On Monday the 27th August, Zak, Charlotte M, Sierra and Mackenzie went to visit Mr Bill Wilson at Melrose Village to do some Inquiry research.

We went to Melrose Village to ask Mr Bill Wilson some questions about what life was like when he was younger, and what it was like for him at school. He is 100 years old and we wanted to talk to him so that we could gather information for our Inquiry about the centennial year at Tauriko.

While we were there, we sat in their lounge in a circle, with Bill and a room full of about 15 people. They were all so interested in the questions we had to ask and they all helped to answer them, often contributing memories from when they were at school.

Everyone enjoyed having us and wanted us to come back again soon and visit. As we were leaving, the ladies at the back stopped us to tell us about some punishments they used to receive when they were at school. One woman said that she talked a lot in class and as a result, got the “ruler” on her hands - six times each hand!

One story that Bill shared with us was about a day when he skipped school because his mum asked if he could go and pick up some butter from the store. A dog had been chewing a bone on the grass and had left it there. Bill ran across the grass and stood on the dog’s bone. Some of the bone went into his foot. He had to stay home for two weeks from school. When his teacher asked where Young Mr Wilson was, a student answered “He has a bone in his foot,” and the teacher replied, “Don’t we all!”

We found it really interesting talking to Mr Wilson and the other residents at Melrose Village.

Read more about Mr Wilson here.