Background Info
The School District And Community
Ouruhia School was opened in 1914 as a sole charge school. In 2014 we celebrated Ouruhia School’s centennial as a school with 5 classrooms and a proud reputation; our school is often paid glowing compliments by visitors, relief teachers, College lecturers, outdoor education venues, and ERO.
In recent years the roll has grown as pupils have drawn from an area from Spencerville to Kainga and Belfast and beyond. Families now represent a diversity of occupational backgrounds, not just the traditional horticultural, orchard and farm-based occupations one would expect in this area.
The earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 affected our school catchment quite drastically with the red-zoning of Brooklands. As a result, the school roll has dropped a little, but we are still enrolling strong numbers of new entrants (average 12 per year since 2014) due to the popularity of our school.
Ouruhia School was opened in 1914 as a sole charge school. In 2014 we celebrated Ouruhia School’s centennial as a school with 5 classrooms and a proud reputation; our school is often paid glowing compliments by visitors, relief teachers, College lecturers, outdoor education venues, and ERO.
In recent years the roll has grown as pupils have drawn from an area from Spencerville to Kainga and Belfast and beyond. Families now represent a diversity of occupational backgrounds, not just the traditional horticultural, orchard and farm-based occupations one would expect in this area.
The earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 affected our school catchment quite drastically with the red-zoning of Brooklands. As a result, the school roll has dropped a little, but we are still enrolling strong numbers of new entrants (average 12 per year since 2014) due to the popularity of our school.
What Is A Model School?
Ouruhia became a 'Model' School in the 1950's. A “model country school” is one which trainee teachers (students) attend for a period of practical teaching experience under the guidance of experienced teaching staff. Trainees observe and assist the regular teacher and also take classes. Today the close association with the College of Education continues but the term "Model" has been dropped from our letterhead and all but official Ministry documents. This is because we feel the term is a little archaic and causes confusion.
Because of the good facilities, qualified teaching staff, pleasant grounds and closeness to town (ie Christchurch College of Education), Ouruhia is well suited for this role. Our multi-level classes provide students with teaching experiences similar to those they would meet in a rural school. Schools which have this close association with the College of Education are called "normal schools" (if they are urban) and "model schools" (if they are rural).
Ouruhia became a 'Model' School in the 1950's. A “model country school” is one which trainee teachers (students) attend for a period of practical teaching experience under the guidance of experienced teaching staff. Trainees observe and assist the regular teacher and also take classes. Today the close association with the College of Education continues but the term "Model" has been dropped from our letterhead and all but official Ministry documents. This is because we feel the term is a little archaic and causes confusion.
Because of the good facilities, qualified teaching staff, pleasant grounds and closeness to town (ie Christchurch College of Education), Ouruhia is well suited for this role. Our multi-level classes provide students with teaching experiences similar to those they would meet in a rural school. Schools which have this close association with the College of Education are called "normal schools" (if they are urban) and "model schools" (if they are rural).
School Facilities
Ouruhia is a 4 teacher school with children from Yr 0/1 - Yr 8. A new double classroom block was built in 2002 and a 5th classroom was established in 2008.
In 2010 a new administration block was built and the old administration block was converted to a library. The whole school has wireless connectivity, and a fibre connection to the internet managed by N4L (Ministry Of Education funded).
Ouruhia is a 4 teacher school with children from Yr 0/1 - Yr 8. A new double classroom block was built in 2002 and a 5th classroom was established in 2008.
In 2010 a new administration block was built and the old administration block was converted to a library. The whole school has wireless connectivity, and a fibre connection to the internet managed by N4L (Ministry Of Education funded).
Where does the name Ouruhia come from?
We have been learning about our school’s name, and the history and connection of the people who lived here many years ago. We have adopted this pepeha, which is used in introductions to establish identity and heritage.
Ko Maukatere te mauka
Ko Pūharakekenui te awa
Nō Urihia te whenua
Nō Tūāhuriri te takiwā
Ko Ōuruhia te kura
We are learning that Maukatere/Mt Grey is our mountain; Pūharakekenui/Styx is our river; the land was first settled by Urihia (sometimes called Uruhia), the son of the chief who founded Kaiapoi pā; we are in Ngai Tūāhuriri’s region; and our school is named Ouruhia.
We have been learning about our school’s name, and the history and connection of the people who lived here many years ago. We have adopted this pepeha, which is used in introductions to establish identity and heritage.
Ko Maukatere te mauka
Ko Pūharakekenui te awa
Nō Urihia te whenua
Nō Tūāhuriri te takiwā
Ko Ōuruhia te kura
We are learning that Maukatere/Mt Grey is our mountain; Pūharakekenui/Styx is our river; the land was first settled by Urihia (sometimes called Uruhia), the son of the chief who founded Kaiapoi pā; we are in Ngai Tūāhuriri’s region; and our school is named Ouruhia.