In the early 1850's the first settlers came to Rangiora and, at Southbrook, just over a mile to the south of Rangiora, a settlement developed at an area known as Rangiora Bush - later to be called Southbrook after one on the three streams draining the swamps, Northbrook, Middlebrook and Southbrook. Southbrook used to have an abundance of flax. It was swampy land and wasn’t drained until 1861. It was first named Ohipu and then renamed to River Marsh and used for farming from 1961. This land was on the fork of Northbrook and Southbrook Streams. Today totara, flax, pukeko and tuna can be found in local reserves.

After the settlement of Canterbury in 1850 the Canterbury Provincial Council decided to levy sums of money to supplement the fees paid to church schools in whose hands lay the responsibility for education in the early days of settlement. It was not until the passing of the Education Act of 1877, in which education became free, compulsory and secular, that the school system as we now know it became established.

By 1878 the population of Southbrook was 353 and by the 1880's a small township had grown around the sawmills, flax mills and flour mills.

On February 24 1874, the Board approved of Mr James Withers' tender of 819 pounds, a figure which probably included the school residence. The school was opened on October 1 1874, with the holding of an old time tea meeting and concert to celebrate the event. The total roll for 1874 was 58.

The Grounds and Pool

The school playground was divided by a paling fence from behind the old school to the toilets - perhaps a copy of the divided Rangiora School playground - but certainly a reflection on the moral attitudes of boys and girls mixing in relatively unsupervised situations, and it was woe to the boy who wandered on the wrong side of that fence.

The school pool deserves special mention as it is the main continuing part of the school's history. The preliminary arrangements for the construction were made about the year 1890, by the School Committee, augmented by a number of other residents of Southbrook. An extract from a letter by Mr W Bean, Principal 1890 - 1899, gives us valuable information:

"During my time as Headmaster, we built the swimming pool and laid down the tennis court. This wasn't bad for a small school. The bath necessitated the raising of about 130 pounds cash, but it was done, and the bath was opened free of debt. An enormous amount of voluntary labour was done, the chief worker being a Mr J Wallace, a stonemason, who undertook to superintend the whole of the concrete work. He not only supervised, but worked himself for days on end, and made a thorough job of it. We had a lot of difficulty, as when the excavation was made, we found there were numerous springs to contend with and a lot of the concrete had to be laid in water; but in the end we overcame the difficulty. The bath was supplied with water by means of drains from the creek up by Seed's store. These acted very well unless there was too much rain, or the ducks got to work when, instead of water in the bath, we had something resembling pea soup. However, undaunted by this, we found swimming in the ‘liquid' quite an easy matter."

Mr E Williamson, Principal 1925 - 1931 writes:

"I don't remember any lawns though we had a few roses down the path. One day at morning recess the pupils and I were tidying up these flower beds when the bell went. We left the spades etc, in the garden expecting to continue at lunch time. Nemesis arrived in the person of Mr Moody, the Nature Study Specialist, accompanied by Mr Strong, then Director of Education. He reacted most violently and tore strips off Mr Moody and me saying that these teachers were disgracefully careless with tools. This was not so of course but he would not listen to reason. There were many old macrocarpa trees in the grounds. I, and some visitors, were standing on my verandah when a violet sou'-wester blew up and a whole row of trees went down along the school boundary.

In the corner of the grounds the school baths were situated and these were most popular in the summer. Many an hour I spent struggling with the motor and pump which were the only means of both filling and emptying. Voltage was very low to the motor which often would not start. Bluestone was used in the water for sterilisation and this turned yellow hair green."

The Principal in 1974, Mr Peter Dunmill, made the following comments about the school.

"It is important to realise that a school is not just buildings but people, and it is the children and parents of this school who have made the school what it is today. We, the teachers and parents, have felt pride in the performances of the children of this school on the sports fields, the local music festival, in the care and pride they show in their school, in the concern for others, behaviour in representing their school in various functions, and their academic achievements at High School.

Now, at Centennial time, this school and its achievements are a direct example of community involvement. 1974 ushers in the promise of a new era."

On the weekend of 8th, 9th and 10th of February 1974, extensive Centennial celebrations were held as the school marked its first 100 years. Events included a ball, a formal centennial ceremony, presentation of the school bell, photographs of the various decades represented, a banquet, and a church service.

As we have now passed our 125th Jubilee it's good to reflect on the long and proud history of our school. It's a history highlighted by the commitment and dedication of school committees, and more recently Boards of Trustees, parents, PTA, staff and pupils.