Thames School of Mines facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thames School of Mines |
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| Address | |
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101 Cochrane St
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| Coordinates | 37°08′06″S 175°32′15″E / 37.1349°S 175.5376°E |
| Information | |
| Opened | 1886 |
| Closed | 1954 |
| Language | English |
The Thames School of Mines was a special school in Thames, New Zealand, where people learned about mining. It's a very important old building in New Zealand, recognized as a top historic place by Heritage New Zealand.
Contents
What Students Learned at the School of Mines
The Thames School of Mines taught many subjects, mostly about mining. Students learned about math, how machines work in mines, and how to test rocks for valuable metals (this is called assaying). They also learned about keeping mines safe with good air (ventilation) and how to use explosives safely.
The school helped students get special government certificates. These certificates allowed them to become Mine Managers, Battery Superintendents (who ran machines that processed ore), Engine Drivers, or Licensed Assayers. The school also showed off cool collections of rocks and minerals. They even did experiments to find better ways to get gold out of the ground!
The School Buildings and History
The school buildings are on a special piece of land called an urupa, which is a resting place or burial ground. This land is very important to the local Māori people, especially Ngāti Maru Paraone and Te Huiraukura, who originally gave the land for religious purposes.
Even though Ngāti Maru didn't want a regular primary school there, the land was later used for the School of Mines, which opened in 1886. Other buildings were also built nearby, like a church and a Sunday School in 1869. A mineralogical museum, which displays rocks and minerals, opened in 1901.
After the School Closed
The Thames School of Mines closed its doors in 1954. In 1979, the New Zealand Historic Places Trust took over the buildings to protect them because they are so important to history. It's one of only two old mining school complexes left in New Zealand from the 1800s.
Today, no universities in New Zealand offer a mining degree. In 2012, more than 700 people signed a petition at the site to help save the Kopu Bridge. There were also reports that the school site had been broken into and damaged.
Famous People Who Studied Here
Some notable people who attended the Thames School of Mines include:
- Charles Arthur Banks, who became the 17th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia (a leader in Canada) from 1946 to 1950.
- Bob Heffron, who was the 30th Premier of New South Wales (a leader in Australia) from 1959 to 1964.
- John Alexander Agnew, who became the Chairman of a big mining company called Consolidated Gold Fields.
See also
- Reefton School of Mines
- Coromandel Gold Rushes
