Two local schools hit the news at the weekend for all the right reasons.
Hereworth School held a sell-out black-tie dinner in Havelock North to celebrate 100 years at its current site and also held rugby games against old foes Huntley School.
The historic school was the product of a school merger in 1927 when Heretaunga, founded in Hastings in 1882, moved to the existing Hereworth site on Te Mata Rd in August 1913 and merged with Hurworth, founded in Wanganui in 1901.
Meanwhile, about 120 people attended a speech by Dame Jenny Shipley at Woodford House on Friday night to launch the Girls' Strategies and Pathways Symposium. Speaking of her desire for girls to be individuals and develop character, she said it was as important as any scholastic achievement.
Mrs Shipley encouraged parents to help their girls develop a strong sense of identity, not be afraid of taking risks and to be curious about the world around them. She said teaching girls to inform themselves and be opinionated is an important part of raising children in the 21st century.
