New Zealand - Whanganui - New Zealand Friends School - 1946 - Photo courtesy of Les Howe New Zealand Friends School - Friends schools are institutions that provide an education based on the beliefs and testimonies of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) - The Friends School was opened on 23 February 1920 - The idea was first mooted by John Holdsworth in 1913. In 1914 a committee was apppointed to seek a site, but recommended that the decision should be deferred until after the War - Over the following years the school won a good reputation and the number of pupils (both Quaker and others) increased - However during the lates sixties there was a serious drop in the number of children enrolled. By 1968 the financial position of the school was critical, and it was decided at the Yearly Meeting that the school should be closed at the end of 1969