Huntley staff embrace Movember

Huntley School staff (from left) Sam Edwards, Anton Buys, Ollie Dunkley, Headmaster Brad Gay, Mark McAlley, Shaun Lewis, Graham Brown and Barry Williams. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Huntley School staff have got right in behind Movember this year.

After losing ex-colleague Hamish Coulter to cancer earlier in the year, and with a number of staff members' families who have suffered through cancer, they decided to do something proactive about it.

"If we can show boys that it is OK to discuss men's health we believe that in the future we may lose less of our men folk to this disease," headmaster Brad Gay said.

"The boys have been great in their response and the school has raised over $1500 for this event."

Mr Gay said some staff were "obviously hairier than others" and he was pleased to see he had less grey in his moustache than some of the younger staff members.

To celebrate the end of Movember students had a Mo-mufti Day on Thursday, where they came to school with faces painted and entered a "best painted mo" competition.

But it's not been all about the boys at Huntley. Mr Gay said the school had been a hive of activity with major revamps and renovations in preparation to welcome the 23 girls starting at the school in 2014.

Huntley School announced earlier this year it would go co-educational, having been a boys-only school since it opened in 1896, and of the first batch of girls 12 would be boarders, Mr Gay said.

"It's wonderful that we have become a co-educational school. It's very exciting times for us."

Even though the school buildings had been deemed 70 per cent proof of the earthquake code the school buildings were all being brought up to 100 per cent, he said.

Mr Gay said the boys and parents currently at the school had been very understanding of the building process.

"We have refurbished dormitories throughout for the the boys as well as built the new girls dormitory. There are a new shower blocks and toilets, with upgraded fire compliance and of course everything is earthquake strengthened.

"Even the inner linings of all the buildings were being replaced with flame retardant materials," he said.

Some of the girls already had brothers at the school so there was very strong family ethos there.

"The girls coming to board were quite sport and academic minded. They will do very well here."

A big opening day is being planned for the girls first day on Sunday February 9.

"It will be an exciting day for the school - we are all looking forward to it."