St Joseph's 150th celebrations a resounding success

Homily by Bishop Charles Drennan at the school's jubilee mass yesterday. Photo/Duncan Brown

St Joseph's Maori Girls' School's 150th celebrations were filled with friendship, laughter and good food.

More than 1000 people gathered at the school in Greenmeadows for the jubilee, which included a powhiri, a banquet, mass, photos and an historical exhibition.

School board and jubilee committee member Meriama Taufale said she was thrilled with the event, which had people from as far as Bahrain and China attending.

There were also 150 people from Australia ,and the rest came from all over New Zealand - as far awway as Kaitaia, Invercargill and the Chatham Islands.

"It was wonderful ... a really successful weekend all round.

"All the past pupils are happy, we're extremely happy with the event."

A big part of the weekend was guests being able to catch up with former classmates who they had lost touch with.

The aroha at the festivities was noticeable, especially among the boarders even after many years, because they lived with each other, she said.

"It's like family getting back together."

Saturday night's banquet was a great way to catch up, with many guests saying that their stomachs were sore from the beautiful kai and their faces were sore from all the laughter, Ms Taufale said.

The Maori catholic boarding school (formerly named the Providence) was one of the first schools established by the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, in 1867.