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Doyleston School
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TitleDoyleston School
DescriptionAt least one non-government school may have existed from mid-1860s but in August 1873 the residents asked the Board Of Education to proclaim Doyleston as an educational district.
Unfortunately, the Board also had an application from Irwell covering the greater part of the proposed district. Also, the boundary was too near Leeston.
In October the Board replied that if a district was sanctioned school must be further eastward than Hanmer Road.
At a meeting of the Leeston school committee in December 1873, the chairman argued the desirability of a school for the benefit of the younger children at or near Doyleston.
The meeting agreed that the matter wait until the boundaries of Irwell district were settled.
In June 1874, a letter from the Leeston school committee requested that the Board establish a branch school at Doyleston but the Board saw no reason to establish this side school.
A month later a deputation further pressed the Board stating that it would be only for children between the ages of five and eight and that the Public Hall at Doyleston may be rented.
In September the committee was empowered to advertise for an assistant mistress at £80 per annum.
Unfortunately, later, a subcommittee found that the hall was in an unsuitable state.
It was not until August 1875 that tenders were called for land as a site for the side school and Mr Alexander McLachlan’s land was chosen with the Board of Education agreeing after McLachlan had reduced his price.
Tenders were advertised in February 1876 and three tenders were received.
That of Mr. John Bennett was forwarded to the minister who approved the choice and sanctioned the expenditure of £185 10s with Mr. Bennett to also build a bridge.
An advertisement for a mistress at £80 per annum with a £20 lodging allowance was advertised in May 1876.
At first inspection in December 1876, it was remarked that “since the school had been operating for only one-quarter little could be expected beyond the children to work well in their respective classes”.
It appeared that the original intention of the older children going to the main school had not been strictly applied and so was determined that children above third standard attend the main school.
By April 1877, an additional mistress was required.
Around 1890, the householders were petitioning the Board for a fall primary school in its own right.
The board agreed and the side school ceased to exist from January 1891.
The peak roll for Doyleston School was 185 pupils in 1894 the school survived another 44 years until the local community agreed to consolidation with Leeston in 1938.
Material from Papers Past and Singleton (2007)
Mike Noonan
Ellesmere Historical Society
Date21 November 2019SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationDoyleston
DescriptionAt least one non-government school may have existed from mid-1860s but in August 1873 the residents asked the Board Of Education to proclaim Doyleston as an educational district. Unfortunately, the Board also had an application from Irwell covering the greater part of the proposed district. Also, the boundary was too near Leeston.
In October the Board replied that if a district was sanctioned school must be further eastward than Hanmer Road.
At a meeting of the Leeston school committee in December 1873, the chairman argued the desirability of a school for the benefit of the younger children at or near Doyleston.
The meeting agreed that the matter wait until the boundaries of Irwell district were settled.
In June 1874, a letter from the Leeston school committee requested that the Board establish a branch school at Doyleston but the Board saw no reason to establish this side school.
A month later a deputation further pressed the Board stating that it would be only for children between the ages of five and eight and that the Public Hall at Doyleston may be rented.
In September the committee was empowered to advertise for an assistant mistress at £80 per annum.
Unfortunately, later, a subcommittee found that the hall was in an unsuitable state.
It was not until August 1875 that tenders were called for land as a site for the side school and Mr Alexander McLachlan’s land was chosen with the Board of Education agreeing after McLachlan had reduced his price.
Tenders were advertised in February 1876 and three tenders were received.
That of Mr. John Bennett was forwarded to the minister who approved the choice and sanctioned the expenditure of £185 10s with Mr. Bennett to also build a bridge.
An advertisement for a mistress at £80 per annum with a £20 lodging allowance was advertised in May 1876.
At first inspection in December 1876, it was remarked that “since the school had been operating for only one-quarter little could be expected beyond the children to work well in their respective classes”.
It appeared that the original intention of the older children going to the main school had not been strictly applied and so was determined that children above third standard attend the main school.
By April 1877, an additional mistress was required.
Around 1890, the householders were petitioning the Board for a fall primary school in its own right.
The board agreed and the side school ceased to exist from January 1891.
The peak roll for Doyleston School was 185 pupils in 1894 the school survived another 44 years until the local community agreed to consolidation with Leeston in 1938.
Material from Papers Past and Singleton (2007)
Mike Noonan
Ellesmere Historical Society
Date21 November 2019SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationDoylestonClick on the image to add
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Doyleston School (21 November 2019). Selwyn Stories, accessed 09/05/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5286