Sad day as rural school closes doors
April 18th, 2008, 7:51 pm Hobbies News
After years of hard work to maintain the roll and fundraise, the small country school to the east of Gore, was forced to succumb.
While the school would not officially close until July 21, yesterday was the last day for its eight pupils who head to Gore next term to continue their education.
About 80 people turned out to farewell the children and mark the end of an era.
The sadness among the tightknit group of pupils was obvious as all of them spoke about what the school meant to them.
%26quot;I will never forget Kaiwera school%26quot; and %26quot;I will miss all my friends%26quot; were often repeated by the children.
Board of trustees chairman Andrew Tripp said the decision to close the school had not been an easy one.
The board had desperately tried to attract families to the district but could not raise the numbers and was forced to make the decision that was in the best interests of the children.
%26quot;For all of us there is a tinge of sadness associated with the closure of the school.%26quot; Mr Tripp acknowledged the many former pupils who have excelled in their chosen careers and the depth of history represented by the 130 years of education.
%26quot;The school has been the focus for the community in terms of drawing it (the community) together.%26quot; He was sure the children would excel and achieve at their new schools.
Four would be attending Gore Main School and four would go to St Marys, Mr Tripp said.
National Party deputy leader Bill English said he could understand how difficult the decision to close had been for the board of trustees and parents.
He could also sympathise with the schools only male pupil %26mdash; %26quot;it feels a bit like that in Parliament these days%26quot;, he joked.
Children who went to a rural school were very lucky, Mr English said.
%26quot;Rural children get an education as closely tailored to their individual needs as parents could want,%26quot; he said.
Principal Gail Mullon said it had been a privilege to teach at Kaiwera.
She reminded her young charges that it was important to make the right choices at the right time and to set themselves goals.
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