Blackwater School
On our way to the Waiuti mining area near Reefton, we came across an old school and were surprised it was open.
When we went inside it looked like the children had just gone out for lunch. It was fascinating looking around this little school with it old photos of the once thriving area. There is now only the school and a couple of houses left. It looks like the school closed at the end of 1947 according to the school rolls school. A snap shot of history well worth visit.
How to get there:
Access to Waiuta is signposted from State Highway 7, – 58 km north of Greymouth and 21 km south of Reefton.
Beyond Blackwater a good shingle road winds up through forest for 8km to emerge on Waiuta’s Top Road.
offthemainroadnz.com 
That’s cool Tony what a great place to go to school, I bet you have great memories from there 🙂
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Hi, I would love to use one or two of your photos of Blackwater School for an article in the Education Gazette. Could you please contact me- email details below.
Rgds
Joy Stephens
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Hi Joy, there is no email address?
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Found it, I have emailed you.
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Crikey Joy, have just revisited this commentary and discovered your request. Sincere apology is due!
Even at 88 I easily recall events like the class reading aloud from the wall charts in chorus, our lady teacher (met again at a school reunion in 1985) standing at front telling stories, as well as some of my early chums.
The Schoolhouse and all of Blackwater was surrounded with blackberry vines. I remember all being evacuated due to a burnoff swinging high flames that threatened the Schoolhouse. Also the whole school splashing in the creek together. Of course there are more life memories there too, still in my heart.
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