Silver Jubilee Celebration 1986 - 2011

KingsWay School celebrated its Silver Jubilee over the weekend of the 10th and 11th September this year. It was a wonderful occasion as hundreds of past and present students, teachers, families and friends reunited to rejoice and celebrate 25 years of Christian education at KingsWay School.

Festoons of paper pom poms and columns of blue and yellow balloons greeted people as they entered the Event Centre and set the mood for a weekend of celebrations. The Jubilee began with the Opening Ceremony on Saturday morning. A highlight of course was the opening of the time capsule by John Bolam, who was on the original Board of Governors in 1986, and is currently Chairman of the Board of Proprietors. Some of the time capsule’s contents were read out. Letters from past pupils, staff and board members told of their personal school experiences and their hopes for the future.

As part of the opening ceremony, we watched a DVD of KingsWay’s history. It was enjoyed by all and brought many to tears as they watched and remembered their own special moments from the years that they were part of KingsWay.

The History Room contained a variety of memories spanning 25 years. Individual posters had been created for each year from 1986 to the present. Through the posters we were given glimpses of KingsWay’s progression from its small start with 10 pupils, at the Red Breach Methodist Church Manse in 1986, to 2011 and a school roll of 1174. The posters highlighted events and changes over the years and created a buzz of excitement and talking points for many at the Jubilee.

Mannequins displayed the KingsWay uniform transformations starting with the original blue checked pinafores for the girls, and grey shorts with pale blue polo shirts for the boys, and concluding with the three uniforms that today distinguish each level of the school.

The official photographer at the Jubilee was available to take photographs for alumni class members in their original year groups. The Little Black Photobooth provided a fun opportunity for people to get creative with their friends and have some instant souvenir photographs to mark the day. The memorabilia stand sold the Jubilee DVD of the history of KingsWay plus coasters; mugs; mouse mats; pens, and many more items, which also offered the opportunity to take home a souvenir of the Jubilee celebration weekend.

Escorted school tours were provided by the prefects. This was the perfect opportunity for past members of staff, students and families who left KingsWay in the late 1980s and 1990s to see how the school had changed since they were part of it. As they walked round the school, many expressed wonder and amazement at the exciting growth they saw.

A picnic lunch on the Saturday contained a scrumptious variety of food. Eating and spending time with old friends was made even more pleasant by the beautiful music serenading the area. Primary and Middle School Hat and Shield competitions were highly successful events which showcased lots of creativity and well thought out projects. It was evident that an impressive amount of work and effort that had gone into to the entries for these competitions. Saturday afternoon sports games set many challenges as past students faced off against current students in games of soccer, basketball, touch and hockey. A few teachers could not resist getting involved in the action, and certainly had fun showing the students some of their techniques.

The Parent Teachers Association did a superb job with the Jubilee café which was open throughout the day on Saturday in order to provide refreshment for visitors. As patrons enjoyed food and drinks in the café they were also able to enjoy the display of beautiful art work created by KingsWay students.

Jubilee celebrations continued on Sunday with a Thanksgiving Service. A large number of people joined us in the Event Centre for the morning, to be part of the service and to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for. The service opened with an excellent time of musical praise and worship led by Ben Sharplin and the Yr 13 music band, Propeller.

John Burgess interviewed three people who were involved with KingsWay in different capacities during early years. Rosie Nobilo was the second teacher to join KingsWay, and she shared her memories of musical performances involving all the children in the school. Joan Bain recalled the early days, before integration, when parents had to take turns to drive the school bus, clean the school, do gardening and supervise students during lunchtime playground duties. Greg Burnard, the first Head of College, spoke about the stages of establishing and developing a senior college at KingsWay.

Radio Rhema presenter, and past member of the KingsWay Board of Trustees, Stephen Tetley-Jones, delivered a humorous and insightful address during the service. Stephen now lives in Tauranga, where he is a Board of Trustee member for Bethlehem College. Following the service, 25 blue and yellow balloons, representing KingsWay’s 25 years, were released by the three generations of KingsWay School principals, Helen Pearson, John Burgess and Francine Bennett.

The weekend of Jubilee celebrations concluded with a lunch attended by a large number of past and present teachers along with guests who have been significantly involved with KingsWay over the last 25 years.

The KingsWay School 25th Silver Jubilee was a great success. Grateful, joyful comments from visitors, friends and guests have made it all worthwhile. Now we look forward to the 50^th Jubilee in 2036. See you then!