananga had supported the very first Parawai School, then the resiting of the school to the present location. In 1991 Te Tonga o Hoterini Kohanga Reo were granted land to the west of the school to establish the Kohanga Reo. Around this time Te Reo programmes were introduced at the school. Then in the 1990s the call for and implementation of total immersion became a reality. Hand-in-hand, the teachers in the mainstream classes enhanced their skills in Te Reo, so that they could implement changes throughout the school. In 2001 the roll was 300, with 50% of Maori descent – over half were attending bi-lingual or total immersion classes. These values have continued to be nurtured and grow at the Thames South School.
Major school reunions were held in 1967, 2001, and 2015 – booklets published for each. With the next planned for 2025 – which will celebrate the 150th year of the South aka Parawai School. Thames South School’s website has this message that sums up the school and their continued vision: “the Oaks standing tall in our entrance way are the whole basis for our whakatauki – kia tupu ai enei kakano hei rakau nui. May these tender seedlings grow into mighty trees.
BELOW: An aerial thanks to Google maps - note that while street views are recent this view is a few years old!
The photograph in parts.
Did you spot any differences over seventy years? Take a look below for some hints (if needed)!
The top third of the photograph shows the area of Mackay Street, Jellicoe Crescent and on the right Grey Street.
The large grassed area where the Thames Swimming Pool Complex is located today on Taipari Park - an old urupa area.
Any ex-South School pupil will immediately spot the "puddle" aka the swimming baths (bottom centre), where many of us learnt to swim and as primers thought it was so large and deep!
The snip above focuses on the Thames South School buildings and playing fields.
- The top of the photograph is the old section of Alfred Street that went across the school grounds.
- The large playing field was host to many a game of rounders, football, softball, running events and much more.
- Tennis and basketball courts, which also doubled as places for 'four square'.
- In the centre section are the school buildings. Four prefabs (white roofs), equipment sheds and shelters. The 'murder house' aka the dental clinic at the Rolleston entrance. The concrete/brick Infant block on the right, and the old school buildings on the left (previously the Kauaeranga Girls' School that was moved from Sandes Street). full photo below
- Small oak trees by the dental clinic by the Rolleston Street entrance.
Note that the old Kauaeranga School building was reconfigured several times. Below is the 1920s version of South School, looking from Rolleston Street.
Background on South School (snippets taken from Thames Goldfield Schools.)
The infant block was commonly known as the Kindergarten in the early years. When the Kindergarten Block opened in 1915, the reality of World War One was dawning on the town as their men left for service and news was regularly received of injuries and war related deaths. In October 1915, the South School children made 36 Xmas ‘billies’ for the soldiers overseas. “Each [billie] containing a Xmas pudding, pipe, tobacco, cigarettes, ointment, tooth brush and paste, face towel and wash, handkerchiefs, soap, etc.”
The school was initially known as Parawai School, until unofficially taking the title South School in late 1914, and the name ‘South School’ was made official 6th March 1915. Why the change? Several schools had been closed, and the remaining three primary schools in the town were then known as South, Central (old Waiokaraka), and North (old Tararu) School.
The following year the Thames Star 22nd April 1916, wrote that all the South School pupils gathered in the infant department, where Headmaster Wernham addressed the school on the subject of Anzac Day. “The Empire’s motto was the motto of the school: ‘Keep Honour Bright’. And that is why the nation is fighting today.” The school motto remains unchanged to this day.
In November 1916, the South School held their annual rose carnival. A physical drill exhibition was given, it was explained that this was to strengthen the muscles and impart gracefulness to the frame.Queen of the Carnival and Maids were crowned – needless to say Queen Carnivals were popular events at Thames for decades. Queen of the Roses was Miss Olga Jenkin (infant school), and maids of honour included the Queen of the Allies Miss Rachael Kerby (middle school).
Money raised at the carnival was to go towards a 25 foot ‘sand tray’ on which the names of the school’s heroes would be inscribed. “It was to be called the Gemming Memorial, in honour of a former scholar and teacher, who was killed at Gallipoli. In 1921 the school erected a World War One Memorial (and drinking fountain); this has moved several times, and is now located near the school’s entrance.
