18th December 1872
Mr Andrew (Wellington Education Board member and owner of Ica Station) was requested to ascertain the cost of a schoolhouse, residence, and 10 to 20 acres land at Tinui with a view to the establishment of a weekly boarding and day school for the Castle Point district. Papers Past
The Building Committee elected in connection with the proposed school near Tenui, as I predicted would be the case as soon as the settlement of the matter was left in the hands of the settlers themselves, have not taken long to secure a piece of land.
The day after their appointment they agreed with Mr John Groves, sen., of Flag creek, for 10 acres at £5 per acre. This selection adjoins Mr Nicholls’ property, and is the most central and suitable spot procurable, being better adapted for the purpose than that offered by the Hon John Johnston, as it dispenses with the necessity for erecting a bridge, and this is always a consideration, as both the scarcity of timber and the impossibility of procuring it from Taueru, combine, under existing circumstances, to enforce an absolute prohibition.
Mr Hanson, C.E., has kindly consented to survey the ground, so that the preliminary steps for the erection of a school may now be said to have been initiated, but we have been so long accustomed to the procrastinating policy of the Education Board that we will not be surprised if the land in question is permitted for an indefinite period to continue to educate bullocks for their future position in life—the yoke or the shambles.
Wairarapa Standard, Volume 4, Issue 296, 15 June 1875, Page 2In September 1875 tenders called for building Tinui School.
Wairarapa Standard, Volume 4, Issue 333, 9 September 1875, Page 3It was resolved that the tender of Barry and McDowell, for £610, exclusive of the cost of carriage of material from Wellington to Castlepoint, for the erection of a school-house at Tinui be accepted. Papers Past.
A discussion at the Education Board, (says the Evening Argus), as to the price to be charged for boarders attending the Tenui School the Hon. C. J Pharazyn said that during his station life he kept himself and family of nine on £100 a year. The statement was readily believed. Mr Pharazyn would have been believed had he said he could keep a family of twelve on £50 a year. Papers Past.
The school at Tenui is now completed, and the contract for fencing in the school land is accepted, and will in a few weeks be finished. We may now look forward to a gradual improvement in the district, of which the school house is no mean ornament, and the settlers may be allowed to hope that the minds of the rising generation will also improve.
Wairarapa Standard, Volume 5, Issue 438, 13 June 1876, Page 2Mr. Andrew asked if the Inspector were prepared yet to recommend a teacher for the Tenui School. The Inspector replied in the negative.
Evening Post, Volume XIII, Issue 152, 29 June 1876, Page 2Another pleasing feature in our horizon is the appointment of a master and mistress to the school at Tenui, we hail this as the advent of a better state of things, The increase of juveniles will in a few years add considerably to the labors of a teacher, in the meantime the scattered population must endeavor to avail themselves of this opportunity at their disposal.
Wairarapa Standard, Volume 6, Issue 463, 12 August 1876, Page 2Opened Tenui School seven present 4 girls and 3 boys
Received my cheque. Sent Mr Graham (Wellington Education Board) particulars of money paid in.
Got first boarder T Groves (Weekly)
Wet Day some of the children absent
Received cheque.
Very wet 2 attended in forenoon, same number in afternoon
School reopened. 12 present.
John Stilborn came as a weekly boarder
New pupil Standard 6, Cripps
School closed in afternoon. Room let by committee to Mr Warder for sitting of court
(News report.) Mr Barry, formerly of St Mary's School at Wanganui, does not appear to be satisfied with his new appointment at Tenui, near Castle Point. According to the Inspector's report:--"It appeared that Mr Barry, the present master, had been induced to take the appointment in consequence of representations made by Mr Andrew (who was enthusiastic) to the effect that it was a full time school, and that some fifteen boarders might be calculated on.
'Matters turned out differently, however, and it seemed that Mr Barry sustained a loss by making the change of some £60 per annum, to say nothing of certain considerable expenses he was inevitably put to. Instead of fifteen boarders, one only had been obtained, and the attendance of day scholars was not so large as expected. It was agreed to let the matter stand over till Mr Andrew could be communicated with, and then the question as to whether Mr Barry should receive some compensation will be considered," Papers Past
Fine weather during the week all children present
Received salary and cheque for expenses from Wanganui.
Wrote to Mr G asking him to deduct £5.10 from my cheque, fees for October and £7 for quarter.
Flagpole erected by committee 3rd March. On making up my average for February I excluded 7 wet days.
Received cheque, school fees deducted
(News report) Mr. Whishaw wrote, stating that further expenditure was necessary on the schoolhouse at Tenui. The consideration of the question was postponed until the Rev. Mr. Andrew could report on the subject. Papers Past.
Fence between school paddock and Mr Nicholls broken down. Wrote to Mr Whishaw (School Committee).
School closed for half day was given by Committee for sitting of court.
Sent salary receipt to Mr G and asked Mr G to send my certificate. Wrote to Mr Lee ascent (Sic) examinations
Made Friday 25th holiday instead of 24th.
Closed for winter holidays.
Gave half-holiday at request of committee. Juvenile party at Mr Wishaw’s
Very wet, no attendance.
Forwarded return and cheque for school fees to Mr Graham
Snowing, very cold.
Posted receipt for salary and account for highway rates to Mr G (Graham)
Several boys absent mustering sheep.
New pupil H Stillborn
Some of the children went home, got wet through coming to school
Only 3 boys present
Many boys absent during the week--shearing time.
Many absent looked like rain in the morning.
Several boys absent haymaking
Only 6 present in the forenoon, school closed in afternoon, all the children gone to a birthday party.
Children attending very badly.
School reopened. Present 6 boys and 8 girls
New pupil George McLary (Secondary)
Frederick Groves (boarder) returned to school
Fence broken between school ground and Mr Nicholls Wrote to Mr Wishaw
Admitted Charles Rogers Ohanga (Aohanga?) as a pupil. (boarder)
It appears that new teacher has taken over. Charlotte Fanny Scale died 1940 Age 93.
New pupil Kate O’Donnell
The Tenui School under Mrs. Scales was in good working order, and the results reflected great credit upon both the late master and the present mistress. Papers Past.