The High School Department of the School opened in 1883, closed in 1887 owing to dwindling roles and lack of funding, and reopened in 1902. A new secondary school building was built in Clare Street in 1926-27, thus relieving the accommodation problem at Cambridge Primary School for a short time.
Over the years the building ceased to operate as an effective teaching environment. Illumination, acoustics and ventilation were inadequate. The building was, however, structurally sound and for this reason the decision was made in 1980 to remodel the existing rather than to rebuild. The objective was to retain the character of the old building while creating a teaching environment to rival that of a modern school building.
List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
4157
Date Entered
28th June 1990
Date of Effect
28th June 1990
City/District Council
Waipā District
Region
Waikato Region
Legal description
Allot 42 Town of Cambridge East (RT SA31/269), Allot 43 Town of Cambridge East (NZ Gazette 1920 p.2027), Allot 44 Town of Cambridge East (RT SA1/181), Allot 45 Town of Cambridge East (NZ Gazette 1967 p.345) and Allot 599A Town of Cambridge East (NZ Gazette 1879 p. 1438), South Auckland Land District
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
4157
Date Entered
28th June 1990
Date of Effect
28th June 1990
City/District Council
Waipā District
Region
Waikato Region
Legal description
Allot 42 Town of Cambridge East (RT SA31/269), Allot 43 Town of Cambridge East (NZ Gazette 1920 p.2027), Allot 44 Town of Cambridge East (RT SA1/181), Allot 45 Town of Cambridge East (NZ Gazette 1967 p.345) and Allot 599A Town of Cambridge East (NZ Gazette 1879 p. 1438), South Auckland Land District
Why is this place significant?
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. The school dates from the 1860s and the building from 1879. It has had a long association with Cambridge and its community and few members of Cambridge's established families have not passed through this school. The character of the building reflects the growth and changing educational needs of this town.
Physical Significance
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. ARCHITECTURAL QUALITY: While the overall form of the building is the product of several additions, an homogeneity of design has been achieved. Gothic elements such as steeply pitched roofs, gables and an emphasis on picturesque variety in the placement of individual blocks have been employed. Cambridge Primary School is a fine example of a Victorian educational building whose current form is a reflection of the New Zealand tradition of adaptation and addition TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK VALUE: The extended facade has very considerable streetscape quality.
Why is this place significant?
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. The school dates from the 1860s and the building from 1879. It has had a long association with Cambridge and its community and few members of Cambridge's established families have not passed through this school. The character of the building reflects the growth and changing educational needs of this town.
Physical Significance
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. ARCHITECTURAL QUALITY: While the overall form of the building is the product of several additions, an homogeneity of design has been achieved. Gothic elements such as steeply pitched roofs, gables and an emphasis on picturesque variety in the placement of individual blocks have been employed. Cambridge Primary School is a fine example of a Victorian educational building whose current form is a reflection of the New Zealand tradition of adaptation and addition TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK VALUE: The extended facade has very considerable streetscape quality.
Construction Professional
Name
Mitchell & Watt
Type
Architectural Partnership
Biography
John Mitchell (c.1859-1947) and Robert Martin Watt (1860-1907) were in partnership at Auckland by 1892. Mitchell was born in Ramelton, Northern Ireland, and received his architectural training in Ireland before emigrating to New Zealand in 1888 and settling in Auckland. He became known for his early use of reinforced concrete. In 1893 he invented a baked earthenware block which was used in domestic construction. He left for England in 1912 and was involved with a prefabricated housing project at Bournemouth. He retired in 1922 and returned to New Zealand. Watt was born in Scotland and studied architecture in Glasgow with the firm of Barclay Bros. He immigrated to New Zealand about 1878 for health reasons and practised in Auckland both on his own account and in partnership with Mitchell. In 1960 he was elected president of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects. Mitchell and Watt were appointed architects to the Auckland Education Board in 1892. Mitchell undertook new work while Watt undertook rebuilding projects and renovations to existing buildings. Their work includes schools at Te Mata (1905) and Maungatautari (1905), additions to schools at Cambridge (1900) and Dargaville (1905), the Seddon Memorial Technical College (1908-13). Non-educational buildings include Mt Eden Congregational Church (1900). Watt was responsible for the design of the Ley's Institute, Ponsonby (1905-06).
Name
Farrell, John
Type
Architect
Biography
No biography is currently available for this construction professional
Construction Details
Start Year
1874
Type
Original Construction
Description
Original Schoolhouse built
Start Year
1879
Type
Addition
Description
Eastern Classroom added
Start Year
1881
Type
Addition
Description
Southern Classroom added
Start Year
1886
Type
Addition
Description
New Structure for Boys School built to the east
Start Year
1904
Type
Addition
Description
New Classroom to west added
Start Year
1919
Finish Year
1920
Type
Addition
Description
Major extensions to south (nine classrooms added)
Start Year
1977
Type
Addition
Description
Minor additions to south
Start Year
1980
Type
Addition
Description
Remodelling, addition of services and staffroom
Start Year
1900
Type
Demolished - prior building
Description
Original Schoolhouse Structure Demolished
Start Year
1900
Type
Modification
Description
Wings Rearranged
Construction Materials
Timber framing and sheathing, the early sections in heart kauri. Corrugated iron roof.
