Bay of Plenty historian Cherie Mortensen may not have used a time machine but she has stepped back in time.

One hundred years to be precise, it's all part of her effort to compile the centennial commemorative book for the history of the Otamarakau School.

School children at Otamarakau school in 2016.

Otamarakau School has reached 100 years of educating its community – and with celebrations planned, Cherie has delved into the century-long history of the small rural school.

'It's taken me over a year but I've enjoyed it. I've enjoyed speaking with other people about their reminiscences, recollections and the history they have with the school,” says Cherie, who has a fourth generation of her family attending the classroom.

The book is dedicated to the school, which is referred to as: 'Our grand old lady who has continued to give quality education to all those who have been under her spell”.

Otamarakau School first opened in 1916, when Miss Hester Sadler had a class of nine pupils. During the years, the number of pupils has fluctuated.

'It's [due to] an amalgamation of farms. Many have gone into forestry. I think people are more transient these days,” says Cherie. Today the school has 56 children but has had rolls number more than 100 in the past.

Originally, the old school was located on a farm, but then shifted to a new site on Old Coach Rd in 1941. This new site was sold to the Department of Education by local farmer Valentine Martin – and according to Cherie, the Martin family still attend the school reunions.

Cherie says one of the prominent families of the area, the Todd Family which originally settled there in 1919, still has two links to the school. Descendants Sam and Ella Blennerhassett are the fourth generation in their family to attend Otamarakau School; and Cherie's grandchildren, Evan and Connor, will also be a fourth generation to hang their coats in the classroom.

Cherie, while in her twenties, taught at the school for two years from 1975. Herself and Anne Galpin (nee Porter), were new teachers and flatted together on Otamarakau Valley Rd.

The ‘new' school opened in 1941, this is as it stands in 2016.

Myra Hataraka taught at Otamarakau School for 30 years from 1959. Cherie admits both Anne and herself were initially felt intimidated by Myra.

'We were rather put out by her because she was this gruff person that didn't have time for us newbies.

'I had 26 pupils in my class and Myra would often take some children from me to ease the load – but she took the best ones.” she jokes.

'She ruled with an iron hand but taught the children really well. She ended up being really lovely and we were pleased we got to teach with her.

Cherie also worked alongside Bill Foley, who was 'a gentle giant type of a man”. From 1969 Bill served 13 years as principal – the longest standing in the school's history.

Cherie believes the community within the school hasn't changed during the time she's been associated with it, because of the size of the school is 'like a family”. Last year, current teacher and past principal Robyn Rosie was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen's Birthday honours for her 50-year contribution to education, sport, health and welfare.

The school has undergone some changes during the years. In 1966 a new classroom block was built to alleviate a growing roll, before then classes were held in the local hall. In 2001, a new library building was opened along with another classroom and hall being built in 2005.

Cherie is part of Otamarakau's centennial committee, which has worked hard to organise the celebrations happening this Queen's Birthday weekend. They hope to bring those who have connections or memories of the school together.

The centennial celebrations begin Friday, June 3, with a meet and greet where the community are encouraged to share any stories they have of the school. The weekend is set to be a blast from the past with photographs and speeches reflecting on the last 100 years.

For more information on the weekend's events and to register, click here.