Cutting the 100 year cakes, from left: Addison Spiers, Ngaire Phillips, Mary Strack, Ayden Flay, Janice Millar and Christine Dickson.
Cutting the 100 year cakes, from left: Addison Spiers, Ngaire Phillips, Mary Strack, Ayden Flay, Janice Millar and Christine Dickson.
Te Awamutu College hosted a group of eight former classmates, plus special guests, at a function on Friday to celebrate 100 years of secondary schooling in Te Awamutu.
The function was driven by the former students (see story page 2).
Whakatau for past students and guests of honour at O-Tawhao Marae by current teacher Con Emery.
Former head boy Graham Jamieson responding to the whakatau.
The day began with a whakatau in O'Tāwhao marae for past students and special guests, followed by speeches and a shared morning tea with current staff, plus time to reminisce and view the Te Awamutu Museum exhibition which has been relocated to the Te Awamutu College Library.
Whakatau for past students and guests of honour at O-Tawhao Marae.
Speaking at the event, one of the organisers, Ann Dunphy (1960 Dux), opened by quoting the whakatauki in the invitation. A noble heritage will never perish, noting that it is only the work of people in the present, actively tending the heritage, that keep this alive.
Part of the event organising team was Te Awamutu College Dux 1960, Ann Dunphy, who became principal of Penrose High School and was co-founder of the New Zealand Youth Mentoring Network.
She says it was clearly impossible to follow traditional reunion patterns in this extraordinary year, but the group was grateful that the school were so willing to host a celebration to fit the circumstances.
Hongi and greetings for past students and guests of honour at O-Tawhao Marae.
"The priority was to thank current staff, with timing and venue size requiring a restricted guest list," said Ann.
Principal Tony Membery and head students welcomed past students back to Te Awamutu College.
"Mandy Reid and Clare Ravenscroft did a brilliant job of local organisation, while I spoke to link past and present.
"Eight of our class group were able to be present, with former head boy Graham Jamieson responding to the whakatau, and we recognised many absent friends, particularly Sydney-based Peter McGovern whose initiative in locating the history recorded on the school's website, set the whole process in motion."
Ann Dunphy presents The Fifth Wind by former student Rob McDonald to Vetora clinic manager Adam Hittmann. Rob's father John was the first veterinarian employed by Te Awamutu Vet Club.
Ann concluded with another proverb, recalling how we all stand on the shoulders of the giants who went before us – a concept that is superbly expressed in the waiata 'Ehara i te mea, No nainei te aroha, No na tupuna, Tuku iho, tuku iho'.
Past students check out the display and memorabilia in the Te Awamutu College Library curated by Te Awamutu Museum staff.
