This 'kit' was prepared by the Department of Education, most likely in the early 1970s. These resource packs were made to cover topics as diverse as water safety, road safety, animals of the world, New Zealand industries and religious topics.

Each kit contained film strips which were shown, one image at a time, through the classroom's projector. There was also an audio cassette which provided narration to the film strip and a booklet which gave a transcript of the presentation as well as activity ideas for the class.

This particular kit was issued to Levin's Saint Joseph's School and featured the story of the nativity. There was a printing error on the box which reads 'The Holy Knight'- something which has since been corrected by hand.  Did the children expect to hear a story about sword fighting and archery battles instead?

The MAVtech museum has a range of these filmstrips in it's collection and are working to display more of these pieces of history. 

This classroom resource was issued by the Department of Education to Levin's Saint Joseph's School in the 1970s. It brings to life two of Aesop's fables- The Tortoise and the Hare as well as The Rat and The Lion. 

These audio visual kits were the 1970s equivalent of today's smart whiteboard and internet connection- they brought the world into the classroom. Each contained one or more filmstrips- single images (sometimes cartoons, sometimes photographs) on a long strip of 35mm film which were shown one at a time through a projector. An audio cassette tape provided background narration and music while a booklet contained a transcript and ideas for class activities.

The Department's 'Visual Production Unit' made some filmstrips themselves of local topics such as industries and New Zealand geography. However, these children's stories were bought from Weston Woods Studios, an American company based in Connecticut. Weston Woods was acquired by Scholastic in 1996.

Inscription on reverse reads: “First Day Pupils and Staff of Fairfield School 5 Feb 1963. Original in Fairfield School Album”

First day pupils and staff at Fairfield School 1963.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Inscription on reverse reads: “Taitoko School. The Rt Rev Manu Bennett Bishop of Aotearoa with Mr J Goodwin (Head Teacher) and Mrs Bennett at the official opening of school in Dec 1969.

Mr John Goodwin is presented with a plaque to mark the opening of Taitoko School by The Rt Rev Manu Bennett, Bishop of Aotearoa in 1969, while Mrs Bennett looks on.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Inscription on reverse reads: “Helen Simpson with Mr J Corry cutting the ribbon at the opening of North School 1954”

Helen Simpson cuts the ribbon held by Mr Corry to open Levin North School in 1954. An unidentified man stands to the right of the photograph.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Inscription on reverse reads: “Mr Blair Tennant M P officially opened Fairfield School 6th April 1963 with two youngest pupils Vivienne Jenkins & Bruce Jongste.”

Mr Blair Tennant officially opens Fairfield School with the two youngest pupils Vivienne Jenkins and Bruce Jongste.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Inscription on reverse reads: “Staff North School 1st Year 1954. Back Row D T Gardner (Head), W O’Donnell, J Norton, R J Rankin Seated Misses E Hooper, N O’Neill, J Robson, H Mowatt, F Wiloughby

Staff at Levin North School in 1954, the year the school opened. From left to right in the Back Row – D T Gardner (Head), W O’Donnell, J Norton, R J Rankin. In the Front Row – E Hooper, N O’Neill, J Robson, H Mowatt, F Willoughby

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”