Wairarapa Midweek Wed 8th March

Matt White

Te Ati Awa, Principal, Wairarapa College

“It’s an honour and a pleasure to lead Wairarapa College,”

Matt White says. “This is a community school with a proud history. We have some fourth-generation students, and staff members who were once students here.”

In February 1923, Wairarapa College

(known then as Wairarapa High School) opened its doors with a roll of 222 students and six staff. One hundred years later, the school boasts 1,037 students and more than 100 staff: the largest school in the Wairarapa. “What makes Wairarapa College special is the people. Our staff, some of whom have been here for over 20 years, are committed to providing students the opportunity to develop their full potential. They’re helping to

realise our vision of taking on life’s challenges with wisdom and courage: kia mātau, kia māia. Our vision for our students originates from the vision for the school on the day it opened.

Dr. George Uttley, Principal in 1923, focused on fostering the full character of young people.”

The centenary is an opportunity to reflect on how tradition and innovation meet at Wairarapa College. The original Sutherland Block sits amongst modern high-tech buildings and teaching facilities. Traditional values underpin modern teaching and learning.

“Welcome - or welcome back - to our school and the Wairarapa College Centenary celebrations.”

Gretchen Dean Chair, Board of Trustees Wairarapa College

“Wairarapa College is 100 years old, and we are so proud to be celebrating this historic occasion with you,” says Gretchen Dean.

“Wairarapa College, is a state coeducational secondary school with over 1,000 students. Through name changes and mergers, the school has always been and will always be, a people-centred learning environment.”

“We have a proud history of serving Wairarapa as its largest community school. Our vision of wisdom and courage emphasises well-being, effective teaching practice and the fostering of strong connections with the Wairarapa community.”

Gary Caffell Mayor, Masterton District Council

Wairarapa College is one of the touchstones of life in Masterton, providing a fantastic foundation for thousands of young people over 100 years. More than a few have used what they learned to give back to the district.

Previous Masterton mayors are a roll call of past students.

Frank Cody, mayor from 1974-86, was at the school. Frank was followed by old boy Bob Francis, mayor until 2007.

Another old boy, Garry Daniell, then took on the role, serving until 2013.

Lyn Patterson, mayor from 2013-2022,

“This coming weekend, as the hard work of the Centenary Committee comes to fruition, we celebrate our broader Wairarapa community as well as our alumni. It is also an opportunity to reflect with pride on where we have come from, where we are now, and where we plan to go. Wairarapa College has great teachers, strong leadership, amazing students, and a supportive wider community. We go from strength to strength.”

“It’s not too late to register for the three days of exciting events we have on offer – check out our website at www.waicolcentenary.nz.”

served on the Board of Trustees for the college.

Gary says: “I coached junior rugby at the school for several years, which thoroughly enjoyed.”

Since 1923, numerous former pupils have also served as councillors and staff of Masterton District Council and its predecessors.

Among current councillors, Marama Tuuta, Stella Lennox, Tom Hullena and

Craig Bowyer all attended Wairarapa College –Marama and Tom, also a former teacher at the college, went on to be principals at other Masterton schools.

“I have no doubt Wairarapa College’s significant positive influence on our community, and our Council, will continue.”

“Congratulations on the ton!”

Jason Kerehi Chair, Wairarapa College Centenary Committee Iwi Representative on Wairarapa College’s Board of Trustees

“Wairarapa College centenary honours the teachers and students who have, through successive generations, built the college into what it is today,” Jason Kerehi says.

An old boy himself (1980-1984), Jason’s children are the next generation to attend Wairarapa College. “I enjoyed my time at the school and made a lot of good friends there.”

“WaiCol is the premier college in Wairarapa and has significant reach into the region’s farming and rural communities through its school farm and Poto House, the on-site hostel.”

“The reunion is all about connection. Events over the past few years have shown us that life is too short. It’s the people who matter – many of whom still live in the community.”

Iwi, mayors, and the education community - former principals of the college and principals of feeder schools – have been invited to the opening.

“Our current students will be a big

part of the centenary hosting: guiding, entertaining, and participating in events such as the golfing tournament with old boy Sir Bob Charles, the opening pōwhiri, an arts and a cultural concert.”

“I encourage all former students and staff to join us. Nau mai, hoki mai ki Te Kāreti o Wairarapa.”

100 YEARS WAIRARAPA COLLEGE CENTENARY

FRI 10 - SUN 12 MARCH 2023

Join us in celebrating 100 years of Wairarapa College with an exciting schedule of events.

