在海風中成長的百年古蹟學校—清水國小
清水國小，這所位於台中清水區的百年學校，不只是地方的地標，更是一代又一代孩子成長的起點。Qingshui Elementary School, located in Qingshui District, Taichung, is not only a local landmark but also a starting point for generations of children’s growth.
清水國小創校於1897年，是中部地區少見的百年學校之一。
它的前身是日治時期設立的公學校，經歷無數次教育改革與社會變遷，卻始終屹立不搖。
Founded in 1897, Qingshui Elementary is one of the few century-old schools in central Taiwan. Originally established as a public school during the Japanese colonial period, it has endured numerous educational reforms and social changes, yet remains steadfast through time.
清水國小擁有全台最完整的磚造平房，目前仍做為學生上課使用，其最顯著的特色是其古蹟校園和豐富的歷史文化底蘊。作為全台唯一一所「古蹟小學」，清水國小保留了許多日治時期的建築，多棟建築超過百年歷史，包括U字型三合院、紅磚U型穿堂、舊講堂、老鐘樓等…
The school is home to Taiwan’s most well-preserved brick bungalows, which are still actively used as classrooms. Its most distinctive feature is its status as a historic monument, rich in cultural and historical value. As the only “monumental elementary school” in Taiwan, it has preserved many Japanese-era buildings — including a U- shaped courtyard, red brick corridors, the old auditorium, and an ancient bell tower — with several structures over 100 years old.
不只是老師，學生也對清水國小充滿感情。
「每天早上進校門，都會聞到海風的味道，我覺得我們學校很自由，也很有溫度」訪問中，我們感受到學生們的真心與熱愛，也看到這所學校所散發的力量。
Teachers and students alike hold deep affection for the school.
“Every morning when I enter the school gate, I can smell the sea breeze. I feel our school is very free and full of warmth,” a student shared.
During our visit, we could truly feel the students’ genuine love and pride, reflecting the powerful spirit that emanates from the school.
這次，我們有幸專訪到在清水國小深耕教學二十三年的志榮主任。他不僅是孩子們口中的好老師，更是同仁眼中值得信賴的夥伴。讓我們一起走進他的故事，聽聽他對教育的熱忱與堅持。
主任表示：「清水國小創立於1897年，然而在1935年關刀山大地震中，才剛落成不久的校舍便遭到摧毀。」
災後重建時，學校選用了大肚山上的紅土所燒製而成的紅磚，不僅質地堅固，視覺上也十分有特色。
「到現在這些紅磚還保留著。黃昏時分，夕陽照下來，那倒影真的很漂亮。」
We were honored to interview Director Zhi-Rong, who has dedicated 23 years to teaching at Qingshui Elementary. Known affectionately as a great teacher by students and a trustworthy colleague by staff, he shared with us his passion and unwavering commitment to education.
The school was founded in 1897, but shortly after new buildings were completed, they were destroyed in the 1935 Guandao Mountain earthquake,” he said. During reconstruction, red bricks made from the red clay of Dadu Mountain were used, known for their durability and unique appearance.
“These red bricks are still here. At dusk, when the sunset hits them, the reflection is really beautiful.”
而歷史的挑戰並不僅止於此。1999年，台灣發生了震驚全國的921大地震，清水國小的禮堂也遭到嚴重毀損。
「當時的校長很堅持，決定保留古蹟、重新修建。」主任說。
如今的禮堂，不僅承載著當年記憶，更是全清水最大的室內場地，許多表演活動都會選擇在此舉行。
「我們校舍後來進行大規模整修，全面採用鋼柱支撐結構，但因為學生還在上課，只能一半施工、一半使用，工程整整做了兩三年。」
這些年來，清水國小走過災難與重建的歷程，每一塊磚、每一棟樓，都是歷史的痕跡，也是教育精神的體現。
But history brought more challenges. In 1999, the devastating 921 Earthquake severely damaged the school auditorium.
“Our principal at the time was determined to preserve the historical monument and rebuild it,” Director Zhi-Rong explained.
Today, the renovated auditorium is the largest indoor venue in the Qingshui area and hosts many major performances and events.
“Our classrooms also underwent large-scale renovation with steel column support structures. Since students were still attending classes, we had to build in phases — half for construction, half for teaching. The entire project took two to three years,” he recalled.
Over the years, Qingshui Elementary has endured disasters and reconstruction. Every brick and every building embodies traces of history and the essence of education.
日治時期某任校長川春秀德在校園中設立了一塊特別的「誠字碑」。
主任說：「校長從芝山岩帶回了一塊石頭，象徵教育的起點。」
芝山岩事件是日治時期日本教師在台灣被殺害的歷史，對日本人來說是一段沉痛的記憶，但也成為他們教育制度正式在台灣扎根的轉捩點。
這段歷史，對教育界而言意義重大。
校長將這塊石頭帶回清水國小，象徵教育的延續與堅持。
「我們學校以『誠』為本，從這塊石頭延伸出來的理念，就是希望學生能以誠待人，以誠自律。」
主任補充，這塊石碑不只是裝飾，更代表學校教育的價值核心。
During the Japanese colonial era, a principal named Kawaharuhidetoku set up a special “Cheng (Sincerity) Stone Monument” on campus.
“The principal brought this stone from Zhishan Rock, symbolizing the origin of education,” Director Zhi-Rong explained.
