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Jack's Mill School, Kotuku, collection of photos
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DescriptionJack’s Mill School, Kotuku.. was originally opened in 1903 to educate children from Kotuku, a town that serviced the local sawmill. Edward Darracott arrived at Kotuku in 1935 to take up the position of headmaster at the small two teachers school. Darracott started a new programme.
The school pupils began by creating a garden for the school with lawn, shrubs and concrete paths aligned to the points of the compass.
Form 1 and 2 students(11 to 12 years old) designed and built a ½ sized model bungalow with ¾ size high walls to allow easy access.
Under Darracott’s guidance and with the support of the Kotuku community they learnt practical skills such as carpentry, bricklaying, plastering, painting and surveying as well as book keeping, letter writing and report writing. When complete the bungalow was fully functioning with electricity, running water and custom made ½ sized bathtub, sink and stove.Date of PhotoBetween 1st January 1903 and 31st December 2015Map[1] ContributorHeather Newby
The school pupils began by creating a garden for the school with lawn, shrubs and concrete paths aligned to the points of the compass.
Form 1 and 2 students(11 to 12 years old) designed and built a ½ sized model bungalow with ¾ size high walls to allow easy access.
Under Darracott’s guidance and with the support of the Kotuku community they learnt practical skills such as carpentry, bricklaying, plastering, painting and surveying as well as book keeping, letter writing and report writing. When complete the bungalow was fully functioning with electricity, running water and custom made ½ sized bathtub, sink and stove.Date of PhotoBetween 1st January 1903 and 31st December 2015Map[1] ContributorHeather Newby
Shown in this image
Location (city or town)KotukuPersonEdward Darracott
Category Information
Category TagSchool
From Facebook
CommentsPhillip Lee All the furniture was built to scale in this little house
January 25 at 8:55pm · Like · 1
Jeffrey Paparoa Holman That mirror, that glazed brick fireplace, so familiar...
January 26 at 6:35am · Like · 1
Gavin Case john o'brian opens school every sunday about 1.30
Mary Fenemor Great Place to Vist, a lot of History in these Buildings .
January 25 at 6:37pm · Like · 1
Joy Baker Marilyn and Robert Smithem are great historians of the school and willingly share stories with visitors. The bungalow is wonderful asset to the area and a fantastic testament to a great teacher.
January 26 at 12:18am · Like · 1
Marlene Green So many lovely memories of the Kotuku school where myself Marlene Angeline and Rosalie Downing attended
January 26 at 11:34am · Like
Joy Baker Our children passed there every day on the Bell Hill school bus while attending Lake Brunner School. Otherwise, I guess Kotoku would have been their school. It is such an exquisite building and a real credit to all involved.
January 26 at 11:49am · Like
Zelda Hughes Myself and my sister Noeline (Nestor ) both have great memories of Kotuku and the school.
January 26 at 10:58pm · Like
Geoffrey Bell The Bungalow was used for 'Special lessons', Religious Instruction being one. I still remember going there for those lessons. Recieving a copy of the 'Topix' Comic was the best part.
Noeline Pinn My old school lots of good memories
January 25 at 6:24pm · Like · 2
Mary Fenemor And, Lots of Good People went to this school x
January 25 at 6:38pm · Like · 2
Sue Lyon Fantastic teacher of essential life skills which so many children are not taught these days. We need a lot more Darracott's in our communities.
January 25 at 6:43pm · Like · 5
Wayne Garraway My Mother "Kath Lucas" attended this school. Her brother, Bill help ed build that bungalow. Great History!
January 25 at 6:49pm · Edited · Like · 2
Mary Fenemor Wonderful Days spent together growing up, The Johns & Lucas Families. *Those* were, the good Old days! x
January 25 at 6:54pm · Like · 1
Nicola Cotterill an educator ahead of his time - so many kids would flourish doing stuff like this, not everyone is cut out for book learning. What an awesome project smile emoticon
January 25 at 6:54pm · Like · 5
Heather Newby The school closed down in 1955.
January 25 at 7:22pm · Like
Therese Gibbens My father, Kevin Molloy, went to Jacks Mill School from about 1925. I have his Leaving Certificate.
January 25 at 7:50pm · Like · 4
Therese Gibbens Geoffrey Bell
January 25 at 7:50pm · Like
Merle Brown Mr Darracott taught at Blaketown School in the middle 40's
January 25 at 8:36pm · Like · 1
Colin Wright Called in here one day and this great elderly man spent ages showing us around the whole school and told us all the history and photos of him there as a child.... Was well worth the trip...lovely man..