Wairarapa college centenary: programme of events

Friday 10 March

 Wairarapa College

Centenary Golf Day featuring Sir Bob Charles and Year-10 Wairarapa College student Luke Lange.

8.30am Masterton Golf Club.

 Centenary Registration

1-5pm School Gymnasium.

 Centenary Village Celebration. food and entertainment.

1pm to Late. College Oval.

 Official Pōwhiri 5-6pm. College Oval.

 Hangi Pre-book and collect from the College Oval from 6pm.

 Wairarapa College

Cultural and Arts Concert

6.30pm. Stage, College Oval.

Saturday 11 March

 Wairarapa College Centenary Breakfast.

8.30-10.30am. Copthorne Solway.

 Centenary Village Celebration.

10am to Late. College Oval.

 Official Tours.

10am-4pm.

Leaving from the College Hall.

 Morning Tea for Past & Present Staff.

10.30am. Opportunity for staff to reconnect in the Staffroom in the Sutherland Block.

 Pot o-College House visit. An opportunity for alumni and visitors to connect over refreshments.

11am to 1pm.

 Centenary Photos

2-4pm College Gymnasium.

 Cricket Game

11am-5pm College Oval.

 Centenary Gala with a 1920s theme, with Marilyn Bouzaid QSM as MC and the Beatgirls providing music.

6pm School Hall.

Sunday 12 March

 Memorial Service to recognise our men and women who have served their country: service taken by Army Chaplain and old boy Dave Lacey.

9am School Hall steps.

 Sponsored Brunch

9.30-11am College Oval.

 Official Tours

10am-noon Leaving from the College Hall.

 Final Celebration Noon-1pm Stage, College Oval.

100 YEARS WAIRARAPA COLLEGE CENTENARY

FRI 10 - SUN 12

MARCH 2023

Join us in celebrating 100 years of Wairarapa College with an exciting schedule of events.

Remember when

The beginning

Opening in 1923, Wairarapa High School (later, Wairarapa College) focused on academic education, with pupils travelling to a Technical School for ‘manual training’ in engineering, woodwork, plumbing, home science, and agriculture.

However, the Minister of Education at the time, Peter Fraser, believed technical and academic education should not be separated. He spearheaded the amalgamation of Masterton’s two secondary schools, laying the foundation stone for Wairarapa College in 1937 and returning the following year for the opening.

Increasing demand

The school leaving age was raised to 15 at the end of 1944, and School Certiÿ cate arrived, contributing to the rapid rise of the school’s roll, reaching 1,080 in 1961. More students also began to stay on into senior years.

As the number of students at WaiCol increased, improvements in

infrastructure became necessary. In 1945, for example, a large recreation hall used by the Americans at Titahi Bay during the war was removed to Wairarapa College to be used as its gymnasium.

Uniqueness of WaiCol’s School Farm

From the outset, the School Farm has been a unique feature of the College. The nearly 20ha is a working sheep and beef farm used to educate students from years 9 to 13 in Agricultural and Horticultural Science.

Ian Trass, teacher with the college from 1965 to 2010, became Head of Department. He also managed the School Farm, created agricultural education resources, and met the teacher who was to become his wife.

“Work was busy,” he chuckles, “but there were also many funny moments.”

Ian recalls the time one of his students came running up with a tale of possums in the hayshed. “Something furry, the boy said. told the boy to take a hammer

and bop them on the head,” he says. “It wasn’t long before he returned. It hadn’t been possums after all. It was two young tousledheaded fellas hiding out.”

Another time, pine bark was laid in the grounds. “Within days, the entire area sprouted baby cannabis plants.”

Today, the college o° ers one of the largest primary industry training academies in the country for secondary pupils. On-farm activities include fencing, vaccinating, dagging, shearing, docking, and weighing stock. There’s a woolshed, purpose-built sheep yards, newly built cattle yards, horticultural and potting shed, large implement shed, and hay shed. A Mitsubishi Tractor MT450 is used

with a range of implements for cultivation.

The farm has its own unique breed of Kaimac sheep. Its 175 olive trees are harvested each year, with premium olive oil made, marketed, and sold locally. Garlic, potatoes, and other crops are grown, with produce donated to local foodbanks.

Boarding at WaiCol

Boarding during the week at school is one of Wairarapa College’s points of di° erence.

In 1925, WaiCol’s School House opened with 25 male boarders. From 1945, female students were also able to board at a separate hostel (Purnell).

