Pukemiro School farewelled with prayer, songs and schoolyard tales
But the proceeding decades saw the school’s roll decline. By term one this year its roll had dropped to four students. By term two, only one student remained. Education Ministry director of education Marcus Freke acknowledged the school and wider community’s past links to mining. CHRISTEL YARDLEY/STUFF There is only one pupil left at Pukemiro School. (Video from May 2021). “Sadly, times have changed and our communities have moved on and looked to other places for work now,” Freke told the 200-strong gathering. “I sense and acknowledge a real sadness with the closing of Pukemi...