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Education has been described as the most useful kind of luggage to carry with you as it weighs nothing, takes up no room and costs nothing for excess. This was the message conveyed to Warkworth parents in 1921 urging them to support an initiative to convert a room at the Percy Street School into a secondary department. In spite of a mixed response, the school committee forged ahead and by January 1923 the required 20 names were registered and conditional approval to open a high school class followed soon after.
The first pupils were enrolled in April 1923 with Mr L. Brown as teacher. His place was taken by Miss Baxter mid-year and she was soon succeeded by Mr Carter, an ex soldier and all-round athlete.
From the beginning there was emphasis on examinations. Those who had a Proficiency Certificate were entitled to two free years and Intermediate Certificate gave a free place for two further years study. Matriculation and Public Service exams opened doors to employment or university.
Two early purchases were a sewing machine and a typewriter for those taking home-craft and commercial courses, and agriculture was an important option in a farming area. In 1924, eight boys travelled to Ruakura to participate in a week of training in agricultural subjects. The government met all expenses except the 10 shillings for board. Extensions to the buildings were planned in 1924 but the closure of the cement works and its possible effect on the school roll forced a re-think. Modified extensions including a science room and two classrooms were completed in 1925.
The Atmore report recommending small schools be consolidated led to the provision of free bus services bringing country children into Warkworth and the high school roll climbed to 50. The school launch still brought pupils up the Mahurangi River though a very low afternoon tide meant a short day for them. When electric power came to Warkworth in 1936 the school had one light and one power point installed. How inadequate that seems by modern standards!
Teaching children to swim was a priority and the school won praise for the number of certificates awarded each year. At first, the dam and tidal area below the town bridge were used. Some may remember the day when Mr Keys had to leap in fully clothed to rescue a girl in difficulties.
In 1937, plans were made to build a new modern District High School and a site was found on the Shoesmith land in Hill St. The delay of the project meant years of frustration coping with overcrowding and buildings in very poor condition. During the war, high school students were encouraged to support the patriotic effort especially by Miss Mathews who ran a Junior Red Cross group. In June 1941, a copper trail was arranged and the line of 1480 pennies and half-pennies stretching from the gate, across the playground, in the back door and along the corridor raised £6.3.4. The children also regularly contributed to food parcels sent to Warkworth School in England. This contact led to the Duke of Northumberland agreeing to the use of the Percy family crest on the school emblem.
Finally, the school moved to the new buildings in 1946 with the high school accommodated in the rear wing. Enduring friendships are made during schooldays and the Easter reunion, April 6 to 8, will provide an opportunity to meet former schoolmates, many of whom are coming from a distance to attend. Info: reunion@mahurangi.school.nz or P.O. Box 64 Woodcocks Rd Warkworth.
