Large crowd anticipated

Press, 14 September 1988, Page 35

Large crowd anticipated

A large turnout is expected for the Central New Brighton School centennial celebrations in February next year. More than 18,000 pupils have attended the school since it opened on February 4,1889, with 39 pupils. Sadly, many of the early records have been lost, but enough remains to paint a vivid picture of a two-room building, surrounded by sand dunes. The school, at first known as the New Brighton Beach School, had been opened as a result of action by local residents, concerned that the nearest school was previously at Burwood, a two mile tramp over difficult terrain for the children.

Although closer to home, the area round the new school was rough, being largely sand, as was most of what was then the hamlet of New Brighton.

It took many years of tree planting, and hard work to stabilise the school area, although not everyone was grateful — students regretted the demise of the large sandhill in the playground they used as a slide.

The founding headmaster, a guiding light of the school for its first 37 years, was Mr G. W. Bishop, a man admired and liked by the entire community for his tireless efforts on behalf of his pupils. The school roll continued to grow, and in 1916 North New Brighton School became a “side school” as did South New Brighton in 1922, with all three schools initially under Mr Bishop’s control. Committees had to fight the pressure of the. everexpanding roll for many of those early years and at one stage classes were held variously in the Prebyterian Church Hall, a building known as the old “tin shed” ■ and even a marquee. The school expanded

into the secondary education area in 1930, when pressure from residents came to fruition and the District High School was set up as part of the school. This was part of the school for almost 30 years, finally being closed down in 1959 after the opening of Aranui High School. A feature of the school has been, and still is, the number of long-serving staff members. The school has had only ten headmasters in its 100 year history. The present head is Mr T. J. Leahy, who has been there for the past four years. All the old buildings have disappeared now, along with the last trace of sand, and Mr Leahy is very proud of his fine school and pupils, and of the community input which has helped to make it what it is today. The Roy Stokes Hall is a prime example of this. It was the brainchild of Mr Stokes, a local, builder who was the guiding force behind years of fundrais-

ing, because he felt strongly that a hall that the entire community could also use was badly needed in the area. It was opened in 1977. The school pool was also build as a community facility, before the QEII complex came into existence, and is still open in the holidays as a public facility. Mr Leahy is full of praise for the hardworking school committee members and P.T.A. members who have done so much over the years. A large and busy centennial committee, chaired by Mr lan Fawcett are hard at work continuing this tradition.

Jubilees were held in 1939 and 1964, but unfortunately many of the school records have been lost as a result of the extensive rebuilding over the years. Fortunately, a complete list of all the pupils who have attended is in existence, and the committee is attempting to locate as many as possible with information about the celebrations. The week-end, which is Waitangi week-end 1989, is scheduled to begin with a Conversazione on the evening of Friday, February 3, which is limited to

former pupils, and past and present staff, school committee and P.T.A. members.

The formal opening ceremony and afternoon tea get the general festivities under way the next day, followed by a dance on Saturday night and then the Centennial banquet on Sunday evening. Because of catering demands, admission to all these functions will be by ticket only, and the committee hopes everyone will register promptly and make their task that little bit easier.

A local feature for many years, until the 19505, was the school’s drum and fife band, and it is hoped former members will emerge from hiding in time for it to be revived for a street match for the celebrations. Mr Alan Cockburn is busily engaged in hunting out participants. Mr Fawcett said school .celebrations in the past have been well supported, and his committee is expecting a good turn out this time too. So far they have oyer 300 registrations, and are aiming for at least 800 with a large percentage of those bringing partners.