January 25 at 9:55pm · Like · 3
Heather Newby Thats interesting Merle Brown I didnt know that.
January 25 at 10:11pm · Like
Merle Brown I started blaketown school at the end of 1946 he was either the headmaster then or came shortly after
January 25 at 11:30pm · Like · 2
Diane Burling We stayed there for school camp once. ..fun fun times
January 26 at 8:06am · Like · 1
Marlene Green Growing up in Kotuku and attending this great school was just the best life
January 26 at 12:44pm · Like · 1
Don Hutton Ted Darracott was a friend of my parents when I was knee high to a grasshopper. Heather Newby do you know if he move from Kotuku to teach in Greymouth? Might have lived in our street, Marsden Road.
January 26 at 3:09pm · Like · 1
Janet Kilkelly Mr Darracot was headmaster at Blaketown whenI started in 1946
January 26 at 3:46pm · Like · 2
Brenda Brown if he was headmaster at blaketown Don he probaly lived in school house at 3 Robinson St.
January 26 at 6:40pm · Like · 1
Merle Brown 3 Robinson St was not a school house then I think he boarded somewhere in Blaketown. There were about 5 of us having our tonsils out in 46 or 47 Mr Darracot came to visit us and brought us a little gift.
January 26 at 7:15pm · Like · 1
Heather Newby Thats interesting Don Hutton There were some really good teachers at Blaketown School
January 26 at 7:31pm · Like
Don Hutton According to NZ Electoral Rolls 1853 - 1981 Ted Darracott was at Kotuku in 1935 and 1938. In 1946 his address was c/- Mrs Mussen, Blake St, Greymouth. Did he go from Kotuku to Blaketown or did he have another appointment in between?
January 26 at 8:03pm · Edited · Like
Don Hutton A little further research in the Electoral Rolls has revealed that Ted Darracott lived next door to my mother's home in Dunedin in 1928, the year she and dad were married. QED!
January 26 at 8:11pm · Edited · Like
Ian Webber I always thought 3 Robinson St was used by Headmasters at Blaketown. Was it because they purchased it of one-another? Mr Leach certainly lived there.
January 26 at 8:32pm · Like
Don Hutton I would say that as Ted Darracott was a single man he probably preferred to board with a family rather than rattle around in a school house on his own. So the school house at 3 Robinson St which belonged to the Education Board may have been let to anot...See More
January 26 at 11:35pm · Like
Geoffrey Bell This was my first school. We lived on the opposite side of the road from it. Marilyn Smithem would be able to supply more information about Ted Darracott. The gardening competition carried on throughout the years. This photos shows Jack's Mill School as the winner in 1953. I am the fair headed one in the front row, with Alan Gillman on my right and Marlene Downing on my left. Robert Smithem and myself were paired off together with a garden plot. We had the best plot. Hine Hamilton and Len Brereton are holding the shield.
Geoffrey Bell's photo.
January 27 at 8:53am · Like · 4
Geoffrey Bell This photo shows Ted Darracott second from the left in the back row. Next to him, on the end, is Terence Molloy.
Geoffrey Bell's photo.
January 27 at 9:11am · Like · 3
Don Hutton Great photos Geoffrey Bell
January 27 at 9:16am · Like
Geoffrey Bell The previous photo was a school field day at the Kotuku Oil Rig.
January 27 at 9:17am · Like
Geoffrey Bell This 1937 photo is a good example of what Ted Darracott had in mind for the gardens. The Peter Pan statue is in the centre and the paths lead out North, South, East and West.
Geoffrey Bell's photo.
January 27 at 10:06am · Like · 4
Don Hutton Spoke with a former education colleague today who said Ted Darracott was the inaugural principal of Tahuna Intermediate in Dunedin c.1960. Not surprising considering all the good things posted here about him.
January 27 at 2:59pm · Like
Merle Brown Looked up BDM on line there was a death for Edward Robert Darracott aged 69 in 1974
January 27 at 5:01pm · Like
Don Hutton Yes, that's Ted Merle Brown he died 28 Feb 1974, buried 4 Mar at Andersons Bay Cty, Dunedin. There's a photo of the headstone at http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/.../cemet.../cemeteries_search... According to another site Ted was at Kotuku 1935 - 1941.
