Hundreds flock to school jubilee

CELEBRATIONS: Jubilee committee chairman Colin Shanley, jubilee committee member Ian Holford, principal Paul Bremer and former principal Dougal French celebrate Havelock North Primary School's 150th jubilee, with former pupils and staff last night. PHOTO/GLENN TAYLOR HBT134201-01

Former Havelock North Primary School students and staff gathered on Friday night in the village to celebrate the school's 150-year jubilee and reminisce on their school days.

Jubilee committee chairman Colin Shanley said the "meet and greet" cocktail party, which was attended by more than 300 people at the Havelock North Function Centre, was a great opportunity for past students and staff to relive their school years.

"I was a student of the school in the early 50s and it is great for ex-students and staff, as well as friends of the school, to come together and see some old, familiar faces."

It was opened in 1863 as a private boarding and day school, and a new school was built on Te Mata Rd in 1878.

Mr Shanley said last night's party would be the weekend's main function: "Most who have registered come to the party, while upward of 150 people are expected to attend the dinner."

Principal Paul Bremer said last night was a great start to the celebrations and he looked forward to today's festivities.

"The cake cutting will be fantastic. Carol Leedon, a 98-year-old, who was a student here in the 1920s and the eldest pupil, will cut the cake with Zoe Driscoll, who is the youngest student after she just turned 5."

Mr Shanley said today's events, starting with the jubilee cake at 10am, would be followed by ex-pupil Alexandra Hazlehurst's speech on her school days, while kapa haka groups would perform.

Decade photos would be taken and the classrooms would be open, with guests encouraged to have a look at the displays created for the celebration.

"All the work that has gone into this weekend, by the committee, the number of volunteers and the efforts of the school have been well worth it, and it is going to be a great weekend, everyone is looking forward to all the celebrations," said Mr Shanley.

Tomorrow, an interdenominational service and plaque unveiling will be held as the last event of the jubilee weekend celebrations.

The service will be held at the Function Centre, and the school choir, as well as a special jubilee choir, will give performances.

The jubilee choir will be led by director Roger Stevenson and accompanist Margaret Cooper.