The history of Wakanui School will come to life this year in a specially written production by principal Trena Watt, celebrating its 150-year anniversary.
It will involve the whole school.
The production ‘150 Years of Growing the Future at Wakanui’ will be staged at Ashburton Event Centre and kicks off three days of celebrations, starting September 17.
On September 18, the school will hold an open afternoon including the ringing of the school bell, cutting of the cake and planting of a tree.
On the 19th, before a celebration dinner at the Hotel Ashburton, reunion attendees can take a bus ride around the district to re-live memories and see the changes, while at the school a fun and friendly game of hockey will be played.
Former pupil Sue Butterick-Kent said there were two classroom in her days in the 1950s; a junior and a senior. Today, the school has five classrooms.
Her great uncle was a first day pupil and since then five generations of Butterick family have attended the school.
When Graeme Moore attended the school in the 1960’s the roll sat at 26, today it is 90.
He also comes from a family of generations who attended Wakanui.
Four generations of Moores have walked through the gates.
When Graeme’s sister was at the school, she the only one in her year.
Graeme said everyone knew everyone at the school and in the district, farmer workers remained on farms for a long time.
Farms remained in families and many were big farms.
Hockey has played a big part in the life of Wakanui School.
‘‘There were very few at the school who didn’t play hockey,” Graeme said.
Both Sue and Graeme said it was big deal going on to secondary school from a school where everyone knew each other, to one where there were no other students from Wakanui in their class.
“The school was the community,” Graeme said.
He remembers when their teacher got married and all the pupils were invited to her wedding.
School office manager Penny Kerr said there was a passion in the community for the school.
‘‘The school is well supported by the community. And the school keeps in contact with families so if there is a need, the community can reach out and help,” she said.
The current school is the third one of the site.
In 2009 a classroom block was lost in a fire.
There were other schools in the area — Seaview and Riverside and on closing were amalgamated into Wakanui School.
When the school celebrated its 100th Sue remembers a parade that was held to mark the occasion.
“There were traction engines, and I and two others rode side saddle,” Sue said.
Pupils from the school have gone on to achieve success in many areas including Ryan Wilson in hockey, Dorothy Eden writer and author, and Anna Moore with the Australian Air Force.
– For details on the reunion contact Penny via email at: penny@wakanui. school.nz. Registrations close August 31.
