Tamahere school students learned firsthand what it was like for their counterparts 140 years ago when they celebrated the school’s birthday earlier this month.
The school, now known as Tamahere Model Country School, had a roll of 394 in July last year.
Tori Anderson, Eloise Chin, Molly Beetz, Freddie Moody, Iziah Jones, Rhyn Koekemoer, Ishaan Varma, Sam Foley in front of a 1920s Packard car.
It opened on May 12, 1884.
Principal Waveney Parker said following a huge effort from parents and caregivers, staff and adults dressed in a century old theme.
Meike and Jacob Nagel arrive in their buggy drawn by Duke, their very patient Clydesdale, watched by principal Waveney Parker in front of a 1912 Model T.
“Our special day followed learning about what life was like 140 years ago.
“Our learning came to life in a very special community day,” she said.
Students proudly sang songs from the era and shared their learnings of how children played, danced, skipped and learnt in 1884.
Cecilia Henry, Emily McKenzie, Greta Corkill, Zara Ginty, Ava Thomas, Emily Sinclair, Chilli Murdie, Ryder Sluys.
One child was heard to say: “It was really hard to skip in a long dress!”
Meike, Charlotte and Jacob Nagel came to school in their buggy drawn by Duke, their very patient Clydesdale.
“We also enjoyed the rather modern, 1912 Model T, and the very precious 1920s Packard that was kindly shared with us by Theo de Leeuw.”
The day ended with a family picnic with rugs and no plastic, which Parker said was quite hard to achieve 140 years on.
Oskar Newth, Ralph Wildman, Lincoln Steele, Jake Price, Lewis McChesney, Oliver Lala, Cecilia Henry, Emily McKenzie, Mikaere Kaa-Cooper.
