A fifth generation of the family has now started at the small school, continuing a presence which traces back to 1880.
The Crawford family settled in the Waikoikoi region on a farm in 1878 — George Crawford enrolled in the newly opened Waikoikoi school two years later.
Now, 145 years later, Sylvie Crawford, 5, has followed in his footsteps and became the fifth generation of the family to attend the school.
Her grandfather, Eon Crawford, said although he personally did not like it when he was young, he had a sense of loyalty towards the school, and loved seeing his granddaughter thrive.
"We’ve always supported it; they’ve been great to us.
"It’s just a very important part of the community, brings families together, a place for them to meet.
"[Sylvie] likes it a lot more than her granddad — she couldn’t wait to go to school" he said.
At a time when smaller rural schools are becoming a precious commodity, Waikoikoi remains, with a roll of nine pupils and four staff.
The school community helps raise funds primarily through a golf fundraiser, which has been circled on the calendar in the region since its inception 30 years ago.
After leaving the school, pupils will often go to Blue Mountain College just up the road.
This is a change from when Mr Crawford was younger, when bus routes were scarcer, leading to him boarding at Gore High School — now Māruawai.
Principal Jacqui Dillon said she was extremely happy to have Sylvie at school, which showed how entrenched families were in the school, and vice versa.
"It’s absolutely incredible. Families like the Crawfords, they chose us. The thing about Waikoikoi, it’s just so well supported by the community.
"I think this school is just the heart of the community, it’s just very special," she said.
