Waipu District High School

Waipu District High School 1939 - 1971
Headmaster:
Mr S.B. Dunn 1940- 1942
Mr C. Adams 1942-1945
Mr R. Inglis 1945-1949
Mr A. McKenzie 1949-1952
Mr A.Baildon 1953-1957
Mr Laird 1958-1959
Mr N Smith 1960
Mr S. McNichol 1961-1964
Mr G. Berquist 1965-1968
Mr L.Baxter 1969-1971

The Waipu District High School badge incorporates the thistle and lion, which represent the Scottish-Nova Scotian origins of the Waipu settlers, and the smallest ship ‘Spray’ represented the migration to Waipu. The motto ‘Saorsa’ is Gaelic for freedom.
The McFarlane tartan was chosen for the school tie. There were several reasons for the decision. The Rev McFarlane was the minister for the Presbyterian Church in Waipu at that time, and he was a strong supporter of the consolidation of the schools. Also, as none of the Waipu settlers were of McFarlane descent, no claims of favouritism could be made.

The students were divided into four houses for sporting competitions. The names of Sutherland, Argyll, Ross, and Inverness were chosen, representing four shires in the Scottish Highlands from which many of the settlers had originated.

Sunshine Block

Waipu District High School originally had two main buildings. The ‘sunshine’ block, which had four classrooms, two cloakrooms and a headmaster’s office, served as the primary school. The old primary school of two classrooms, with an additional science laboratory, served as the secondary school. There was also a dental clinic and bus garage.

In 1940, the old three-sided bus shelter from the Cove School was relocated to beside the bus garage. When a similar structure was added, it produced a low roofed shed that became the woodwork room, later to be known by students as the ‘dog box’.

In 1946, the old Cove School building was shifted to the St Mary’s Rd site, and became the Homecraft Centre for the girls.
A continual shortage of classroom space led to the Education Board building a two classroom Primer Block in 1950. Continued roll growth resulted in the School Committee requesting the Education Board to buy more land for additional buildings and playground. In 1954, the Board purchased land in Argyle Street, and a new secondary block was built. This block was opened in 1956 by the Hon R.M. Algie. In late 1954, a new swimming pool was opened on the school grounds. Until then, swimming lessons were held in the Waihoihoi River. For junior students, an 11 metre by 5 metre wooden pen, known as the ‘pig pen’, was built and lowered into the river to provide a safe swimming area.

KEY:
1. Stile on the boundary to provide access to the Waihoihoi River and the ‘pig pen’
2. Five oak trees, representing the five consolidating schools. One was later cut down to make way for Saorsa Village
3. Dental clinic
4. Two kauri trees planted when the District High School was officially opened in 1940
5. ‘Cuppy’ McLean’s house
6. New secondary block
7. Land purchased in 1963, presumably for an extended school
8. Bus garage
9. Sunshine Block
10. Classrooms – old secondary block
11. Primer block
12. ‘Dog Box’ – original Technical workshop made up of two old bus shelters joined together.
13. Homecraft Room (old Cove School)
14. Technical Training block
15. Caretaker’s shed
16. Swimming baths – opened in 1954