By ALISON BROWN in Rotorua
Being teased about her strange Welsh accent is one of the strongest memories Sue Mumby has of her time at Lynmore Primary School.
"My family moved to Rotorua from Wales when I was 8 and my sister and I would walk from Larcy
Rd to school where the other kids made fun about our accent.
"But it came in handy when we joined the Maori club because Maori and Welsh vowels are pronounced the same so we always enjoyed the singing."
Mrs Mumby, who has gone on to become well-known in local musical theatre circles, will be sharing her memories of the school with hundreds of ex-pupils next Saturday during its 50th Jubilee.
Joining her will be daughter Vanessa Mason, a Lynmore pupil from 1978 and grandson Sean Mason, who is in Year 5.
As a third generation pupil, 9-year-old Sean has been given the honour of cutting the Jubilee cake with the school's third principal, Peter Winks.
Seven principals have served at the school since it opened with 101 pupils in August 1956 - Don Civil, John Leonard, Peter Winks, Trevor Wilson, Stuart McPetrie, Jim McTamney and Roger Dempster.
Its roll grew steadily as more families moved to Lynmore as farmland in the area sold and was subdivided.
By the mid-1960s it boasted 17 classes although its roll dipped slightly in 1965 when nearly 200 pupils left to attend the newly-opened Owhata Primary School. About 610 pupils are now enrolled at the school.
Mrs Mason attended from 1978 and fondly remembers lunchtimes exploring the school's Waitawa Forest, getting called up to the "murder house", singing in the hall and swimming in the school pool.
Her son now explores the same forest, using it with other pupils for science projects.
Sean told the Daily Post he loved the school's new sports centre, which opened in December 2003, featuring a gymnasium and astro turf.
As part of the 50th reunion, the school will unveil a mural painted by Rotorua artist and ex-pupil, Marc Spykerbos.
Celebrations also include a "mix and mingle" at the school on Friday night, 3km fun run on Saturday, followed by a dinner and dance in the evening at Skyline Skyrides.
People can still register for the jubilee by contacting the school or calling (07) 348 1184.
By ALISON BROWN in Rotorua
Being teased about her strange Welsh accent is one of the strongest memories Sue Mumby has of her time at Lynmore Primary School.
"My family moved to Rotorua from Wales when I was 8 and my sister and I would walk from Larcy
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