Clara Goldsworthy

Biography contributed by Bernadette Siebert.

Clara Garrick Goldsworthy born in 1876 in Thames, one of 11 children of John and Marion Goldsworthy.

Her father was “prominently involved with mining activities in the Thames district. In early days they witnessed stirring events in connection with the Maori War and the opening of the Thames goldfields”.

Clara didn't marry, and became a teacher. She started school at the Waiotahi Creek School in 1880. She passed her first year Pupil Teacher Exam in 1892 in Te Aroha aged 12, and became an assistant teacher there in 1895.

She was active in the community: At the Mullet Point Band of Hope, she entertained with a song. In 1896 at the Band of Hope meeting at Kuaotunu, Coromandel, “A presentation was made to Miss Goldsworthy from the members of the Band of Hope and Sunday school, of a desk and two volumes of Scott's works... said that he was sure, everyone was extremely sorry Miss Goldsworthy was going to leave them, and that she would be greatly missed”.

In 1897 Clara was promoted after visit from the Inspectors to watch her class and in 1899 she moved to Richmond Road School. The Board of Education transferred teachers, often with not much input from the teachers and some recommendations to the local school committees. In 1900 “the Te Aroha Goldfield School opened yesterday, after the Xmas and New Year holidays. An alteration has been made in the teaching staff, Miss Goldsworthy has been transferred to Napier-street, Auckland.”

Clara continued to be moved around. In 1901 the Ellerslie School Committee offered no objection to the appointment of Miss Goldsworthy as assistant teacher. In 1906 she went to Hamilton East School and in 1907 to Hamilton West School. In 1910 Clara she was appointed sixth assistant at Nelson Street School. The selection committee “understood Miss Goldsworthy was a very good teacher, and well qualified to fill the position.”

As her seniority increased, Clara wasn’t transferred as much. In 1927 Newmarket School the principal’s speech alluded to the departure of Miss Goldsworthy, after 12 years' service at the school. At the age of 57 she became involved in a new social service in Auckland called the After-Care Department of the Community Sunshine Association. Its goal was "to deal with the boys and girls who are unable to help themselves because they are of a too-simple mentality.” The head was assisted by Miss Goldsworthy, recently infant mistress at Ellerslie.

Clara died 28 Aug 1958 in her 83rd year and is buried at Waikumete Cemetery with her parents.

In her will, Clara left her house in Milford to her nephew John Frederick Goldsworthy, £50 each to several children’s charities, then the rest to be sold and divided amongst numerous nieces and nephews and their children. The estate was valued at £14,000.

Sources

Find a Grave

Ancestry

Papers Past

• "Pupil Teachers' Examination", Thames Star, 27 July 1892
• "Country News", New Zealand Herald, 25 May 1894
• "Country News", New Zealand Herald, 8 June 1896
• "Board of Education", New Zealand Herald, 15 June 1899
• "Local and General", Te Aroha News, 6 February 1900
• "Entertainments and Meetings", New Zealand Herald, 6 March 1901
• "Board of Education", Waikato Argus, 23 January 1907
• "Meetings", Auckland Star, 10 August 1910
• "The Social Sphere", Observer, 10 December 1910
• "The Social Sphere", Observer, 4 November 1911
• "Old Colonist's Death", New Zealand Herald, 14 November 1918
• "Headmaster Farewelled", New Zealand Herald, 20 December 1927
• "Sub-Normal Children", Auckland Star, 28 June 1933