St Bede’s — 75 years and still growing strong

Press, 25 February 1986, Page 20

St Bede’s — 75 years and still growing strong

On Thursday, February 9, 1911, 14 boys turned up at the newly opened St Bede’s College at the corner of Fitzgerald Avenue and Ferry Road. The school has changed location and has grown to more than 700 pupils in the intervening threequarters of a century. Pupils, teachers and friends of the college are invited back to the 75th anniversary celebrations to be held over Anzac week-end.

The organising committee has been working for 18 months to make sure all old boys and former teachers have been contacted and made aware of the programme of events to take place. Mr Bob Methven, the chairman of the organising committee, said that every endeavour has been made to contact old Bedeans but that many had changed addresses and moved out of town. He urges anyone who has not been contacted to fill out an enrolment form found further down on this page if they want to attend the celebrations.

The programme is: FRIDAY, APRIL 25 (ANZAC DAY): The Bedean family will remember the deceased members at a memorial Mass at 10 a.m. This is to honour all who have died, civilian and militaiy. Exservicemen are invited to wear decorations to this Mass. The official opening takes place at 11 a.m. on the same day and this is the start of the social celebrations that- mark the important milestone in St Bede’s history. Representatives of the Government and civic authorities, and religious leaders will join with the

college in marking the occasion. School friendships can be renewed at the luncheon after this formal event and in the evening the “Jubilee” party will be held at the University of Canterbury, at Ham. This should be a night to remember with no formal activity but something to entertain all ages. Top bands and cabaret acts led by Billy T. James will perform and for those who seek a quieter area for renewing friendships, provision has been made to meet their needs. A continuous supper and refreshments will be provided.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26: An open day will be held at the college with a full programme of sports provided by school teams while organised squash and jogging takes place. Later that evening the “Jubilee” dinner for old boys and teachers (past and present) will be held at the college. More than 500 old boys are expected to attend.

SUNDAY, APRIL 27: The formal celebrations conclude with what the college and committee consider to be the most important function of the celebrations, the "Jubilee” Mass. The Mass will be concelebrated by old boy and teacher priests presided over by Bishop Denis Hanrahan with Bishop Ashby, himself an old boy, in attendance.

Lunch and era photographs will end the formal functions.

MONDAY, APRIL 28: The concluding event is the golf match at Waitikiri Golf Course. This is already showing signs of being an early sell-out.

The seventy-fifth anniversary celebrations are open to all who have been associated with St Bede’s, not just old boys. It is the wish and hope of the rector, staff and committee that this will be a family occasion with wives and families welcome at all events except the Old Boys dinner.

Registrations are flowing in satisfactorily, assur-

ing success for the celebrations.

It is hoped that the registration application below will reach the Bedeans for whom addresses are not known. This will be the last appeal to the St Bede’s Family to join in these festivities and it is hoped that registration will be made promptly so that final arrangements can be made for catering.