Reefton D.H.S

Whites Aviation  1951

The Reefton District High School was officially constituted in 1902.

Before this formal designation, the institution operated as the Reefton Public School.

Key historical milestones of the site include:

1869: The earliest part of the school building was erected.

1878: The first state school in Reefton was founded.

1887: A dedicated room for senior pupils was added to accommodate a secondary course.

1902: The school was formally reorganised and named the Reefton District High School.

The school later evolved into Inangahua College (1970)

Growth and Facilities (1902–1965)

Early Capacity: By 1905, the school had grown to include five large classrooms. The student roll at the time was approximately 300 children, with an average daily attendance of 250.

Staffing in the 1900s: The original high school staff included a headmaster, an assistant master dedicated to the secondary course, an infant mistress, two assistant mistresses, and a pupil teacher.

Expansion Challenges: As the town grew, the original site became too small. Secondary students were taught in various halls around Reefton until a dedicated secondary block was built on Victory Street in the 1940s.

School Hall: One of the original buildings on the corner of Buller Road and Lucas Street served as the school hall for decades until a modern hall was completed in 1965.

Academic and Social Life

Curriculum: To maintain its "High School" status in the early 20th century, pupils were required to take English and arithmetic, plus at least three electives such as Latin, French, chemistry, or bookkeeping.

Notable Staff: Long-serving educators included Janet ('Gyp') Archer, who taught secondary pupils for three generations, and Mrs Ena Patterson, the long-time infant mistress. Fred Barltrop served as the final headmaster of the District High School before its 1965 transition.

The Final Transition

1965: The secondary department "translated" into a separate entity, though it remained closely linked to the primary school infrastructure during the transition period.

1970: The school officially became Inangahua College, a Form 1–7 (Year 7–13) institution.

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School Memories

Scrapbook

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Sport Photographs

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