Students from Tauranga Boys' College performed a moving haka to celebrate former student Peter Burling bringing home the America's Cup.
The haka at lunchtime yesterday was videoed and sent to Burling to show the Team New Zealand helmsman their support.
Emirates Team NZ dominated the final stage of the 35th America's Cup, winning eight races to Oracle Team USA's one and giving the Kiwis a final score of 7-1.
Acting principal Ian Stuart said the school planned to invite Burling back to school when the sailor returns to NZ.
"He has been back two or three times since he came here," said Mr Stuart. "We know it is a question everybody will be asking, but I know he and his parents Heather and Richard will be keen to get Peter back to the school."
Mr Stuart said the school had been sending best wishes to Burling during the America's Cup.
"Through our newsletters and assemblies we have been keeping the boys updated with Peter's progress and posted updates of the scores on our notice board."
Mr Stuart said in 2008, Burling was Tauranga Boys' College sports captain.
Former student and Black Cap Kane Williamson was head boy in the same year.
In 2008, at the school's academic awards, Burling was awarded the prestigious Sir Bob Owens Scholarship.
"In a special moment for Peter, Mahe Drysdale, grandson of Sir Bob, presented Peter with the award in the same year as Peter and Mahe were in the NZ Olympic team in Beijing together," said Mr Stuart.
He said Burling was a fine young man.
"He was highly motivated with his studies and his passion for sailing. From 2004, when he first arrived at school, he was doing very well with his sailing.
"It was obvious this guy had a bit of talent and he has just grown."
Mr Stuart remembered Mrs Burling quoted in a newspaper article saying her son had not been at school for about 20 weeks.
"But he still achieved some really excellent results in the classroom," said Mr Stuart.
"He kept up with his school work and still could perform on a world arena. You could always see he was destined for higher honours."
Tauranga Boys' College Old Boys' coordinator Rob Leslie had been digging up information about former pupils after the big win.
"What I discovered was that two of the structural engineers on the boat were also from Tauranga Boys'.
"There are four directors of Team NZ and one of them I taught economics in 1986," he laughed. "So there are three TBC guys involved."
Mr Leslie said there was a string of former students who went on to achieve high levels in sport.
All Blacks Nathan Harris and Sam Cane, kayaker Mike Dawson and footballer Ryan Thomas were all former students.
Burling also attended Welcome Bay School where pupils were busy drawing cards for when Team NZ and Burling arrived back in Tauranga.
"We are taking it day by day," said Principal Nik House. "We sent a haka out yesterday and got lots of positive feedback on that.
He said children were now busy drawing congratulatory cards for Burling. "So when they get back to the country we can give them to him.
"But we know he will be a very wanted man and we are all very proud."
Mr House said he watched the match on Prime and many children had woken early to see Team NZ take home the cup.
"There were lots of children coming through the gate saying, 'Yay we won Mr House, we won'.
"I think the haka was a good way to engage the children."
Mr House said he had enjoyed every moment of the cup. "It is exciting for our country and what it means for us."
He met Burling when the sailor first started at the school a few years ago. He was proud to watch Burling's public growth over the years.
"He is a very well-measured and mature man. He does his family very very proud in the way he represents our country."
He said Burling was a very humble and focused man.
"What I like about him is hearing his story. it is a good example of having a vision and achieving that vision."