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The 5th anniversary of the Killinchy School
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TitleThe 5th anniversary of the Killinchy School
DescriptionIn early March 1876, the 5th anniversary of the school was celebrated after the school year started late because of improvements to the school, the result of a rapid increase in pupil numbers.
The Press reported that “Goodly numbers of residents assembled during the day, notwithstanding the cheerful, hum-hum of the harvest machine. The children assembled in force. Sports for them were set a going in Mr Davison's paddock…... Tea followed, Mr. Paddy, of Southbridge, being the caterer.
The adults next looked after their refreshments, which were by no manner of means the scholars' scraps.
Mr C.A. Fitzroy, chairman of the committee, having a full house before him, addressed the people and children, congratulating them upon the extension of the building….. He said he fervently hoped many good would follow, especially the sanitary one (Killinchy school had hitherto providentially escaped neighbouring epidemics.)
The chairman then presented prizes in accordance with Inspector Hammond's report, and that of committee members’ Christmas examination.
The McKee family was prominent in the prize giving.
Thereafter, cheers were given for the teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Murray followed by Mr. Fitzroy, the sub-committee, and the young lady assistants.
“Dancing was mildly indulged in for a while by a selected few, after which the meeting broke up.”
During the five intervening years, annual householders’ meetings were held in the school room and so many men wanted to be on the school committee that voting had to be conducted.
By the end of 1873, Headmaster Maddison had resigned and the committee advertised for a new master, assistant teacher and sewing mistress.
By February 1874 they were looking to appoint Mr. Murray and his wife to fill the three positions.
Mrs. Murray was appointed assistant mistress but was required to appear for an exam in June which she failed to do. In January 1875 the Inspector supported Mrs. Murray and she was allowed to continue.
The Chairman of the school committee wrote to the Board of Education requesting that the Board insist that she sit the examination, but the Board reserved its decision.
The Murrays taught at Killinchy until September 1877.
Another staff matter that gained newspaper space concerned a sewing teacher. In October 1872 an anonymous letter was sent to the Board of Education objecting to the appointment of a sewing mistress.
This letter was torn up.
A letter on the same subject was also read from Mrs. Atkinson.
The Board decided to defer any action in this matter until the election by the committee came before the Board for confirmation.
One week later readers of the Press which reported on the next Board of Education meeting were informed that “a letter was read from the chairman of the school committee, notifying the appointment of Mrs. Mason as sewing mistress, subject to the approval of the Board” but the Board “postponed the consideration of the appointment of Mrs. Mason until the next meeting”
Readers of the Lyttelton Times were however provided with additional information about the same meeting “Mr. Bowen (a member of the Board) said several persons had spoken to him to the effect that Mrs. Mason had only been elected by the casting vote of the chairman, who was her husband, and had expressed a hope that the Board would not sanction the appointment until after the election of the new committee”.
Mike Noonan & Sandra Opie
Ellesmere Historical Society
Date13 May 2021SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationKillinchy
DescriptionIn early March 1876, the 5th anniversary of the school was celebrated after the school year started late because of improvements to the school, the result of a rapid increase in pupil numbers. The Press reported that “Goodly numbers of residents assembled during the day, notwithstanding the cheerful, hum-hum of the harvest machine. The children assembled in force. Sports for them were set a going in Mr Davison's paddock…... Tea followed, Mr. Paddy, of Southbridge, being the caterer.
The adults next looked after their refreshments, which were by no manner of means the scholars' scraps.
Mr C.A. Fitzroy, chairman of the committee, having a full house before him, addressed the people and children, congratulating them upon the extension of the building….. He said he fervently hoped many good would follow, especially the sanitary one (Killinchy school had hitherto providentially escaped neighbouring epidemics.)
The chairman then presented prizes in accordance with Inspector Hammond's report, and that of committee members’ Christmas examination.
The McKee family was prominent in the prize giving.
Thereafter, cheers were given for the teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Murray followed by Mr. Fitzroy, the sub-committee, and the young lady assistants.
“Dancing was mildly indulged in for a while by a selected few, after which the meeting broke up.”
During the five intervening years, annual householders’ meetings were held in the school room and so many men wanted to be on the school committee that voting had to be conducted.
By the end of 1873, Headmaster Maddison had resigned and the committee advertised for a new master, assistant teacher and sewing mistress.
By February 1874 they were looking to appoint Mr. Murray and his wife to fill the three positions.
Mrs. Murray was appointed assistant mistress but was required to appear for an exam in June which she failed to do. In January 1875 the Inspector supported Mrs. Murray and she was allowed to continue.
The Chairman of the school committee wrote to the Board of Education requesting that the Board insist that she sit the examination, but the Board reserved its decision.
The Murrays taught at Killinchy until September 1877.
Another staff matter that gained newspaper space concerned a sewing teacher. In October 1872 an anonymous letter was sent to the Board of Education objecting to the appointment of a sewing mistress.
This letter was torn up.
A letter on the same subject was also read from Mrs. Atkinson.
The Board decided to defer any action in this matter until the election by the committee came before the Board for confirmation.
One week later readers of the Press which reported on the next Board of Education meeting were informed that “a letter was read from the chairman of the school committee, notifying the appointment of Mrs. Mason as sewing mistress, subject to the approval of the Board” but the Board “postponed the consideration of the appointment of Mrs. Mason until the next meeting”
Readers of the Lyttelton Times were however provided with additional information about the same meeting “Mr. Bowen (a member of the Board) said several persons had spoken to him to the effect that Mrs. Mason had only been elected by the casting vote of the chairman, who was her husband, and had expressed a hope that the Board would not sanction the appointment until after the election of the new committee”.
Mike Noonan & Sandra Opie
Ellesmere Historical Society
Date13 May 2021SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationKillinchyConnections
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The 5th anniversary of the Killinchy School (13 May 2021). Selwyn Stories, accessed 29/05/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5324