More Info →David Clarence Pryor, Headmaster of Central Normal School

This photograph is of David Clarence Pryor (OBE), Headmaster of Central Normal School from 1944-1959. He was also a Palmerston North City Councillor (1950-1956). Central School was built in 1922 in Featherston Street to replace Campbell Street School. The second storey of this building was removed in 1931 after the Napier earthquake raised doubts as to the structural soundness of the building. The modified building remained in use until 1974, when it was demolished. There were four main incarnations of Central School - The Original School (corner of Main and Princess Streets, 1872-1890), Campbell Street School (1890-1922), Central School (Featherston Street, built 1922), Central Normal School (became a practice school for teachers college students in 1956).