South School over the decades has often introduced new methods of teaching. In the Thames Star 14th November 1917, there was a full description of the system being used in the Thames South Infant School. Miss Ashman and her assistants were using teaching methods based on the Montessori system. Examples were shown how the alphabet was taught in a way that was play. The infants’ day had started with “simple athletic exercises in the playground, marching and simple songs with gesture movements.” The observer noted how bright and alert the children were, and that all teachers should be congratulated.
The South School held their sports day at the Parawai Racecourse 13th December 1920, a large number of children and parents were present. The Boys 7-8 years ran 75 yards and winning order was: Kerby, Battson, and Cleave. The girls in this age group ran 50 yards and finished D Causley, J Milne, and P Brown. There were longer races, relays and bike races – along with fun events such as sack, three-legged, and egg and spoon races. Something for everyone, even the parents were not left out. The married woman’s race of 75 yards was won by Mrs Strong.
The land the school occupied was only leased. In 1921 the 21 year lease was due to expire, after negotiations with landowner Mr E H Taipari, the sale was agreed to for a cost of £2000. Around this time the wooden classroom block was extended (teachers room and headmaster’s office). Then in 1925 a new classroom and cloakrooms were added to meet growing roll numbers.
The highlight of Parents’ Day 30th October 1934 was the opportunity to see the new wireless equipment in action. “The set is housed in the headmaster’s room, and from it speakers in other rooms are controlled.” The school was able to listen to the educational sessions on 1YA, including music lessons and singing. There were children’s displays in all the rooms, Headmaster Mr R G Crawshaw thanked the over 100 parents for coming along.
In the 1940s, while the war raged in Europe and the Pacific, measures were implemented in Thames to potentially protect the town and residents. This included ‘Air Raid’ drills that became a regular occurrence at all the Thames schools including Thames South.
In 1943, an acre section was purchased from Mr E H Taipari for extra playground space. This was still inadequate, which led to the purchase of the old road (Alfred Street) that had gone along the school’s western boundary. The Borough sold the land to the school for £100 in 1944, it was remodelled and thereby provided valuable playground space.
These pages have barely touched on teaching staff due to lack of space, but like most there were many favourites at the school. One such name was Miss J Liddell (Infant Mistress) who left the school in 1958. Thankfully these names and memories are recorded in the reunion booklets.
Like many schools in New Zealand, the South School reverted to prefabs for classrooms as space was necessary and building funds were limited. There were several of these scattered around the school in the 1960s onwards. This led to the final approval in May 1962 to construct four new classrooms at the school, which were built by Lee Bros of Paeroa.
More recent decades have seen many changes to the school campus, as improvements are made. Not forgetting major upgrades made to the playground areas – including climbing frames built and rebuilt to meet new standards. The school grounds are impressive and innovative.
An important part of the South’s more recent history concerns Te Reo in the school – which was outlined in the book Thames South School Reunion October 2001. The two key tribal groups of Ngati Maru and Ngati Whananga had supported the very first Parawai School, then the resiting of the school to the present location. In 1991 Te Tonga o Hoterini Kohanga Reo were granted land to the west of the school to establish the Kohanga Reo. Around this time Te Reo programmes were introduced at the school. Then in the 1990s the call for and implementation of total immersion became a reality. Hand-in-hand, the teachers in the mainstream classes enhanced their skills in Te Reo, so that they could implement changes throughout the school. In 2001 the roll was 300, with 50% of Maori descent – over half were attending bi-lingual or total immersion classes. These values have continued to be nurtured and grow at the Thames South School.
Major school reunions were held in 1967, 2001, and 2015 – booklets published for each. With the next planned for 2025 – which will celebrate the 150th year of the South aka Parawai School. Thames South School’s website has this message that sums up the school and their continued vision: “the Oaks standing tall in our entrance way are the whole basis for our whakatauki – kia tupu ai enei kakano hei rakau nui. May these tender seedlings grow into mighty trees.
Previous blog posts on Thames South School:
Then and now (2017)
Teachers 1967
Old Friends school site
