Wanganui Collegiate School welcomed new students and their families to the start of the year with a powhiri and afternoon tea.
The ceremony, held on January 29 was also a welcome for new headmaster Wayne Brown, his wife Alycia and their two children.
Mr Brown is from Hobart, Tasmania although he already has strong New Zealand connections having previously taught at Palmerston North Boys' High School and King's High School in Dunedin.
He is also an elite sports coach and a previous assistant coach with the New Zealand Breakers.
Mrs Brown is from Raetihi and members of her family attended the welcome and members of her husband's family travelled from Australia for the occasion.