|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
A two-day celebration will be held at Hunua School this March to mark its 150th anniversary.
The school opened on March 6, 1876, with 26 children attending. Originally, lessons were held in the church opposite the school until 1877, when construction of the schoolhouse began.
Hunua School principal Mark Drummond said the school roll now sits around 150 – very apt for the sesquicentennial milestone.
“We will be celebrating the milestone with current students by learning about the history of the school and the local area throughout Term 1. We’ll also be doing reflections of our time at Hunua and comparing them with the memories of past students’ experiences.”
Fleur Lindsay (nee Norton) attended Hunua School with her sister, Paddy, and their brothers, Harry and Lance.
Fleur’s daughter Joy Mandel said her mum, who is now 95, lived about two miles from the school. She remembered the White family and the Lockwood family, who were good friends with her parents.
“The days she didn’t ride to school, she and her siblings went on the school bus. They were really too close to the school for the bus, but the driver would still pick them up.”
Hunua School 150th Anniversary Committee chair Richard Nelson said the oldest registered former pupil is Reg Lockwood at age 90.
“He first started at Hunua School back in 1936, and his family has been part of the community for six generations, which is fitting given the school sits on Lockwood Road. Reg still laughs about the time he was strapped for finishing his math work too quickly. Apparently, being good at math wasn’t always a good thing!”
Celebrations will be split over two days, starting on Friday, March 27, with a mihi whakatau/welcome, formal speeches, ceremonial cake cutting and a commemorative tree planting.
“This will be quickly followed by some ‘connection’ drinks hosted by John Hill Estate and an opportunity to take a guided tour of the school, led by some of our past and present students,” Nelson said.
On Saturday, March 28, a fair will be held in traditional country style, Nelson said, with raffles and family running races, good coffee, market stalls and high tea.
“Cultural and musical performances from our students and a licensed bar with live music that will get the toes tapping. The highlight will be our giant pumpkin growing competition. Our wider community has been growing giant pumpkins in the lead up to the 150th School Fair, where the biggest pumpkin will be crowned.
“There has been a bit of chat and friendly fire exchanged at the school gate, and it’s fair to say some big numbers have been thrown around. We have even had to put together a dedicated giant pumpkin pick-up team.”
Raffles will be up for presale and drawn on the day of the fair, including the chance to win a Mustang for a weekend. All tickets are available through the school office.