Cemeteries search - Dunedin City Council
Photos of headstones in the Southern Cemetery, have been added to the website, as a project carried out by...
DUNEDIN.GOVT.NZ
January 27 at 5:18pm · Like · Remove Preview
Don Hutton Geoffrey Bell Just noticed Hine Hamilton in the first photo you posted. She was my first real girlfriend at GTHS. Lived not far from the school with her sister and brother in law (Joe Dalziel?). Hine is in a photo of the GTHS "A" basketball team I posted today.
January 27 at 5:33pm · Edited · Like · 1
Rhonda Glasson I always have a wonder round there when I'm out that way they done a wonderful job it's good to read about the history of it and see the old photos before all the trees grew
January 27 at 5:41pm · Like
Geoffrey Bell Don Hutton, I will repost the photos together with the names.
January 28 at 9:29am · Like · 1
January 25 at 8:55pm · Like · 1
Jeffrey Paparoa Holman That mirror, that glazed brick fireplace, so familiar...
January 26 at 6:35am · Like · 1
Gavin Case john o'brian opens school every sunday about 1.30
Mary Fenemor Great Place to Vist, a lot of History in these Buildings .
January 25 at 6:37pm · Like · 1
Joy Baker Marilyn and Robert Smithem are great historians of the school and willingly share stories with visitors. The bungalow is wonderful asset to the area and a fantastic testament to a great teacher.
January 26 at 12:18am · Like · 1
Marlene Green So many lovely memories of the Kotuku school where myself Marlene Angeline and Rosalie Downing attended
January 26 at 11:34am · Like
Joy Baker Our children passed there every day on the Bell Hill school bus while attending Lake Brunner School. Otherwise, I guess Kotoku would have been their school. It is such an exquisite building and a real credit to all involved.
January 26 at 11:49am · Like
Zelda Hughes Myself and my sister Noeline (Nestor ) both have great memories of Kotuku and the school.
January 26 at 10:58pm · Like
Geoffrey Bell The Bungalow was used for 'Special lessons', Religious Instruction being one. I still remember going there for those lessons. Recieving a copy of the 'Topix' Comic was the best part.
Noeline Pinn My old school lots of good memories
January 25 at 6:24pm · Like · 2
Mary Fenemor And, Lots of Good People went to this school x
January 25 at 6:38pm · Like · 2
Sue Lyon Fantastic teacher of essential life skills which so many children are not taught these days. We need a lot more Darracott's in our communities.
January 25 at 6:43pm · Like · 5
Wayne Garraway My Mother "Kath Lucas" attended this school. Her brother, Bill help ed build that bungalow. Great History!
January 25 at 6:49pm · Edited · Like · 2
Mary Fenemor Wonderful Days spent together growing up, The Johns & Lucas Families. *Those* were, the good Old days! x
January 25 at 6:54pm · Like · 1
Nicola Cotterill an educator ahead of his time - so many kids would flourish doing stuff like this, not everyone is cut out for book learning. What an awesome project smile emoticon
January 25 at 6:54pm · Like · 5
Heather Newby The school closed down in 1955.
January 25 at 7:22pm · Like
Therese Gibbens My father, Kevin Molloy, went to Jacks Mill School from about 1925. I have his Leaving Certificate.
January 25 at 7:50pm · Like · 4
Therese Gibbens Geoffrey Bell
January 25 at 7:50pm · Like
Merle Brown Mr Darracott taught at Blaketown School in the middle 40's
January 25 at 8:36pm · Like · 1
Colin Wright Called in here one day and this great elderly man spent ages showing us around the whole school and told us all the history and photos of him there as a child.... Was well worth the trip...lovely man..
January 25 at 9:55pm · Like · 3
Heather Newby Thats interesting Merle Brown I didnt know that.
January 25 at 10:11pm · Like
Merle Brown I started blaketown school at the end of 1946 he was either the headmaster then or came shortly after
January 25 at 11:30pm · Like · 2
Diane Burling We stayed there for school camp once. ..fun fun times
January 26 at 8:06am · Like · 1
Marlene Green Growing up in Kotuku and attending this great school was just the best life
January 26 at 12:44pm · Like · 1
Don Hutton Ted Darracott was a friend of my parents when I was knee high to a grasshopper. Heather Newby do you know if he move from Kotuku to teach in Greymouth? Might have lived in our street, Marsden Road.
