Last Wednesday found Waonui students transported to an 1880s school, as they got to experience some of the things that may have happened at Addington School in the first few years of our kura being opened.

Last Wednesday found Waonui students transported to an 1880s school, as they got to experience some of the things that may have happened at Addington School in the first few years of our kura being opened.

Strict teachers ensured top buttons were done up and socks pulled up. After singing ‘God Save the King’ in the hall children then experienced what rote learning was like by practicing their times tables.

Once we were back in the classrooms, the boys and girls had to sit on separate sides of the room with children sitting in rows at tables, and younger children in the front. There were many activities that we enjoyed like making butter, using chalk to practice our cursive writing and fabulous needlepoint. Students also enjoyed some of the older school yard games such as knucklebones, pick up sticks and marbles.

We have started making some great observations at how schools have changed over time and really noticed the differences between then and now. It would be great if you can have a discussion about what school was like when you were there and what things/technology/games have changed since you were there.