Colleges prepare for prom nights

RGP 23Jul15 - Calling themselves the three musketeers of the Whakatane High School ball, Jaryn Rutene, Cullen Riddiford and Tamati Chamberlain have put their carpentry skills to the test by bring

The ticket has been brought, the dress chosen months ago, and the excitement has been building for weeks.

This weekend, senior students from Whakatane High School and Opotiki College will ditch the uniform in favour of high heels and ties as both attend their respective school balls.
Whakatane's is tomorrow night while Opotiki's is to be held on Saturday evening.

Whakatane students have spent the recent school holidays transforming the hall into a casino while Opotiki students will dance the night away in an enchanted forest.

"Maybe 15 to 20 of us have been working over the holidays," Whakatane student Cullen Riddiford said. "We'll be doing the last minute stuff on Friday."

Friday is a teacher's-only day at the school.

About 400 are expected to be at Friday night's ball.

Edgecumbe College is planning its ball for later in the year while Trident High School and Tarawera High School will hold a formal dinner, also to be held later this year.

Whakatane Sergeant Helen Hay said police encouraged students to have a good time. "Stay safe and look after yourself and your mates," Mrs Hay said. She also urged anyone planning a pre- or after-ball party to register it with police.