Part 1: Building the School
Ashburton Netherby School has a relatively short history compared to other schools. It was built as an overflow school for both Hampstead and Ashburton Borough Schools, which had become overcrowded due to Ashburton's growing population.
The official opening date of the school was 29 September 1959, although there is a photograph from 7 September 1959, showing the first students to enrol. At the time of its construction, Ashburton Netherby School was the first school to be built in Ashburton in 50 years.
Some starting students on 7th September 1959
Mr. Small was appointed the first principal to Ashburton Netherby School, and at the time was the longest serving principal in Ashburton.
The school as it was in 1960 / 1961 with all eight classrooms built.
You can see the four newly-built classrooms after the 1959 original build by the roof colour change.
The school was built by Fletcher Construction Company in the typical linear design with red brick veneer classrooms arranged in a row with the office and staff room situated at one end. Initially, the school had four classrooms with another four added before 1962. During the 1960s and 70s, three prefabs were aligned north from the back tennis court to accommodate the growing school roll.
The school buildings were also accompanied by the well-known dental clinic and a couple of tennis courts. The school pool was built very early on and officially opened on 25 February 1960.
May 1962: Aerial photograph showing Ashburton Netherby School and fields on Brucefield Avenue, Ashburton, surrounded by suburbs.
Photo: Whites Aviation.