Clyde Quay School is a comprehensive state school in the suburb of Mount Victoria, Wellington, New Zealand. It serves students ranging in age from five to thirteen.[1] Approximately 240 children are enrolled as of April 2024.[1] The school shares its site with Pikopiko, a kindergarten which accommodates children aged 3 to 4.[1]
| Clyde Quay School Te Kura O Clyde Quay / Te Kura O Matairangi | |
|---|---|
 | |
 School logo, used since July 2011 (top) | |
| Location | |
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27 Elizabeth Street Mount Victoria Wellington , Wellington Region New Zealand | |
| Coordinates | 41°17′45″S 174°47′05″E / 41.29583°S 174.78472°E |
| Information | |
| School type | State school Full primary school |
| Founded | c. 1887 |
| Founder | Mr. W. T. Grundy |
| School board | Michelle Little (Chairperson) Sarah Todd Sue Bibby Rona Lemalu Chris Myatt Andrew Neal Neil Passey Cameron Ross (Staff Representative) |
| Ministry of Education Institution no. | 2827 |
| Principal | Liz Patara |
| Staff | 20 as of April 2024 |
| Teaching staff | 13 as of April 2024 |
| Years taught | Preschool to Year 8 |
| Age range | 5–13 |
| Average class size | 40 |
| Language | English and Māori |
| Hours in school day | 6 hours 30 minutes |
| Color(s) | Dark Brown |
| Fight song | Ko Matairangi (Haka) |
| Athletics | Yes |
| Sports | Football, Basketball, Table tennis, Netball, Swimming, Softball, Rugby, Miniball, Chess |
| Rival | Mount Cook School |
| Socio-economic decile | 10 |
| Website | https://clydequay.school.nz |
| Last updated: April 2024 | |
History edit
1800s – 1900s edit
The history of the school dates back to 1887, when the city was still in its early phases of development.[2] The school was designed by architect Thomas Turnbull in 1887, and in 1888 builders Thomson and Mclean constructed the first building on 38/2 Oriental Parade, Oriental Bay, at a cost of £ 2111,[3] equivalent to $NZ 300,000 as of December 2023[update]. Both main buildings were completed in March 1890.
1920s edit
In 1923, a new school was built at Elizabeth Street in Mount Victoria, and the infant department moved there.[3]
Headmaster William Foster was honoured with an OBE in the 1923 New Years Honours.
1930s edit
The school made the decision in 1935 to close permanently on 21 December because the site was required for the fire brigade to build a station. It was intended for a final assembly of all former students to take place at the school. A unique cake was created, shaped, and coloured to resemble the school's historic structures.[3] However, the school continued to function at the Elizabeth Street site.[4] The former school site in Oriental Bay now houses Wellington City Fire Station.[5]
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Clyde Quay School jubilee, December 1935 -
Clyde Quay School's "last" gathering, December 1935 -
Clyde Quay School in construction, December 1935
1980s edit
The Cure, an English rock band, is well known in the Mount Victoria suburb for playing their songs in the basement of Clyde Quay School.
"The jam was very noisy, but a lot of fun. The Neoterics played a few of their songs with The Cure's Lol Tolhurst on drums, then The Cure themselves did a few of theirs and sounded like a real garage band. We then did one of my band's songs with Robert on bass and Lol on drums, finally packing it in around 3am." a member of a band said.[6]
1990s edit
New Zealand artist Robert Stewart painted numerous murals throughout the school which are still in place today.[7]
Experts Masaaki Mitani and Masahiro Yamada from Japan performed a Kendo display at the school.[8]
2010s edit
In 2012, students from Clyde Quay School were interviewed in the school library by the New Zealand comedy group Flight of the Conchords for lyrical ideas for their song Feel Inside (And Stuff Like That).
2020s edit
The principal has indicated that a hall relocation will take place in late 2024.
Ben Buchanan, a New Zealand artist, is currently painting new school murals, which are supposed to represent Clyde Quay School and its past. These murals will be displayed on the school's outer wall, replacing the previous ones.
Today edit
The school's campus includes a library, a sports field, a hall, and recreational spaces.
Headmasters/Principals edit
| Name | Years served |
|---|---|
| W. T. Grundy | 1889-1917 |
| W. H. L. Foster | 1917-1924 |
| T. Irvine | 1925-1929 |
| M. J. O'Connor | 1929-1934 |
| J. J. Rodgers | 1934-1940 |
| F. Hayes | 1943-? |
| Liz Patara | c. 2000-present |
Notable former students edit
- Richard Campion (1923–2013), theatre director
- Brenda Heather-Latu (born 1961), Attorney-General of Samoa
- Rex Mason (1885–1975), politician
- Marjory Nicholls (1890–1930), poet and playwright
References edit
- ^ a b c "Our community". clydequay.school.nz. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ "Clyde Quay School". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. New Zealand Times. 24 September 1887. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ a b c "Old order changeth". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Evening Post. 4 December 1935. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ "News in Brief—Perpetuating a School Name". The Dominion. 23 December 1935.
- ^ "NEW CENTRAL FIRE STATlON". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ Stewart, Matt (4 August 2017). "Flashback: Fascination St - The Cure jam and party with Wellington's post-punks". Stuff. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ "Clyde Quay School Murals, Robert Stewart". Wellington City Libraries. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
- ^ "Kendo display at Clyde Quay School, Wellington". tiaki.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 10 February 2024.