Background Information

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The School District And Community

Ōuruhia Model School was opened in 1914 as a sole charge school. In 2014 was the celebration of Ōuruhia Model School Centennial. Our school is often paid glowing compliments by visitors, relief teachers, College lecturers, outdoor education venues, and ERO. Families 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 re-zoning of Brooklands. As a result, the school roll has dropped. We are looking forward to the enrolments to come.

What is a Model School?

Ōuruhia 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. Recently we have had students from the University of Canterbury, Te Rito Maioha and overseas. Our good facilities, qualified teaching staff, pleasant grounds and closeness to town, Ōuruhai Model School 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 University of Canterbury are called 'normal schools' (if they are urban) and 'model schools' (if they are rural).

School Facilities

Ōuruhia Model School has space for students from Yr 0 - Yr 8. Classrooms are arranged to allow students the opportunity to make decisions about the preferred way they wish to learn.

Where does the name Ōuruhia 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.

The current classroom names reflect the local waterways: Pūharakekenui (Styx), Te Riu o Te Aika Kawa (Brooklands) and Waimakariri. The name for a future classroom is Kā Putahi (Kaputone creek). 

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. During the 1879 Smith-Nairn Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Ngāi Tahu land claims, Taare Wi Teihoka and others from Ngāi Tūāhuriri recorded Ōuruhia as a kāinga mahinga kai where the wide range if foods gathered included tuna (eel), paraki (smelt), wahaoroa (horse mussel), inanga (whitebait), mata (juvenile whitebait), pātiki (flounder), aua yellow-eyed mullet), panako, Kōkopu (native trout), pipiki (fish), pūtakitaki (paradise duck), pārera (grey duck), raipo (New Zealand scallop), tataa brown teal), totokipio (New Zealand dabchick), tutu, poro ("Māori turnip"), aruhe (bracken fernroot) and kōrari (the flower stalk of harakeke).

References:

• Taylor, W.A. (1952) Lore and history of the South Island Māori. Christchruch, N.Z: Bascands, P30
• Teihoka, Taare Wi (1880) Cited in Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (1989) Ngai Tahu 1880. H.K. Taiaroa. (Unpublished typescript. [English translation of two original notebooks in Te Reo Maori of place names related to mahinga kai compiled by H.K. Taiaroa in 1880 from information provided by Ngai Tahu informants]. Ngai Tahu Archive. Collection 140, Item D301, Box 102, D. Wai-27. Wai-27 Doc - R30- Book "Ngai Tahu 188-." Macmillan Brown Library Archives Collection. P37:29
• Tau, R.T.M [2006] Submission on Ouruhia - Ka Putahi (Kaputone) by Rawiri Te Maire Ltd. [Report prepared for Christchurch City Council to inform development of the Belfast Area Plan]
• Taylor, W.A. cited in Beattie, J.H. 91945) Maori place names of Canterbury: including one thousand hitherto unpublished names collected from Maori sources, Dunedin, N.Z: Printed by the Otago Daily Times and Witness Newspapers. P104
• Beatie, J.H. (1945) Maori place names of Canterbury: including one thousand hiterto unpublished names collected from Maori sources. Dunedin, N.Z: Printed by the Otago Daily Times and Witness Newspapers. P101.