Since 2020, Poto-College House has been available for rural students wanting to board. It is the only coeducational boarding school around. Today, it has about 50 students with equal numbers of boys and girls, and ÿ ve international students.

Hub for education, sports, and community learning

Rex Fowler, teacher at the college between 1968 and 2000 (initially ÿ lling in for a term but staying for 32 years), is proud of the quality of the teaching and learning at the College. He’s also proud of its sporting prowess, recalling the time he coached the boy’s hockey team to win the Rankin Cup: the premier competition for secondary school hockey.

A changing world

When Principal George Sutherland retired from Wairarapa College in 1982, he said “about 10 years ago, for every pupil who left school there were two jobs - now, the reverse is true.” He also remarked on student anxiety about exam success and observed that most students now stayed for four years secondary education.

During Principal Sutherland’s tenure, a work experience class was introduced for students who found School Certiÿ cate subjects di˛ cult – they worked one day a week for a six-week period, gaining practical skills.

In 2023, it is recognised that learning in the school classroom doesn’t work for everyone. Some students learn best when ‘on-the-job’ and Wairarapa College can provide that option.

“Three of the boys subsequently went on to play for New Zealand,” he said. Other sporting old boys and girls include Sir Bob Charles (golf), Sir Brian Lahore (rugby), Ross Taylor (cricket), and Esther Lanser (cricket). Rex also helped with evening adult education classes: “in a coordination or supervisory role, with up to 100 di° erent classes, three or four nights a week.”

During Rex’s tenure, a lot changed. In 1976 there was a bomb scare (a hoax). In the late 1980s the internet arrived. And boys’ caps were ditched in the 80s, too. “I remember the boys lining up to throw their caps into a big hole in the lawn on the last day of cap wearing. Wairarapa College has always been a meeting place, a hub for the local community,” Rex says. So, in some respects, nothing much has changed at all.

WAIRARAPA COLLEGE BUILDING IN 1960

100 YEARS WAIRARAPA COLLEGE CENTENARY

FRI 10 - SUN 12

MARCH 2023

Join us in celebrating 100 years of Wairarapa College with an exciting schedule of events.

A student at WaiCol from 1949 to 1953, distinguished ‘old boy’ Sir Bob Charles is coming back to school.

“I took two years to get School

Certiÿ cate,” Sir Bob recalls. “I completed the sixth form but was really only interested in sport. I’ve always been a ball game freak.” He took Latin one year, but it was “water o° a duck’s back. There must have been some pretty girls in that class for me to take Latin,” he chuckles.

Sir Bob played rugby as a young fella but, aged 12, a player brought him down hard, tearing all the muscles in his groin. Rugby was replaced by golf as his winter sport after that. Good choice.

Sir Bob got into the ÿ nal of the Under18s golf event back in the day and won the Under-21s, beating his friend and WaiCol prefect Barret Ward.

A friendly game of golf with the manager of Masterton’s National Bank gave the young man a job as a bank teller after school. He worked there until 1960, when not playing in amateur golf tournaments. Eventually, Sir Bob decided to “go pro”. 1963 saw

him win the British Open – a moment photographed and hung on the wall of the Masterton Golf Club.

Murray Macklin, golfer, WaiCol old boy, and friend of Sir Bob’s, played against him at Mahunga Golf Club in 1969. “That game cemented my own desire to be a golf pro,” he says.

Sir Bob says: “My life demonstrates that if you love something and work hard at it, you can make a good living.”

Keeping an eye on the ball Break a leg

Murry discloses that Sir Bob, current patron of Golf New Zealand, was also “patron of the AMP New Zealand Golf Foundation, donating one per cent of his US Senior Tour earnings until retiring in the 90s.”

The ÿ rst golf tournament at WaiCol took place in 1935 and a school golf club was formed in 1937. Teacher Mr Drew organised a school golf championship when Sir Bob was a student. A later regional golf season (1986) was particularly successful when the college retained the cup for inter-collegiate golf and won the Wellington regional ÿ nal of the National Provident inter-collegiate golf competition.

Made an honorary prefect when visiting WaiCol back in 1969, Sir Bob will be back for the centenary, teeing o° with Year-10 student Luke Lange: a distinguished old boy in the making.

Marilyn Bouzaid came to WaiCol in 1970 to teach for a term. She stayed for 40 years. Marilyn was a French teacher, became Head of Department for languages, and established and ran the school’s drama department. Plays had been put on in earlier years, but without the support of a formal department.

