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Oamaru - Waitaki Boys' High School

City: Oamaru is a city on South Island. The word Oamaru drives from a Maori word that means“place of Maru”. The question of who is or was Maru, has never been answered. Oamaru is the largest city of Waitaki-district. It has a population of approximately 20,700 inhabitants (in 2009).

Building: The Waitaki High school is of special interest with regard to the divine name- the divine name has been incorporated in the crest of the school. The school was founded in 1883. One of the founding members of the school was Samuel Edward Shrimski (1830-1902), who besides being a delegate for the House of Representatives and mayor of Oamaru was also a prominent member of several educational and philanthropic societies. Mr. Shrimski was also a Hebrew scolar. It was his wish that each student at the school would learn to know the Bible. On the third foundation meeting the school's motto “Quanti est sapere” – “how valuable is wisdom” was considered. The design contained an open book above which a rising sun is visible. Mr. Shrimski was responsible for adding the Hebrew text: “Jehovah, the fountain of wisdom”.

Object: Band of images 1: the school and the crest at the entrance. It is striking that after the renovation of the school, twenty years ago, the Hebrew words were exchanged so that "Wisdom" came to be placed inside the sun instead of God’s name. In the Hebrew, from right to left, in reality it now says, "Wisdom, Jehovah the source of.” Band of images 2: the school is known for its historic buildings, such as the Hall or Memories which was built in honour of the men who died in the First World War. Above the entrance door God's name is written within a bright sun. Below it is written: "QUANTI EST SAPERE"-"HOW VALUABLE IS WISDOM". Band of images 3: over another door and, once again, another door, the door of the Office of the Rector. Photo 3: the school crest is also placed on the glassware of the doors. Photo 4 is the same picture - but in mirror image. Band of images 4: school bus Band of images 5: School uniform and sport wear.. As a note, there are other places that the Tetragrammaton be seen, for example on the carpet in the foyer and above the list of those who were killed in the First World War, situated in the Hall of Memories.

 

Band of images

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