A large brass bell, which has rung time at Tihiraki North Loburn School for more than 25 years, has been stolen.
It was padlocked to a two metre pole at the back of the school beside the garden and play areas, but when it came time for a student to ring it last Thursday, it was gone.
The theft of the bell, which was donated in 1996 by the Metherell family, who have had a long association with the wee school, has left the pupils, teachers and school community devastated.
Daily they are reminded of its absence by having to let students know when it is time for a break, or time to return to class, as the school has had no need for an electronic alarm bell.
Instead every child has had an opportunity to be selected to ring the bell, teaching them time management.
School office administrator Jenny McClintock says it is always a very emotional moment.
The Metherell connection to the school and the farming district in North Loburn, dates back to World War II when Alison Metherell arrived in the district from Christchurch to take up a teaching position at the school.
She met and married Alan Metherell, when he returned home to the family farm following his war service.
The family donated the bell after the first bell at the school was stolen. It was from a ship wreck in the Chatham Islands.
It stood at the front of the school, but was stolen over the 1995›1996 Christmas break, and was duly replaced by the bell gifted by the Metherell family.
Ms McClintock said there had been a meeting there that went late on Wednesday night. The bell was still there when they left, but gone Thursday morning. It could not be seen from the road.
Year 4 student, Poppy Dowdall says they all miss the bell.
‘‘It was very loud and after school kids often rang the bell for fun.’’
