50th Jubilee Review

Over 850 former students, and former and current staff and Board members registered.  The Wigram Air Force Base proved an ideal venue.
  

The celebrations began on the evening of Friday 25 April with a ‘conversazione’, and the fact that this was held at the Air Force Base seemed appropriate on ANZAC Day.


The place was filled with the buzz of people renewing friendships and reliving memories.

The school looked a picture for Saturday’s Open Day with great weather for the school tours, photos and sports events.   The PTA provided snacks and drinks and the School Prefects and Class Leaders ran tours throughout the day.

Jeanette Cromb had put together a wonderful display of school memorabilia in the hall, and this display proved so popular it was left up for the first days of Term 2 for current students and staff to see.

On the Saturday night the Dinner and Dance opened with the arrival of an airforce jeep carrying the Master of Ceremonies, former student and current staff member Daniel Allan.   Guided by runway lights, the 450 guests were directed to their seats in the darkened hangar.   Tables were adorned with balloons signifying decades, so that groups of people could find their respective school peers and teachers.

During the evening there was a review produced and performed by Daniel Allan, Charlie Grubb, Scott Koorey and Emma Cusdin.  Their historical account was extremely clever and amusing.

The band, Misdemeanour, was a great choice and played well into the night.

On Sunday the Jubilee Service was held in the school’s assembly hall.   David Tapp was the ideal person to officiate and he included the school prayer and singing of the school hymn in the service.   Reflections were shared by Cyril Bradwell, aged 91 years, and the last surviving foundation staff member, Terry Hitchings, second Principal, and current head students Kate Denton and Devon Guest.

The celebrations were closed by Brent and Lyn Miles, who led the organising committee. The Miles also led the 25th and 40th reunions. The challenge now is for the younger set to stand up and fill their places for the 60th and 75th celebrations.

After the Jubilee Service guests went outside to the formal garden for the dedication of the commemorative plaque and kowhai tree by Beth Dunn, Chair of the Board of Trustees.   The ceremonies concluded with morning tea and the cutting of the Jubilee Cake which was donated by Adrienne Buchanan.   The honour of cutting the cake went to two foundation students Peter Burdett and Glenys Vogel.

A staff function was held at the Riccarton Club with nearly 100 former and current staff, board members and PTA members meeting forlunch. Peter McLeod, a long serving and popular former staff member, entertained the group with lots of stories, myths and legends of earlier times.