Historic Jack's Mill School - Constructed between 1938 and 1940 in the small saw-milling settlement of Kotuku.

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DescriptionThe school was opened c1909 in the small saw-milling settlement of Kotuku. Little distinguished it from any other rural school until 1935 when Edward Darracott was appointed headmaster. He was an advocate of a new approach to education in New Zealand, which emphasised experiential learning tailored to the needs of individual children.

FROM D.O. C. WEBSITE.

Considered revolutionary, Darracott gave his students hands on projects to teach them practical skills that would equip them for adult life. Making over the school’s garden was the first task.

Once the garden was complete, Darracott’s philosophy of experiential learning was realised on a much more ambitious scale when he led a group of 10-12 year old students to design, build and furnish a small bungalow, built to three quarter size. Students were involved in all aspects of its construction. They even sourced three quarter size interior appliances including a bath tub, hot water cylinder, stove, kitchen sink and kitchen units.

When finished the bungalow was fully functional, complete with electricity and running water.It was used as the home economics room until the close of the school in 1955.Date of Photobetween 1938 and 1940Map^[1]External LinkD.O.C WEBSITEContributorHeather Newby

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Location (city or town)Kotuku.

From Facebook

Date Created17th September 2026CommentsGeoffrey Bell
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We lived opposite the school, which I attended. I spent a lot of time, during that period, inside the Bungalow shown above.

Andy Bone
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Scale house amazing history sad we lot the logic of leaning for some

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Historic Jack's Mill School - Constructed between 1938 and 1940 in the small saw-milling settlement of Kotuku.

Editing is temporarily disabled