Happy memories recalled

When Tauranga Intermediate opened for business in February 1958 the school was not finished and chaos quickly ensued. It was a fun and exciting time though for those at the forefront of creating a new school and memories 50 years on are mixed with laughter.
John Wightman, 83, was deputy principal at Tauranga Intermediate from 1958 to 1977, and still remembers standing on six bags of cement at his first school assembly in order to see his students in the half-completed hall.
The grounds outside couldn't be used until term two because the grass had been sown too late and there was no school uniform until a PTA had been formed and decisions made. Tauranga Intermediate celebrates its 50th reunion on Friday and Saturday. During the first week at school, Mr Wightman had his students prepare a time capsule to be placed under the verandah at the front of the assembly hall.
"We had discussed the possibility that it might be 100 years before it next saw the light of day ... how long the capsule may survive is a moot point but we did our best," he said.
Mr Wightman said his mind boggled at the size of Tauranga Intermediate now.
"You need to get on a motorbike to get around your own school," he said.
The school, on 18th Avenue, began with less than 500 pupils and today has more than 1180. It was formed to accommodate the growing number of children at Tauranga primary schools.
Former teacher Peter Densem, 91, (1958-63) said: ``Classes were bursting at the seams ... this is why we had to go into [the intermediate buildings] before the school was finished. It was a real adventure for us all.'
The school was built on an old abattoir site and Mr Densem said in the hot month of February, with the grass still settling, the smell could sometimes get to you.
Teachers taught classes of about 40 students and by the early 1960s this had dropped to 35 or 38.
Many of the teachers came from out of town to Tauranga's newest school, including Owen Lattimore, 83, who arrived from South Otago, spent the night at the Manor Hotel in 2nd Ave and started school the next day.
He remembers how bare the grounds were and as a result, the school transplanted an avenue of trees down the driveway _ which stand there today.
Shirley Wakelin, 83, was Tauranga Intermediate's first clerical assistant from 1958 to 1962, and fondly remembers using a gestetner (duplicating machine) and manual typewriter.
Another memory was water coming within a couple of inches of classroom door-sills, in the first year, when torrential rain hit. This was thanks to the buildings being below the level of the playing fields.
The first principal Edward Perry was also remembered, along with annual exchange visits with Rotorua Intermediate and no books in the library when the school first opened.
The school's 50th reunion also coincides with the 30th anniversary of their own outdoor education centre, Ngamuwahine Outdoor Camp, which is situated in the lower Kaimais. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit the camp on Saturday.
Registrations for the reunion are being taken up until 3pm on Friday. Ph 578-4401.