Between 1971 and 2010, Marilyn directed 36 major musicals. In 1997, she received a Queens Service Medal (QSM). Marilyn is back at Wairarapa College during centenary weekend as MC at the 1920s Gala. She’ll bring back memories and raise a few laughs.

“I usually inserted myself into the last night of every show,” she recalls with a grin. “It was our 1986 production of Half a Sixpence I was up there dancing the Cancan when I felt something tear in my leg – I’d broken my Achilles tendon.” She had a little old Ford Anglia in those days

and, in 2009, they drove her car onto the stage in Grease. And there was the time that principal George Sutherland, who came to all the shows, thought the hall was on ÿ re: “we were just using dry ice”.

Originally, drama classes took place in an old prefab. “I think the principal got sick

of the noise we made, and so a purposebuilt drama department was erected.”

In the 1980s, Marilyn initiated WaiCol’s involvement in theatre sports (improvisation on stage). In 1991, New Zealand’s Shakespeare Globe Centre was established, and Marilyn led WaiCol

students to participate in its annual Shakespeare Festival. Stage Challenge started up in 1993, incorporating dance, drama, and design within eight-minute performances. Marilyn’s students rose to the challenge. “One year, we were at the Opera House in Wellington, and used skateboards in our performance. We wiped out the lighting at the front of the stage.” Once NCEA was introduced, they put on class plays as well as school productions. Marilyn remembers Jason Kerehi, now on the Board of Trustees, acting in South Paciÿ c Ross Taylor (later, captain of New Zealand’s cricket team) was “a very good actor”. “Three boys from one family did drama with me – all of them got hung, cruciÿ ed or killed in some way in the shows.”

Don’t miss the Gala night celebrations. Marilyn Bouzaid QSM is sure to bring the house down.

1930s WAICOL DRAMA GROUP

MARILYN BOUZAID GETTING CARRIED AWAY IN HER 25TH SHOW DESERT SONG IN 1999

MURRAY MACKLIN WITH PHOTOS OF SIR BOB WINNING THE BRITISH OPEN IN 1963

Jennian Homes Wairarapa

200 Chapel Street, Masterton

P 06 370 0777

E wairarapa@jennian.co.nz

jennian.co.nz

Jennian Homes Wairarapa proudly building our local community for over 40 years.

100 YEARS WAIRARAPA COLLEGE

Things change, things stay the same

The inaugural Wairarapa College school song (written by foundation pupil D.J Donald) and the school waiata of today appear, at ÿ rst sight, to be profoundly di˛ erent. On closer

inspection, however, it’s apparent both songs touch on wisdom and courage - re˙ ecting the College’s founding and ongoing strategic vision. Some things change, some stay the same.

1920s School Song

hands defend her!

May looks and tone in duty own

Her grand scholastic splendour!

Sons of men in exultation, Hail the seat of Education, Shout the joyful acclamation Knowledge stands alone!

# # # # # # # #

While impulsive hearts are burning, Let your echoing shouts returning, Celebrate the Queen of learning

For her worthy rule.

Should a rival rise to thwart her, May each son whom Time e’er brought her, Temporal heir or tired supporters,

2023 School Waiata

TE K˜RETI O WAIRARAPA

Te K°reti o Wairarapa

E mihi nei kia koutou

Kua tae mai t˛nei r°

Ki te whakanuia, te kaupapa whakahirahira (aaa)

Rally round the school!

Should the foes be gaining, Fortune fair or waning.

We’ll stand to bay in close array, An ordered front retaining.

Man with skilful man contending.

Jest with stern encounter blending

Should for one harmonious ending:

Courage wins the day.

# # # # # # # #

Radiant youth so swiftly passes:

Raise anew your loyal glasses, Gallant lads and dainty lasses:

Banish dismal care!

Here’s to masters, dull or clever:

May they rule our ranks forever, Till the rod of just endeavour

Nobler promise bear!

Here the standard under, Malice rent asunder.

And louder sign, till echoes ring, And peal in tones of thunder:

Wairarapa! Fortune raise her!

Rude disaster ne’er amaze her!

May we honour, we who praise her, College, ˜ ag, and King!

Te K°reti o Wairarapa

E mihi nei kia koutou

Kua tae mai t˛nei r°

Kia m°tau kia m°ia (kia m°tau kia m°ia)

Tararua hi Remutaka ha Aorangi hi Maungarake ha Rangitumau hi Puketoi ha.

Aue hi, hi, aue ha.

