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St Stephen’s School Admissions Register – 1905 – 1928

The John Kinder Theological Library Archive cares for the surviving records of St Stephen’s School.

St Stephen’s was an Anglican Māori boarding school for boys. Initially located in Parnell and then in Bombay, Auckland, the school was one of the oldest and longest-running schools in New Zealand when it closed in 2000. Sadly, the school records do not reflect its long history as there was a devastating fire on 20 April 1904 which destroyed a classroom and all the maps, books, and files stored there. The classroom was eventually rebuilt but the historic school records were irreplaceable.

The St Stephen’s Register online

The earliest surviving records start from 1905, including various school admission registers. The register of applications for admission to St Stephen’s School 1905-1928 [Archives reference:  SSQ-2-15-1] has been fully transcribed and published online in Pūtake. Researchers can search for boys who applied to attend the school and find out information such as their age, where they lived and when they started school. The level of detail recorded in the register varies. From about 1914 only the date of application and the names of the boys applying were recorded and it’s not always clear whether the boys were admitted to the school. Even so, it’s still a valuable record for people researching their family history.

Albert Wilson, Principal of St Stephen’s School

Albert Wilson (below left) was the principal of St Stephen’s School from 15 February 1905 until 1927. He would have been responsible for recording the applications in this register and corresponding with the parents or guardians who wished to enrol their boys at the school.

Besides, the school admission registers, Albert Wilson’s outward letter books are also held in the Archives. A glance through the indexes of these books reveals insights into life at the school.

For instance, in 1905 Albert Wilson introduced a school uniform as he thought this would give the boys a sense of belonging and pride in the school. The basic school outfit consisted of two good suits, one old suit for working in, a cloth cap, a straw hat, two pairs of boots or shoes, three shirts, four handkerchiefs and three pairs of socks or stockings. With only three shirts and three pairs of socks, so regular washing would have been essential. In the 1920s washing clothes was labour-intensive and took all day, so it was usually only done once a week. St Stephen’s boys are pictured here (below, right) on wash day hanging out the washing.

Insights into school life and pupils

The letter books and school admission registers provide other insights, such as the number of different nationalities that make up the school roll.

In this admission register you can see an increasing number of students from the Pacific Islands applying to attend the school, this was probably due to several factors such as wanting to improve their English and parents wanting the best possible education for their sons. Due to the nature of the handwriting in the original applications register, it can be hard to read and, in some cases, errors in interpreting the names and correct spellings may have been made.

You can view the transcribed register for St Stephen’s School on Pūtake.

6 thoughts on “St Stephen’s School Admissions Register – 1905 – 1928”

  1. Such a shame this is the earliest records from this school which dates back to about 1851 when my ancestor is believed to have attended the St Stephens School for native girls in Parnell. I believe there was a fire which destroyed these records in 1904.

    1. I’m searching for ETI EVES aka Edward Eti Eves attend Sg Stephen’s boys school 1921 to 1923 or 1924 was a prefect..
      Tepapa or Teaute St Stephen’s

  2. Albert Te Oata Mcilroy

    I’m an old boy who attended St Stephens School from 1975-1979. I wasn’t aware that my koro (Walter Savage) was also a pupil. I remember bumping into koro in the bus stop in Whakatane. He was waiting to catch the bus back to Waiohau, I was heading back to school after the school holidays. I said hello to koro and we went back and forward talking. But during the conversation he made a comment about my tie being a lot bigger then the ones they had. It didn’t registered to me until years I found out that he had gone to St Stephens.

  3. My mother Rangitamoana née Wetere Paki deceased April 2011 at the age of 85, shared stories of her parents, who raised ten children on a dairy milk farm in Auroa Rd & Taikatu Rd in Otakeho, Taranaki. My mother was the youngest daughter. Her father Patrick Te Ngohi Wetere (Paki) attended St Stephens school near the Bombays before Auckland. He was raised in Huntly with his parents & whanau. There was a big fire at the school back then with all records were destroyed which was very sad, my mum added her father learnt horticulture at St Stephens boys school. Few years after Patrick met & married young Miria née Rameka, with help from Patrick siblings who travelled down from Huntly & Miria whanau from Taranaki the acreage land was cleared in preparation for horticulture & dairy milk farming. This is one beautiful story my mother shared to me long ago and it is a blessing to share this story of love from my whanau to you.

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