Wanganui Collegiate School welcomed new students and their families to the start of the year with a powhiri and afternoon tea.
The ceremony, held on January 29 was also a welcome for new headmaster Wayne Brown, his wife Alycia and their two children.
Mr Brown is from Hobart, Tasmania although he already has strong New Zealand connections having previously taught at Palmerston North Boys' High School and King's High School in Dunedin.
He is also an elite sports coach and a previous assistant coach with the New Zealand Breakers.
Mrs Brown is from Raetihi and members of her family attended the welcome and members of her husband's family travelled from Australia for the occasion.
Co-ordinator Lindsey Robinson said the powhiri was an emotional and spiritual event that brings the Collegiate community together with Whanganui iwi and the local community at the beginning of the school year.
"Wanganui Collegiate School would like to acknowledge and thank Tamahau Rowe, Mark Pirikahu, Pipiana Hipango, Nicole Dryden, Sue Stevenson, John Maihi and Ashley Patea for their participation," she said.
Year 13 Collegiate student Te Wanihi Rowe (Tūpoho and Te Ati Haunui-ā-pāpārangi) was the speaker representing students this year.
Powhiri organiser and Tikanga teacher, Rene Gardiner-Hokianga said powhiri would not happen without these key people and the skills required to hold a welcoming ceremony of that magnitude.
"I'm just so thankful we have a community and school whānau community that support these occasions.
"It certainly makes my role as organiser a lot easier on the day. I'm hoping our new students and families appreciated and enjoyed the experience."
Wayne Brown replaces Chris Moller, who left in 2017, and takes the reins from interim headmaster Ross Brown.