Poroutawhao School held its annual Agricultural Day at the weekend, an event which has been going for almost 100 years. Photographer Ashleigh le Gal
Poroutawhao School held its annual Agricultural Day at the weekend, an event which has been going for almost 100 years. Photographer Ashleigh le Gal
Poroutawhao School held its annual Agricultural Day at the weekend, almost 100 years after the first one.
School principal Nikki Harland, whose husband Kerry operated the barbecue, said the Agricultural Day showcased the school’s rural character.
“We are so privileged to have so much support from local businesses and our whānau...many of our tamariki raise calves and lambs, while those that can’t choose to raise a chick or grow a garden,” she said.
Poroutawhao School held its annual Agricultural Day at the weekend. Photo / Ashleigh le Gal.
“The whole school joins in with our country crafts...floral arrangements, miniature landscapes, petal art and pine cone creatures. All natural creations. The crafts, along with the baking, are judged and children get trophies and certificates.”
The very first Agricultural Day for Poroutawhao School was held in 1930. More than 90 years later, descendants of that very first intake of students have their animals in the ring.
Youngsters get involved in the Poroutawhao School Agricultural Day. Photo / Ashleigh le Gal.
Over the generations family names are repeated on many of the trophies, like the Easton family, who were represented in this generation in the calf competition by Jonty, Harry and Angus.
There were bouncy castles, a dunk tank, Fonterra barrel train, pony rides with Matilda and Izzy Day and Lucy Easton, bake sale, raffles, books, plants, veges, strawberries and ice cream, fully donated by Lewis Farms, bacon and eggs donated by New World Foxton and buns from Frank at Waitarere Four Square, plants donated by Mitre 10 and veges donated by Woodhaven Gardens.
A young competitor at the Agricultural Day holds his cup. Photo / Ashleigh le Gal.
Teacher Louise Ellis said students had been busy and could be proud of their pinecone creations, mini landscapes and flower arrangement. There was also petal art and biscuit decoration for the teina/junior classes, and a pikelet-making competition for the whole school.
There was also hair braiding, tattoos, and coloured hair spray and glitter. The dunk tank was loaned from Horowhenua District Council.
The dunk tank was loaned from Horowhenua District Council. Photo / Ashleigh le Gal.
There were trucks parked up for children to jump in and have a look around, and honk a horn, which cause a stir as lambs being judged got spooked by the blast.
More than whānau of current pupils attended, with members of Hirini, Gardner and Kirinoa supporting the event. There were four generations of the Mitchell family attending and also three generations of the Lewis whānau.
Photographer Ashleigh le Gal was on hand to provide pictures of the day.
Poroutawhao School will celebrate its centenary on King’s Birthday weekend next year. Photo / Ashleigh le Gal.
Poroutawhao School opened in 1924 and will celebrate its centenary on King’s Birthday weekend next year. Contact the school via email poroutawhao100@gmail.com
