The Miedema Family Writes ______________________________ The school bus didn’t come as far as our gate so it was walk, bike, or if I was lucky, a ride. Playing barefoot on the school field on a frosty morning; forgetting to wear shoes when we had woodwork that day; the latest craze – hop-scotch, marbles four square. We went by bus to Morrinsville for manual with Tauhei School, when the boys did wood and the girls cooked. We played rugby against other schools and had the annual Calf club day with a gala as well. Outside of the school there was table tennis at the hall and Saturday rugby for Northern Morrinsville. Catching the bus at the hall for a ride into town for rugby was great, especially if Mannie Pairama was the driver. I think it was in 1967 that there was a big flood, the water across the tanker track meant I couldn't get to school in the morning. Later we heard that there had been water through the store and across the tennis court and school field. At the recent jubilee I was reminded by Mr Mayhead of an incident that we were both involved in. It was to do with the new toilet block that had been built close to the back door of the main school building. There was a group of us outside the toilets and Mr Mayhead was there – whether it was telling us off about something or opening the new toilets I don’t recall. He went to the boys’ toilet but I had noticed the key to the outside door was still in the lock. So CLICK .. one headmaster locked inside. Luckily for me he saw the funny side to it. It wasn’t until my brother’s children started school in the early 1980’s that I started an involvement with Hoe-o-Tainui School that continues today. At first it was limited to such events as Calf Club but it was a start. I can remember my brother taking about the magic numbers required for a third teacher, which was achieved, and of the efforts to get the school bust to travel the main road toward Te Hoe. I married Diane and we began our family, which certainly leads to more involvement with schools. In 1988 our eldest child Belinda began as a pupil. She was number 24 on the roll at a small rural school. Concerns of her being without a variety of teachers were unfounded – three teachers in three terms in her first year and then a change of Principal when Mr John McGiven came. In 1989 Annemarie was enrolled and it also saw the introduction of Tomorrows Schools. An approach from members of the school committee saw my name go forward and with it the beginning of six years involvement on the Hoe-o-Tainui School Board of Trustees. It was a big learning curve for all the BoT members as only our chairperson, Brian Abbott, had remained from the outgoing school committee. There was a mission statement, budget and policies on almost everything to be written. Then there were the issues of Deferred Maintenance on the school buildings and schoolhouse to contend with and the associated dealings with the Ministry of Education. We also had to employ a new Principal, with Mr Jeff Stewart accepting the position. The school roll increased during this period, reaching almost 60 necessitating a third permanent teacher joining the staff. Community involvement and support of a Fund Raising Committee cumulated in the building of an adventure playground for the children. The school productions involving all the pupils were also a highlight during this time. The last four years on the BoT I was treasurer. It was a busy and rewarding time, certainly made easier with good working relationships between the BoT themselves and with the staff. Livestock Days and the associated auctions were well supported by the whole district and were our major fundraiser. When Scott started school in October 1993 he joined Belinda, Annemarie, Natalie and Kirk on the school roll. Now, in 2000, we have only one left at Hoe-o-Tainui. Jolie is in Year 5, so at the end of 2001 our involvement as parents at the school will be at an end. The roll at this time of writing is similar to when our eldest started, seems to have gone full circle and will hopefully be on the increase again. Peter Miedema July 2000. I started at Hoe-o-Tainui School in 1988, aged five years. Being the first of the children in my family, it was all a new experience. Going on the school bus with Mr Hopa was one of the exciting new things I got to experience, my sisters and brothers were All very jealous!! Mum used to take me down our 1-km driveway to catch the bus every morning on the back of her pushbike. I started school as the 24th on the roll and my first year saw me with three teachers in three terms – my parents fears of me being without a variety of teachers at such a small rural school were unfounded! I have many happy memories of my years at primary school. Its very relaxed and laid back, country atmosphere made it a great place to be. During my years there the annual calf club was always a major event, with the whole community involved in some way or another. Functions such as Welcome Ins at the hall were also a big thing for us kids and also lots of fun. Games such as bullrush, go home stay home, and tiggy dominated lunchtimes, along with fads such as elastics, roller-skating and four-square. In the earlier years the flying fox was also good fun, before it was pulled down due to new OSH regulations – very sad for us all. Standard four was a particularly neat year for me, with my first school camp at Port Waikato and the school production of “Aladdin” – an awesome experience and a definite highlight of my primary school years. Although I haven’t been a pupil at Hoe-o-Tainui for over six years now, having younger brothers and sisters there has meant I have been able to keep in touch with the happenings of the community and school. Going to the 75th Jubilee at Hoe-o-Tainui earlier this year was a neat way to catch up with old friends and teachers from my primary school days. I also met many people who knew or had been at school with my father when he was at Hoe-o-Tainui School, so we managed to dig out a few old stories of what he was like as a child!! Being involved in the organising and running of the Jubilee, by helping out with the meals and dishes etc. over the weekend, made me aware of all the time and effort it takes to make it a success. I now look forward to celebrating the 100th Jubilee, when I am 42, with everyone again. Belinda Miedema.
I am nine and I go to Hoe-o-Tainui school. I went on the school bus the day I turned five but I had been to school many times before with my five brothers and sisters or Mum and Dad. I especially enjoyed going to calf club day because there was always things for me to do. There are two rooms at school and the first year I started I was in the same class as my brother Scott. I didn’t mind that at all and it was really neat when it came to homework time because Scott was really good at maths and I was really good at language. Now I am the only one left at Hoe-O from our family. So the reunion was special to me. We had to decide what our item would be to entertain our guests to the 75th school Reunion. We chose to do a dance and we practised every day to get it how it was. A highlight for me was in the morning when the T.V. crew came and videoed us on the school bus and on the play ground. They were making a film about Jubilees in rural areas. After the weekend it was back to normal in class but we were all talking about the Reunion. I’ve only got one more year at Hoe-o-Tainui and then I’m off to Intermediate and Secondary school. Maybe I’ll be back for the 100th school Reunion when I am 34. But who knows what I’ll be up to then! Jolie Miedema.
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