1965
By 1965, the population of Tokoroa had grown to over 16,000 residents. The Cook Island population was growing with people immigrating constantly throughout this period. The Island of Aitutaki, which is part of the Cook Islands, provided Tokoroa with many timber workers, and families to populate the town. The numbers of Cook Islanders, especially from the Island Aitutaki had increased so much that Tokoroa was soon dubbed "Little Aitutaki".
This prompted the construction of a giant processing plant called Kinleith in Tokoroa. This increased chances of employment
A speculated implication of the influx of Cook Islanders on the school would have been the many social, and language differences the teachers in the schools of the time would have had to cater for. A classroom in Tokoroa in the mid-sixties would have had students at many different levels of English proficiency, and the number of English as Second Language Learners in a classroom may have out-numbered those that had English as their first language. The pressure the teachers of Tokoroa faced at this time would have been incomprehensible.
The people that did settle in Tokoroa were usually uneducated because the kind of employment available was physical, and those Cook Islanders that were educated in Rarotonga usually settled in the bigger cities, leaving the less prepared to settle in Tokoroa where they could gain employment. This was also reflected in the composition of the schools generally having low-income families with little access to reading material, and learning resources (Chapple, 1976).
However, in comparison to Kawerau, the other major forestry processing town, the Maori population was out-numbered by European. 15% of the population of Tokoroa identified as Maori. It is speculated that this is due to the distance Tokoroa is from ancestral land, as the area was never traditionally inhabited by any particular indigenous tribe because of the infertility of the land.
1965 also saw the construction and opening of two more schools in Tokoroa that were built in light of the increase in population. These schools were Tokoroa South School (Now named Strathmore School), and Matarawa School.
This prompted the construction of a giant processing plant called Kinleith in Tokoroa. This increased chances of employment
A speculated implication of the influx of Cook Islanders on the school would have been the many social, and language differences the teachers in the schools of the time would have had to cater for. A classroom in Tokoroa in the mid-sixties would have had students at many different levels of English proficiency, and the number of English as Second Language Learners in a classroom may have out-numbered those that had English as their first language. The pressure the teachers of Tokoroa faced at this time would have been incomprehensible.
The people that did settle in Tokoroa were usually uneducated because the kind of employment available was physical, and those Cook Islanders that were educated in Rarotonga usually settled in the bigger cities, leaving the less prepared to settle in Tokoroa where they could gain employment. This was also reflected in the composition of the schools generally having low-income families with little access to reading material, and learning resources (Chapple, 1976).
However, in comparison to Kawerau, the other major forestry processing town, the Maori population was out-numbered by European. 15% of the population of Tokoroa identified as Maori. It is speculated that this is due to the distance Tokoroa is from ancestral land, as the area was never traditionally inhabited by any particular indigenous tribe because of the infertility of the land.
1965 also saw the construction and opening of two more schools in Tokoroa that were built in light of the increase in population. These schools were Tokoroa South School (Now named Strathmore School), and Matarawa School.
1970s and 1980s
By this time, the amount of Cook Islanders living in Tokoroa had increased to nearly 'every second house being a Cook Islander families'. The amount of first generation New Zealanders from the Cook Island Migrants had nearly doubled the amount that originally came from the Islands.
Tokoroa had a Business district, a high school, several churches and a great community spirit. Another high school was in development and Tokoroa was very close to being given 'city' status with the population reaching over 18,000. Tokoroa East School was one of 8 Primary schools and 1 Intermediate school. The schools had to deal with over-crowding at this time, as well as a shortage of teaching staff, and space to cater for the huge numbers that some of the schools were catering for.
Tokoroa East School was now separated from the township of Tokoroa by State Highway One, and was located right on the fringe of where the residential areas had been developed. The implications of this being that Tokoroa East became one of the smaller schools in Tokoroa with a roll of just over 300 students in comparison the 900 at Tokoroa Intermediate, and the 670 at Balmoral Primary school, both more centrally located within the residential area of Tokoroa (Chapple, 1976).
Tokoroa had a Business district, a high school, several churches and a great community spirit. Another high school was in development and Tokoroa was very close to being given 'city' status with the population reaching over 18,000. Tokoroa East School was one of 8 Primary schools and 1 Intermediate school. The schools had to deal with over-crowding at this time, as well as a shortage of teaching staff, and space to cater for the huge numbers that some of the schools were catering for.
Tokoroa East School was now separated from the township of Tokoroa by State Highway One, and was located right on the fringe of where the residential areas had been developed. The implications of this being that Tokoroa East became one of the smaller schools in Tokoroa with a roll of just over 300 students in comparison the 900 at Tokoroa Intermediate, and the 670 at Balmoral Primary school, both more centrally located within the residential area of Tokoroa (Chapple, 1976).
Late 80s, Early 90s
The surge in population of Tokoroa had slowed right down by the 80s, and the town had not quite reached the population needed to be given 'City' status. The Forestry industry was humming, but the booming days had passed. Tokoroa was running smoothly with the population composition, as well as numbers regulating around the 17,000 mark.
