Watch NZH Local Focus: Ngamatea School closes for good

For the people of Rangiwaea south of Ohakune, Anzac Day had a special poignancy this year.

The community gathered not only to remember our fallen soldiers, but also to mark the closure of Ngamatea School.

"There are less children here, one is that the roads are better, and the cars are faster. It's more convenient for the mums, the partners, to take the children into school where they work, in a centre like Ohakune," says Ngamatea school principal Kathy Forster.

The school was opened as Te Pou School in 1915, and when 180 pounds of funding came through from the Department of Education, Ngamatea School was built two years later.

"It's obviously sad to see it close, but I think we all as a district realise its progress in a way that um it's probably better to have it closing on a high as much as anything, says Les Matthews, former student.

The school roll peaked in 1927, when there were 38 children enrolled.

Students travelled to and from school by ponies, which were left in the back paddock while they were in class.

"The children rode to school here, from north and south of the school. There were farming enterprises happening plus there was also a lot of sawmills in the area,"says local historian Marion Donald.

And while the school may be closing its legacy will live on, in the lessons learned by the children who got their start in education here.

"I feel particularly proud that students were learning really well and that was recognised by ERO when they visited," says Mrs Forster.

The hope is that the school can turn into a community center, where it can be used by everyone.

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