Kate Baldwin was a highly respected headmistress of the girls’ department of Gloucester Street (now Christchurch East) School, a position she held from 1898.
She was born in Hampshire, England, and educated at Brookside after arriving in Canterbury with her parents. Her mother was Mary Ann nee Oliver and her father was John Baldwin (1840-1909), the third headmaster of Sydenham School. Before her appointment as headmistress of Christchurch East she had been the first assistant mistress at the Normal School, and a pupil teacher at St Albans. She was also a member of the New Zealand Educational Institute, and the St John's Ambulance Association.
A vigorous woman, an exceptionally able teacher
A woman full of bodily and mental vigour1, she was regarded an exceptionally able and intelligent teacher, who exerted a
powerful and far-reaching influence over her pupils2. She was, said S.C. Owen, Headmaster at East Christchurch School,
probably the finest woman teacher in Canterbury3.
Miss Baldwin played a large role in organising the Home Industries Court, in the 1906 New Zealand International Exhibition but on the opening day of the Exhibition, she caught a chill and shortly afterwards became seriously ill. She died on 16 July 1907, her health having been in decline for several months.
A mark of respect for her too early death
Such was the respect in which she was held that Christchurch schools flew their flags at half-mast, and Christchurch East pupils were sent home for half a day. The Press mourned the loss of a staunch comrade, a genial companion, a wise and womanly friend … a loving, just and considerate mistress whose too early death has caused … heartfelt grief4. Kate Baldwin is buried in Sydenham Cemetery, along with her parents and other family members.
Footnotes
- ↑ Sydenham Cemetery guide, p.55
- ↑ Sydenham Cemetery guide, p.55
- ↑ Sydenham Cemetery guide, p.55
- ↑ Sydenham Cemetery guide, p.55
Sources
- Christchurch City Council Cemeteries Database
- The cyclopedia of New Zealand : industrial, descriptive, historical, biographical facts, figures, illustrations, vol. 3, pt. 1. p 176
- Sydenham Cemetery Tour guide entry for Baldwin
- Obituary, Lyttelton Times, 17 July 1905, page 3
- Kate Baldwin in the Macdonald Dictionary of Canterbury Biography