In 125 years, Rotorua Primary School has transformed from a small hut to a school with a hall, gymnasium, swimming pool, classrooms and a lot of student successes.
Even though the school has a roll under 200, principal John Naera says it's just as successful as bigger schools - and this
weekend it's celebrating that at the school's 125th anniversary.
It's Rotorua's oldest school and past pupils have included Rotorua historian Don Stafford, kapa haka leader Taini Morrison and tennis legend Ruia Morrison-Davy.
From a small hut in 1886 to a fully formed school complete with interactive whiteboards and computers in every room the school has come a long way.
Mr Naera said Rotorua Primary was often underestimated. "We're different than any other school in Rotorua."
He said the community-oriented school got huge support from parents.
Many current students came from a long line of family who had attended the school, he said. "We're expecting a big crowd [at the reunion]."
More than 400 past and present students, teachers and families are expected to attend the celebration which begins tomorrow and will finish on Sunday.
Although the roll peaked at more than 1000 students in the 1950s, the construction of more schools around Rotorua over time has seen it drop to the current roll of 174.
But despite its size, the school was still up there with the best of them, Mr Naera said.
"One of the things we do well is sports - we may not be as big as other schools but we have the same number of sports teams as other schools."
Mr Naera said the great community spirit within the school offered lots of support for the students.
Academically, Mr Naera said the goal was creating a good balance of Maori and English for their culturally rich school.
Half of the school's students are fluent in te reo and the school offers a te reo programme to cater for that.
Mr Naera said Rotorua Primary was a tight-knit school and the students looked after each other.
Tiheawarua Unuwai, Year 8, and Ladeen Haerewa, Year 7, are proud of their school and are excited to help celebrate its anniversary.
Tiheawarua, 12, is a prefect at the school - something that makes her proud.
She loved learning and they learned many different things every day.
"We have the best teachers."
Ladeen, 11, said she really liked the school because the students and teachers made her feel welcome.
She wasn't from the area and said it was like a big family.
Mr Naera said the reunion would be about renewing friendships and paying tribute to those who had passed through the school.
The school, which was built on land gifted to it by Ngati Whakaue, will on Saturday unveil a pou (carved post) donated to it by the tribe.
A school flag will also be raised and some restored teko teko (carved figure) which used to surround the flag pole will be unveiled.
Programme
Friday, April 1
Registration, wine and cheese from 5pm to 10pm.
Saturday, April 2
Powhiri at 9.30am
Morning tea at 10.30am
Photos and activities from 11am
Lunch at noon
Free time from 2pm
Reunion dinner and entertainment from 6pm
Sunday, April 3
Church serive at 10.30am
Tea and cake from 11.30 to noon
In 125 years, Rotorua Primary School has transformed from a small hut to a school with a hall, gymnasium, swimming pool, classrooms and a lot of student successes.
Even though the school has a roll under 200, principal John Naera says it's just as successful as bigger schools - and this
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