Nelson Intermediate is turning 75 this year, and instead of simply looking back, the school is digging into its own past, dusting off old stories – and even recipes, along the way.
Deputy principal and STEAM team leader Sarah Johns is leading a year-long project that puts students in the role of historians, interviewers and storytellers.
“It’s not just one event, it’s a year-long inquiry,” she says.
The Tipahi St school’s beginnings stretch back to 1939, when the idea for the was first proposed. A report followed in 1940, land was bought in 1941, and after several years of planning, construction finally got underway in 1949. Two years later, students arrived.
On the first day, 29 January 1951, students arrived as early as 7.30am, catching workers mid-task on the tennis courts. By 8.30am, nearly 500 students had filled the grounds, “all shining impressively in their new uniforms”, according to researcher Frances E.M. Ellis-Emery.
Now, 75 years later, the focus is on bringing those early days, and everything since, back into view.
Students are collecting photos, reports and personal stories to build a picture of how the school has changed over time. They are planning interviews and podcasts with former staff and students and creating ‘then and now’ comparisons.
“I would really love for the kids to be able to interview some former staff and students, generate some questions, and get a picture of what school looked like,” Sarah says.
Among the more unexpected finds is an old school cookery book from 1952, compiled by the home and school association and school committee.
There are now plans for students to recreate some of the recipes – and pikelets are likely to be on the menu, although they’re not sure the recipes for shaving soap and ‘magic polisher’ from the miscellaneous section will be attempted.
Students will also lead tours for alumni, and a time capsule will be sealed later this year for future students to discover.
“In Term 4, the kids can write letters to themselves with predictions of what they think the future will be like,” Sarah says.
The school is now calling on its wider community to help fill in the gaps, whether through old photos or memories of school lunches, swimming sports and the dental nurse. Contributions can be sent to sjohns@nelsonintermediate.school.nz