January 26 at 3:09pm · Like · 1
Janet Kilkelly Mr Darracot was headmaster at Blaketown whenI started in 1946
January 26 at 3:46pm · Like · 2
Brenda Brown if he was headmaster at blaketown Don he probaly lived in school house at 3 Robinson St.
January 26 at 6:40pm · Like · 1
Merle Brown 3 Robinson St was not a school house then I think he boarded somewhere in Blaketown. There were about 5 of us having our tonsils out in 46 or 47 Mr Darracot came to visit us and brought us a little gift.
January 26 at 7:15pm · Like · 1
Heather Newby Thats interesting Don Hutton There were some really good teachers at Blaketown School
January 26 at 7:31pm · Like
Don Hutton According to NZ Electoral Rolls 1853 - 1981 Ted Darracott was at Kotuku in 1935 and 1938. In 1946 his address was c/- Mrs Mussen, Blake St, Greymouth. Did he go from Kotuku to Blaketown or did he have another appointment in between?
January 26 at 8:03pm · Edited · Like
Don Hutton A little further research in the Electoral Rolls has revealed that Ted Darracott lived next door to my mother's home in Dunedin in 1928, the year she and dad were married. QED!
January 26 at 8:11pm · Edited · Like
Ian Webber I always thought 3 Robinson St was used by Headmasters at Blaketown. Was it because they purchased it of one-another? Mr Leach certainly lived there.
January 26 at 8:32pm · Like
Don Hutton I would say that as Ted Darracott was a single man he probably preferred to board with a family rather than rattle around in a school house on his own. So the school house at 3 Robinson St which belonged to the Education Board may have been let to anot...See More
January 26 at 11:35pm · Like
Geoffrey Bell This was my first school. We lived on the opposite side of the road from it. Marilyn Smithem would be able to supply more information about Ted Darracott. The gardening competition carried on throughout the years. This photos shows Jack's Mill School as the winner in 1953. I am the fair headed one in the front row, with Alan Gillman on my right and Marlene Downing on my left. Robert Smithem and myself were paired off together with a garden plot. We had the best plot. Hine Hamilton and Len Brereton are holding the shield.
Geoffrey Bell's photo.
January 27 at 8:53am · Like · 4
Geoffrey Bell This photo shows Ted Darracott second from the left in the back row. Next to him, on the end, is Terence Molloy.
Geoffrey Bell's photo.
January 27 at 9:11am · Like · 3
Don Hutton Great photos Geoffrey Bell
January 27 at 9:16am · Like
Geoffrey Bell The previous photo was a school field day at the Kotuku Oil Rig.
January 27 at 9:17am · Like
Geoffrey Bell This 1937 photo is a good example of what Ted Darracott had in mind for the gardens. The Peter Pan statue is in the centre and the paths lead out North, South, East and West.
Geoffrey Bell's photo.
January 27 at 10:06am · Like · 4
Don Hutton Spoke with a former education colleague today who said Ted Darracott was the inaugural principal of Tahuna Intermediate in Dunedin c.1960. Not surprising considering all the good things posted here about him.
January 27 at 2:59pm · Like
Merle Brown Looked up BDM on line there was a death for Edward Robert Darracott aged 69 in 1974
January 27 at 5:01pm · Like
Don Hutton Yes, that's Ted Merle Brown he died 28 Feb 1974, buried 4 Mar at Andersons Bay Cty, Dunedin. There's a photo of the headstone at http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/.../cemet.../cemeteries_search... According to another site Ted was at Kotuku 1935 - 1941.
Cemeteries search - Dunedin City Council
Photos of headstones in the Southern Cemetery, have been added to the website, as a project carried out by...
DUNEDIN.GOVT.NZ
January 27 at 5:18pm · Like · Remove Preview
Don Hutton Geoffrey Bell Just noticed Hine Hamilton in the first photo you posted. She was my first real girlfriend at GTHS. Lived not far from the school with her sister and brother in law (Joe Dalziel?). Hine is in a photo of the GTHS "A" basketball team I posted today.
January 27 at 5:33pm · Edited · Like · 1
Rhonda Glasson I always have a wonder round there when I'm out that way they done a wonderful job it's good to read about the history of it and see the old photos before all the trees grew
January 27 at 5:41pm · Like
Geoffrey Bell Don Hutton, I will repost the photos together with the names.
January 28 at 9:29am · Like · 1
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West Coast New Zealand History (10th Aug 2015). Jack's Mill School, Kotuku, collection of photos. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 10th Jun 2026 17:54, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/12380