New Zealand - Dunedin - Fairfield School Pupils - 1906 Walton School - The first school in the suburb was established in February 1872 with the name Walton School. - A group of respected community people, headed by James Loudon, William Martin J.P., and James Howorth Junior, succeeded in opening the school after the number of children in the area warranted an Education Board School. - The school was initially located in the Walton Mission House in Green Island before being moved to a two roomed wooden building situated on Main South Road where the Fairfield store is now. - John Blair was appointed as the first teaching principal and began with a roll of 27 girls and 30 boys. Numbers in the district continued to grew rapidly. So much so that Mr Blair had an incredible 72 boys and 59 girls by 1874. It wasn't until 1876 that an assistant, Miss Ellen Jane Horne, was appointed. Fairfield School - On January 1st 1951, fire destroyed Walton School. Children in the district continued their education in the school house over the next two years where somehow up to 130 pupils gathered together to learn with Mr. Donald Buchan as Acting Headmaster. Standing room was said to be at a premium in some rooms and officials acknowledged the competence of the teachers in such cramped and stressful conditions. - The Education Board purchased nearly 5 acres of land at the current site of Fairfield School at the end of Sickels Street. This school was opened on the 17th March, 1953 and the Headmaster was Mr. E. D. Farrant. - The school opened with 'an ample open playing area and a well-surfaced tennis court used for netball and physical education. Football and cricket areas also provide space for other games and athletic sports'. Reference: http://www.fairfield.school.nz/about/history/ ---------------------- Image source: DCC Archives, Taieri County Council Photograph Series. Photographer: AW Bathgate https://www.flickr.com/photos/95014006@N04/14828460581