Victoria Valley School, est. 1879
The history of education in Victoria Valley began with a meeting at the local residence of William F Thompson on the 26th of January 1879. The meeting was called to elect a committee who were interested in seeking approval from the Education Department to have a school built in the district.
Government approval was duly granted, and with what can only be described as a culture of 'getting things done', the local families swiftly constructed and officially opened, Victoria Valley School in January 1880. The school was built on the site that is recognised today as Victoria Valley Memorial Hall. At the time of its opening, James Paton was the schoolmaster and there were a total of twenty students enrolled.
By 1912 the roll had grown to over 90 pupils and the school had developed a strong sporting culture, with lunch times often spent playing cricket or rugby in Thompson's paddock. The school eventually relocated further down Victoria Valley Road, to the site where Mangataiore Marae is currently being constructed.
Victoria Valley School went on to develop a strong academic culture, supplying the dux of Kaitaia College 5 times in the 1950's. The School stayed open until 1973 with the doors eventually being closed by the oldest ex-pupil present, Eddie White. When the school closed, Fred Panther is quoted as saying "There is sadness in saying farewell to something that has left its imprint in our hearts, and pride in the fact that we once belonged to a damn good school."
It is on the original school site that Victoria Valley Secondary School will stand, representing a new education chapter for Victoria Valley, built on the foundations of a very proud history.
If you are interested in viewing the full list of Victoria Valley School Admissions from 1880 - 1973, click on the button below.
Victoria Valley School, 1910
Victoria Valley School, 1906
Victoria Valley School, 1973
Victoria Valley School, 1954
This text and supporting photos have been taken from Olwyn Ramsey's beautiful book, "In the Shadow of Maungataniwha - A history of Victoria Valley, Mangatoetoe and Te Puhi districts".
Information has also been obtained from the Victoria Valley School Meeting Minutes held in the Te Ahu Archives in Kaitaia.