King Edward Technical College facts for kids
King Edward Technical College was once a well-known school and technical college in Dunedin, New Zealand. It started in 1889 as the Dunedin Technical School. The Caledonian Society helped set up evening classes for people to learn new skills.
Contents
A Look Back: The College's Journey
Early Days and New Skills
The school first opened on Great King Street. It taught many useful subjects like carpentry (working with wood), chemistry, and cookery. Students could also learn domestic economy (home management), typewriting, and woodcarving. By 1895, even more courses were added, such as dressmaking, navigation (how to steer a ship), and plumbing.
Moving and a Royal Name
In 1897, the school moved to Moray Place. It stayed there until 1914. Then, a brand new building opened on Upper Stuart Street. In 1921, the Dunedin School of Art joined the technical school. This was when the school changed its name to honour King Edward VII, who had passed away. The very first principal (head teacher) of the college was Angus Marshall.
Growing Big and Splitting Up
By 1955, King Edward Technical College was the largest school in New Zealand! It had 2,500 students, with half of them attending day classes. The college offered many different programs. It included a day school, the Dunedin Technical High School, the Dunedin School of Art, a Senior School of Commerce, and an Evening School.
In 1966, the part of the college that taught older students (called the tertiary arm) officially became Otago Polytechnic. This polytechnic later moved to a new site near the University of Otago. Then, in 1974, the high school part of the college moved to a new location too. It was renamed Logan Park High School.
The Old College Building Today
The impressive old King Edward Technical College buildings, now known as King Edward Court, are still standing on Stuart Street. They are used for many different things today. The main building was designed by Harry Mandeno. It is considered a very important historical building by Heritage New Zealand.
Did you know that the Dunedin association football (soccer) team, Dunedin Technical, was started by former students of this college? They were originally called King Edward Technical College Old Boys!