The Zhishan Rock incident — where Japanese teachers were killed during the early colonial period — was a painful memory for the Japanese but also marked the beginning of their formal education system in Taiwan.
Bringing this stone to Qingshui Elementary symbolized the continuation and resilience of education.
“Our school is founded on sincerity — that’s the core of our values. From this stone emerged the belief that students should treat others with sincerity and discipline themselves with sincerity,” the director added.
The stone is more than a decoration; it embodies the school’s educational philosophy.
清水國小的課表中，還安排了校本彈性課程，主題就來自「清水國小本身的歷史」。
「我們會讓導師結合學校的故事，去教導孩子這所學校的文化傳承。」
主任提到，孩子透過了解學校的歷史，不僅培養認同感，也能從中建立自信。
有些孩子在剛入學時可能有點自卑，覺得自己不夠優秀、沒什麼特別的地方。
但透過這些課程，他們發現自己就讀的是一所有歷史、有價值的學校，進而更認真面對學習與生活。
談到清水國小的孩子，主任語氣中充滿驕傲：「我們這裡的學生品德普遍很好。」
他說這和學校周圍的生活環境息息相關。學校鄰近海岸，少了城市的喧囂，多了自然的寧靜。孩子在這樣的氛圍中學習與生活，自然少了些浮躁，多了些穩定。
Qingshui Elementary’s curriculum includes a special school-based flexible course centered around the school’s own history.
“We guide teachers to incorporate the school’s stories into their lessons, helping students learn about its cultural legacy,” said the director.
Through understanding the school’s history, students develop a sense of identity and confidence. Some children who feel unsure of themselves at first begin to recognize the value of attending such a unique and historic school, and as a result, take learning and life more seriously.
Speaking of the students, Director Zhi-Rong proudly shared,
“Our students generally have very good character,” which, he said, has much to do with the school’s surrounding environment.
Situated near the coast, the school is away from the noise of the city and surrounded by nature’s tranquility.
“In this calm environment, children grow up less anxious and more grounded,” he said.
「我覺得清水的孩子很純真，對人有禮貌，遇到事情也比較不容易慌張。」他補充到這樣的品格是教不來的，是生活環境一點一滴養成的結果。
「我們現在有很多學生都是外地來的。」主任指出，從梧棲、外埔、龍井，甚至更遠的地區，都有家長願意每天接送孩子來這裡上課。
為什麼？「因為這裡的環境好、校風好。」主任說得很簡單，卻道出了最真實的理由。
即使面對少子化趨勢，清水國小的招生情況依然穩定。
「以我們目前來說，光是三年級就有十個班級，在這個年代真的不容易。」
學校的吸引力，不只來自歷史與校園環境，更來自於師長的用心與家長之間口耳相傳的好評。
“They’re polite, pure, and tend not to panic when things go wrong. These traits can’t be taught — they’re shaped by the environment itself.”
“Many of our students now come from other districts — Wuqi, Waipu, Longjing, and even farther,” he noted.
Why? “Because the environment is great, and the school has a good reputation.”
Despite Taiwan’s declining birthrate, Qingshui Elementary continues to maintain stable enrollment.
“Just in our third grade, we have ten classes. That’s quite rare nowadays.”
The school’s appeal comes not only from its historical and cultural significance but also from the dedication of its faculty and the positive word-of-mouth among parents.
清水國小，不只是台中海線的一所小學。
它是一段歷史的延續，是一群教育者對「信念」的實踐。
從關刀山地震、921災後重建，到芝山岩石碑與誠字精神，這所學校始終以堅定的腳步，走在歷史的脈絡上。
在這裡，孩子不只是被教導知識，更學會如何做人、如何愛自己所身處的土地。如同主任所說：「我們不只是守著一所老學校，而是在守一段文化、一種精神。」
Qingshui Elementary is more than just a school on the Taichung coast. It is a continuation of history and a living testament to the power of educational belief. From the Guandao Mountain earthquake and post-921 reconstruction, to the symbolic stone from Zhishan Rock and the spirit of sincerity — this school walks the path of history with steady steps. Here, children are not only taught knowledge but also learn how to be good people and how to cherish the land they live on.
As Director Zhi-Rong said, “We’re not just preserving an old school — we’re preserving a culture, a spirit.”
在這次的訪談中，我們不只認識了清水國小超過百年的歷史，也感受到校方對教育的堅持與用心。從日治時期的創校背景、經歷震災重建，到今天成為在地深耕的優質學校，每一段過程都承載著教育工作者的努力與理想。
主任提到：「我們希望孩子不只在知識上學習，更能以誠信立身。」這句話正呼應了清水國小一直以來所秉持的教育核心價值。未來，清水國小也將持續以愛與專業陪伴孩子成長，培養出一代又一代品格與能力兼具的學子。
Through this interview, we not only learned about Qingshui Elementary School’s rich history, but also deeply felt the school’s dedication to education.
From its founding in the Japanese era to its perseverance through earthquakes and its evolution into a community-rooted institution, each stage has been shaped by the hard work and ideals of devoted educators.
Director Zhi-Rong concluded:
“We hope our children don’t just learn knowledge, but learn to live with integrity.”
This sentiment echoes the core educational values Qingshui Elementary has always upheld. In the future, the school will continue to grow with love and professionalism, nurturing generations of students with both strong character and competence.
受訪者: 清水國小-童志榮主任
採訪學員：郭盈萱、王子碩、馮歆茹、李俐芳( Michelle)