Matarawa School, open 1878-1937.
On Matarawa Road, 8 kilometres from Greytown where a lot of the children from Matarawa went to primary school. There was a bridge at the end of Kuratawhiti Street from Greytown and the Waiohine Valley Road.
At one stage the Wellington Education Board wanted to close down both Dalefield and Matarawa in favour of building a new school in the middle of the area, but this was met with protests from both school areas, but especially from Dalefield School (and families) who felt it unfair their children would have to travel further to accommodate the Matarawa School children.
Reported in the local paper: "6th August 1890 WAIRARAPA SCHOOL GRIEVANCES. By Telegraph {Our Own Correspondent.) Carterton,. The contemplated removal of the Dalefield school to a site midway between Matarawa and Dalefield, so as to serve both districts, is regarded with indignation by the Dalefield residents, and a meeting of householders is to be held on Wednesday evening to discuss the matter, and frame a vigorous protest. The Education Board's reason for changing the site of the Dalefield school is the necessity, which has arisen for closing Matarawa school through the small number of children attending. The change is considered imperative for economy's sake. The Dalefield people rejoin that the new arrangement would entail very long journeys on the part of some of their present scholars ; that the ground whereon the school now stands was a free gift from private persons for educational purposes, and that within the last few months a new house for the schoolmaster has been erected at Dalefield, In the face of these facts it seems a case of inconveniencing the many to accommodate the few, for whereas Dalefield is a fairly populated locality with the school at a welldefined centre, its removal to a spot betwixt and between, simply to benefit the sparsely peopled Matarawa district, seems injudicious, to say the least of it. If the latter school is closed the children who have attended it can well come to Dalefield School where it is now. and this would be the best course from an all-round point of view"
Matarawa School was well attended over the years, and enjoyed community spirit, such as the regular family picnics.
Eventually, in 1937 Matarawa School was closed, and the Matarawa students were taken instead to Greytown School. (Dalefield School remains and is still open today, with an average role of 65 children).
There is little known locally about the school, and thanks to a couple of quick emails, we have now got a sign that commemorates the old school site. Unfortunately, it is not in the right place though! The school itself is actually a house now (opposite River Road) but its nice the Council at least tried. History buffs can read more about the school on the 'related web page'
Skindo has a Matarawa geocache too GC2EEWT