From Ulm, Württemberg, Germany to Christchurch, New Zealand. First visit? Start at the bottom or here: http://maier-ulm.blogspot.com/2008/08/hermann-maier-introduction.html

Lohse-Bowen School 1879-1909

Miss Johanna Lohse established a private day and boarding school ‘for the higher education of gentlemen’s daughters’ in 1879 and began teaching in the fall (March/April in New Zealand) of 1880.

Mrs. Annette Bowen took over the school in 1890 after her husband, Mr. Croasdaile Bowen B.D., Archdeacon of Christchurch, died and she had to find alternative means to support her family. She ran the school until 1909 and it eventually became St. Margaret’s.

The school was first located in Riccarton and later in the central city on Armagh Street. It had four classrooms and an average of 90 students - from the first years after kindergarten to matriculation (university entrance) - including Mrs. Bowen’s own.

“The great aim of the school is to assist girls prepare themselves for home life in the future by self-discipline and by the cultivation of sensible interests which can be pursued in after life…” From: Upper Riccarton Cemetery 2007 p.14-16.

‘Mr Lund and Miss Violet Ward were a great strength to me in the early days, the former, I rejoice to say is still teaching in the school…’ From the Lohse-Bowen School Newsletters (No 1: 24.05.1902) held at the Anglican Church Archives in Christchurch until 2007

These newsletters, as well as the full register of pupils completed in 1905, also show HM Lund’s children attended the school:
  • No 1: 24.05.1902: Prize List 1901: M. Lund – arithmetic
  • No. 3 24.05.1904: Visiting teacher: Mr. Lund and Mrs. Simms (pupil of Mr. Lund); Prize List 1903: Margaret Lund – Drawing
  • No. 4 24.05.1905: Visiting teacher: Mr. Lund; Girls who have come: Kitty Lund
  • No. 5 24 May 1906: Visiting teachers: Mr. Lund; Prize List 1905: Kitty Lund – English, French and Old Girls’ Prize
  • No. 6 August 1907: Visiting teachers: Mr. Lund; Prize List 1907: Kitty Lund – Class Prize; Girls who have left: M. Lund
  • No. 7 Bowen School Magazine 23/05/1908 265 Armagh Street: Visitng staff: Mr. Lund
  • No. 8 24/05/1909: Visiting staff: Music – Mr. Lund [and others]; Prize List: Kitty Lund – Class prize
Elsie's attendance was listed in the Register but no dates attributed.
Dorothy, the youngest daughter, attended Cashmere school followed by Girls High.

Pupils taught by H.M. Lund included:
Muriel Cocks; Ida Cowlishaw; Misses Craig, Follie, Goodson, Gresson, Harris, Malet, and Maunsell; Elsie Ross; Ruth Studholme; Miss Townend and Rosa Townend; Misses Walker and Wilson (x2).
Taranaki Herald article on Lohse's book on the Education of Girls, 1885
Lohse-Bowen School archives are now held at St. Margaret's College

About Me

Researching the family history of Hermann Maier b. 1847 Ulm