Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Historical/Social: The former Waddington School, Canterbury, is of local historical significance for its community links and near 120 year long association with education.

Physical Significance

This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Archaeological: The building is over 120 years old and therefore its site is of archaeological interest. Architectural: The former Waddington School (1875) has certain architectural characteristics in common with the Queen Anne style of school architecture adopted both by E.R. Robson, architect for the London School Board in 1871, and by certain other New Zealand Education Board architects after the Education Act of 1877.

Detail Of Assessed Criteria

This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. The following comments are made in relation to the criteria identified under S.23(2) of the Historic Places Act 1993. b) The association of the place with events, persons, or ideas of importance in New Zealand history: The provision of educational resources to rural communities has been a major issue since organised European settlement began. Typically, the construction of a school came about only after considerable local debate (location half-way between Waddington and Sheffield appears very much to have been a compromise) and pressure on central Government agencies. Once established, the school acted as a focal point for the community. Its size rose and fell along with the local population. Since the end of WWII rural depopulation has led to the closure of many redundant rural schools. This one secured a second life serving the St Johns Ambulance organisation, but more recently it has outlived its usefulness to the brigade. g) The technical accomplishment or value, or design of the place: The former Waddington School is representative of schools first built in Canterbury. It was built in 1875 under the Provincial Education Board. The building is also representative of schools designed and built by both private contractors and Education Boards throughout the country immediately before and after the Education Act of 1877. The style of these secular schools has a common generic aspect to it consisting of a characteristically long rectangular main central block, gable ended with a rigid roof, and to which further wings and gables would be added as the need for further expansion arose. Windows were invariably rectangular multi-paned double-hung sash windows with hood mouldings, and on gable ends they were grouped in units of three or five lights with the central light always being taller than the rest, giving the place and ecclesiastical look (this later aspect may not have been accidental, since this period denominational schools were, or had been more common). Conclusion: The former Waddington School, is recommended for registration as a Category II as a place of historical and cultural heritage significance and value. The style of the former Waddington School is representative of those built in Canterbury in the 1870s. The building has had strong associations with education and the local community for over one hundred and twenty years.

New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT)

New Zealand Historic Places Trust