Notable Features
Finial and decorative detailing to the central bay (1886) of the front facade. Continuity between bays, the dates of which span 25 years.
Construction Professional
Name
Mitchell & Watt
Type
Architectural Partnership
Biography
John Mitchell (c.1859-1947) and Robert Martin Watt (1860-1907) were in partnership at Auckland by 1892. Mitchell was born in Ramelton, Northern Ireland, and received his architectural training in Ireland before emigrating to New Zealand in 1888 and settling in Auckland. He became known for his early use of reinforced concrete. In 1893 he invented a baked earthenware block which was used in domestic construction. He left for England in 1912 and was involved with a prefabricated housing project at Bournemouth. He retired in 1922 and returned to New Zealand. Watt was born in Scotland and studied architecture in Glasgow with the firm of Barclay Bros. He immigrated to New Zealand about 1878 for health reasons and practised in Auckland both on his own account and in partnership with Mitchell. In 1960 he was elected president of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects. Mitchell and Watt were appointed architects to the Auckland Education Board in 1892. Mitchell undertook new work while Watt undertook rebuilding projects and renovations to existing buildings. Their work includes schools at Te Mata (1905) and Maungatautari (1905), additions to schools at Cambridge (1900) and Dargaville (1905), the Seddon Memorial Technical College (1908-13). Non-educational buildings include Mt Eden Congregational Church (1900). Watt was responsible for the design of the Ley's Institute, Ponsonby (1905-06).
Name
Farrell, John
Type
Architect
Biography
No biography is currently available for this construction professional
Construction Details
Start Year
1874
Type
Original Construction
Description
Original Schoolhouse built
Start Year
1879
Type
Addition
Description
Eastern Classroom added
Start Year
1881
Type
Addition
Description
Southern Classroom added
Start Year
1886
Type
Addition
Description
New Structure for Boys School built to the east
Start Year
1904
Type
Addition
Description
New Classroom to west added
Start Year
1919
Finish Year
1920
Type
Addition
Description
Major extensions to south (nine classrooms added)
Start Year
1977
Type
Addition
Description
Minor additions to south
Start Year
1980
Type
Addition
Description
Remodelling, addition of services and staffroom
Start Year
1900
Type
Demolished - prior building
Description
Original Schoolhouse Structure Demolished
Start Year
1900
Type
Modification
Description
Wings Rearranged
Construction Materials
Timber framing and sheathing, the early sections in heart kauri. Corrugated iron roof.
Notable Features
Finial and decorative detailing to the central bay (1886) of the front facade. Continuity between bays, the dates of which span 25 years.
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION: This single storey Victorian building is composed of a series of additions. The front facade consists of four bays dated 1881, 1886, 1879 and 1904 (east to west) yet repetitive detailing has produced a continuity between them. Each of the bays features the steeply pitched roofs of the Gothic Revival and simply decorated barge boards. There are also geometric window hood mouldings and bracketed window sills and door architraves. The complex window design uses the Palladian motif of a central window flanked on either side by a smaller window. The numerous small paned lights are a consistent feature of the building.
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION: This single storey Victorian building is composed of a series of additions. The front facade consists of four bays dated 1881, 1886, 1879 and 1904 (east to west) yet repetitive detailing has produced a continuity between them. Each of the bays features the steeply pitched roofs of the Gothic Revival and simply decorated barge boards. There are also geometric window hood mouldings and bracketed window sills and door architraves. The complex window design uses the Palladian motif of a central window flanked on either side by a smaller window. The numerous small paned lights are a consistent feature of the building.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
5th March 1990
Information Sources
Cyclopedia of New Zealand
Cyclopedia Company, Industrial, descriptive, historical, biographical facts, figures, illustrations, Wellington, N.Z, 1897-1908
Kellaway, 1981
J. Warwick Kellaway, Education 150: From Schoolhouse to Classpace in the Waikato-Bay of Plenty, Hamilton, 1981
Kellaway, 1980
Kellaway, J.N. Cambridge School 1980, From Schoolhouse to Classpace: 100 Years of Schooling in the Waikato-Bay of Plenty
Other Information
A copy of this report is available from the NZHPT Lower Northern Area Office Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions. This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
5th March 1990
Information Sources
Cyclopedia of New Zealand
Cyclopedia Company, Industrial, descriptive, historical, biographical facts, figures, illustrations, Wellington, N.Z, 1897-1908
Kellaway, 1981
J. Warwick Kellaway, Education 150: From Schoolhouse to Classpace in the Waikato-Bay of Plenty, Hamilton, 1981
Kellaway, 1980
Kellaway, J.N. Cambridge School 1980, From Schoolhouse to Classpace: 100 Years of Schooling in the Waikato-Bay of Plenty
Other Information
A copy of this report is available from the NZHPT Lower Northern Area Office Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions. This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration.
Former Usages
General Usage: Education
Specific Usage: School
Former Usages
General Usage: Education
Specific Usage: School
Location
Sign up to hear more
Get the latest heritage news, features and events delivered
straight to your inbox.
