OUR HISTORY

The school was opened in June 1880, there being 20 admissions on the first day, 23 June. For the first 11 years it was a sole charge school, the first teacher being Mr James Closs (1880-1881), followed by Mr James Purvis (1881-1883), then Mr Abel Warburton (1884-1891). From 1892 there were two teachers: Mr John Matheson (head teacher) and infant mistress Miss Annabella Broome. On the first day, the pupils ranged in age from 5 to 13, with one 15 year old.

It wasn't until 1936 that a high school department was opened. As there was no classroom available, classes were initially held in the committee room at the hall (now the community centre), under the direction of the first high school teacher Mr Edward Farrant. A classroom was duly built to the north of the main building. It was stand-alone and comprised a classroom and a small laboratory. It served forms 3 to 5 (years 9 to 11). Full high school status was granted in 1939, the school then being renamed Strath Taieri District High School, which it remained until 1975 when the secondary department closed. 

In 1975 it became a Full Primary and since then the area’s secondary students have either travelled to the Taieri College in Mosgiel or have attended boarding school.

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The school has extensive grounds and the development of these is on-going for the Board of Trustees and the community. All classrooms on the school site are older but well maintained.

The Middlemarch Playgroup occupies a classroom in the school and is held one day a week. The playgroup is an extended part of our school community. ​