Boys at Solway after 70 years

Boys took classes for the first time in more than 70 years at the Solway College boarding school for girls in Masterton this term.

The last male students to attend the school, which was founded in 1916, were part of a family of British war evacuees who left in 1942, Year 13 dean Sue Franck said.

Aged only 3 and 4 at the time, the Kingston brothers and their 7-year-old sister were under the guardianship of the first principal, Marion Thompson, and their journey so far away from home must have been a strange and confusing experience, she said.

This term, boys from the other side of the world had been attending classes at Solway College, Mrs Franck said, as part of a group of 14-year-old male and female students from France.

"Last year, Solway students made a trip to Annecy in France, where they were billeted with local families, and this term it was our turn to repay the hospitality," Mrs Franck said.

The 17 visitors "loved our beautiful school grounds" and made the most of the summer weather, completing trips to Weta Workshop, Te Papa, Castlepoint, Taratahi Agricultural Training College, the Golden Shears and Mt Tongariro.

"They found school life in New Zealand very different to France, and loved the relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Apparently, skipping competitions at lunchtime are not the norm in Annecy, although they may have taken this tradition home with them and started a trend."

Meanwhile, Solway College netballers have been offered the opportunity to attend Haier Pulse home games in Wellington, as part of a volunteer group who hand out information to the public as they enter the stadium.

Also, Year 10 student Natalie Hislop has gained a Rotary Scholarship to Uralla Central School in New South Wales, Australia. Uralla is a small inland town between Sydney and Brisbane. The Carterton and Upper Hutt Rotary clubs were sponsoring Ms Hislop, Mrs Franck said.

Ms Hislop will be take trips around the area and to the Bathurst racetrack while in Australia and will attend Solway College for a term with her Australian "sister" on her return.

Mrs Franck said students and staff looked forward to the end-of-term Academic Colours awards ceremony where last year's academic successes would be recognised.

The school was beginning preparations for next term's open day on May 18, she said, and urged interested people to check www.solwaycollege.school.nz.