WAIRARAPA COLLEGE

Wairarapa College

Wishes to acknowledge

Everyone gathered today

For this auspicious occasion

Wairarapa College

Wishes to acknowledge

Everyone gathered today

With Wisdom and Courage

We aspire to the summit of Tararua, Remutaka, Aorangi, Maungarake, Rangitumau and Puketoi

Learn, engage, act, dare: preparing for life

“We have great young people at Wairarapa College,” Principal Matt White says. “And we have amazing teachers. Our job is to build on the strengths and interests of the students, support them to be ready for the next part of their life journey, and open their hearts and minds to opportunities and challenges.”

The school’s LEAD Values encourage students to:

 Learn with purpose

- Kia tapatahi te ako.

 Engage with pride

- Kia whakah˜ te mahi tahi.

 Act with respect

- Kia nui te whakaute.

 Dare to succeed - Kia eke ki te angitu.

“Today, in a confused world,” says Matt, “our school provides a safe, stable environment in which students can ÿ nd their identity and their interests. Wellbeing is a priority.”

A newly built tech hub includes commercial kitchens for hospitality classes, as well as modern spaces for courses in textiles, wood, metal, and digital technology topics.

An innovative approach to core subjects is on o˛ er for Years-9 and 10. Topics that resonate with students can be chosen within which their reading and writing are contextualised: ‘heroes and villains’ and ‘blood, sweat and tears’ are just two examples. A similar method is used for maths.

Matt shows o˛ the unique Supported Learning Centre (Whare ˝whina) for students with learning disabilities. Its manager, Amanda Kawana, says: “Whare ˝whina is another example of the college helping students to prepare for independence”.

Performance, music, and arts spaces, building on generations of creative arts at the school, “provide opportunities for creative expression”.

“An agricultural education is a natural calling for so many of Wairarapa College’s students and is one of the school’s most in˙ uential courses,” Matt says.

The huge school hall includes a wall of fame: “a way for alumni to reconnect”.

In celebration of Wairarapa College’s 60th anniversary, the Minister of Education, Merv Wellington, noted that:

“Few schools … have in their ranks of former pupils so many who have distinguished themselves … A school earns a reputation not just through the achievement of its most distinguished and able former pupils, however. It is in the many - whose only distinction lies in the face that they are good at their job, good citizens, and good family people - that we get a truer picture of the value of what a school is doing.”

And Wairarapa’s community is testament to that.

100 YEARS WAIRARAPA COLLEGE CENTENARY

Daring to succeed

Wairarapa born and bred, 2023’s Head Girl Keira Potangaroa and Head Boy Mitchell Wiramanaden are testament to the values of their families, their communities, and their school.

Keira is one of six siblings. Her mother has been an “early childhood teacher her whole life” and now works for Whaiora, while her father Joe (Rangitāne o Wairarapa) is well-known for his work as a researcher and author focusing on the environment, particularly eels. With an entire family modelling compassion, it’s not surprising Keira believes it is her responsibility “to be a good role model.”

In Year 9, “my main interest was netball,” Keira says. As she got older, the value of school became clearer: “not only for academic learning but also for bonding, making friends, for being part of something.” She tried harder at her studies, broadened her extra-curricular activities, and realised that “if you try hard, you can make things happen.”

Keira’s probably off to Uni next year. She’s thinking about studying zoology: something with animals, at any rate. Joe will be pleased.

Mitchell’s father, originally from Sri Lanka, is head of WaiCol’s science department. His mother also teaches science at the school.

The subject Mitchell is most passionate about is science. “I was clueless about what I wanted to do for most of my school years,” Mitchell says. “But then I went to some open days and bio-medical engineering caught my eye. But I’m still keeping an open mind.”

“As students, we have to find the courage to grasp the opportunities at school full on, not just turn up,” Mitchell says. “Courage is the first step. Wisdom comes from that – it piles in.”

What have they liked best about school?

“Working with others as part of a group.” “Meeting new people, students from other schools, and hearing their thoughts and ideas.”

“Hands down, thank you to the school for the opportunities, and our families for raising and shaping us into the

people we are,” the Head Girl and Head Boy agree. “And thank you to Mr White, an incredible principal.” “He turns up to sport games and is involved with the student body.” “He’s friendly, human.” With Matt White at the helm, WaiCol could be well set up for the next hundred years.

Wairarapa Times-Age would like to acknowledge and thank Wairarapa Archives for retrieving photos and information for this feature.

HEAD GIRL KEIRA POTANGAROA AND HEAD BOY MITCHELL WIRAMANADEN, YEAR 13, 2023.