Tokoroa East School ran similarly throughout this period with not many significant changes occurring. During this time, several classrooms received renovations, as well as some prefabricated classrooms being relocated due to need.
Throughout this period, the school experienced a roll drop gradually over this time due to several different reasons. Some families started moving out of Tokoroa because of other employment opportunities. The roll in the mid-nineties was just under 300 students.
Matarawa School and Balmoral School both closed in the late 90s due to roll drops, and students were given schooling at the remaining schools. Only several students moved from these schools to Tokoroa East School, seeing the roll increase slightly by several students.
Also during this time, the playground was upgraded, and replaced with a newer model, as well as three bilingual units being introduced in the school. Cook Island, Samoan and Te Reo Maori. This did bring students out from the other schools who had parents interested in the bilingual education being offered.
Tokoroa East School ran similarly throughout this period with not many significant changes occurring. During this time, several classrooms received renovations, as well as some prefabricated classrooms being relocated due to need.
Throughout this period, the school experienced a roll drop gradually over this time due to several different reasons. Some families started moving out of Tokoroa because of other employment opportunities. The roll in the mid-nineties was just under 300 students.
Matarawa School and Balmoral School both closed in the late 90s due to roll drops, and students were given schooling at the remaining schools. Only several students moved from these schools to Tokoroa East School, seeing the roll increase slightly by several students.
Also during this time, the playground was upgraded, and replaced with a newer model, as well as three bilingual units being introduced in the school. Cook Island, Samoan and Te Reo Maori. This did bring students out from the other schools who had parents interested in the bilingual education being offered.
2000-2009
In 2002, Tokoroa East School had just over 200 students, and were running smoothly. At the time, Kinleith Mill was having trouble, and made huge cuts to jobs and closed different sections of the mill. This had a huge impact on the town and saw the exit of many of the local population. This had an affect on school roll numbers all over Tokoroa.
Tokoroa East School lost over 40 students to families that had to move for employment. This number gradually decreased over-time.
The Education Review Office reports of this time discuss possible issues, and the need to up-skill staff through Professional Development, as the achievement of the school was not the great. This saw the beginning of a difficult time for Tokoroa East School. Sadly, this was known throughout the town, and more students left the school leaving a very small roll of just under 80 students in 2005.
In 2007 & 2008, speculation about the closure of the school began with several groups rallying together to fight the possible closure. This did not stop people from leaving the school, one reason being the ongoing decline in available jobs in Tokoroa.
By 2009, the school had 30 students and ran three classes. One Samoan, One Cook Island and One Mainstream. The school had a staff of four, three teaching staff and a Principal. With many empty classes, most of the school's prefabricated classrooms had been removed, with only permanent buildings remaining.
By the end of 2009, the school had 5 students who were enrolled for 2010, with a closing date of the end of Term 1, 2010 being given to the school because of lack of improvement in roll numbers despite Ministry, and school efforts to improve teaching practice, and reputation around Tokoroa.
By the beginning of Term One 2010, the school roll was at zero, and the school remained open until the end of the term.
Tokoroa East School lost over 40 students to families that had to move for employment. This number gradually decreased over-time.
The Education Review Office reports of this time discuss possible issues, and the need to up-skill staff through Professional Development, as the achievement of the school was not the great. This saw the beginning of a difficult time for Tokoroa East School. Sadly, this was known throughout the town, and more students left the school leaving a very small roll of just under 80 students in 2005.
In 2007 & 2008, speculation about the closure of the school began with several groups rallying together to fight the possible closure. This did not stop people from leaving the school, one reason being the ongoing decline in available jobs in Tokoroa.
By 2009, the school had 30 students and ran three classes. One Samoan, One Cook Island and One Mainstream. The school had a staff of four, three teaching staff and a Principal. With many empty classes, most of the school's prefabricated classrooms had been removed, with only permanent buildings remaining.
By the end of 2009, the school had 5 students who were enrolled for 2010, with a closing date of the end of Term 1, 2010 being given to the school because of lack of improvement in roll numbers despite Ministry, and school efforts to improve teaching practice, and reputation around Tokoroa.
By the beginning of Term One 2010, the school roll was at zero, and the school remained open until the end of the term.
Post Tokoroa East School - Where to from here?
Tokoroa East School closed it's doors at the end of Term 1, 2010. Students from the school had all been relocated to other schools, and the Ministry of Education distributed the school's resources to the East's students in. Teachers gave lists to their Principals, who went through the school and put stickers on everything they wanted.
The School playground and resources are now found mostly in David Henry School, Strathmore School, and Tokoroa Central who took the majority of the last 80 students throughout 2008 & 2009.
Students found schools nearer to where they lived, as most of the remaining students of Tokoroa East School were living all around Tokoroa and were there for the bilingual character of the school.
The School playground and resources are now found mostly in David Henry School, Strathmore School, and Tokoroa Central who took the majority of the last 80 students throughout 2008 & 2009.
Students found schools nearer to where they lived, as most of the remaining students of Tokoroa East School were living all around Tokoroa and were there for the bilingual character of the school.