Dunedin author and former McGlashan pupil Neal Wallace was asked to write a book celebrating the school's centenary.
The book, An Educated Man, was launched last night, before the celebrations.
Being an old boy meant there was a bit of pressure to get the book right, Mr Wallace said.
``But I wanted to do it justice and hopefully I've done that.''
Now the book was finished, Mr Wallace said he could relax a little and enjoy the weekend celebrations.
``We are a really proud school and I wanted to reflect that pride and how we got here and the contribution of some of the people who made it happen.''
Through his research, Mr Wallace said he had come across quite a few humorous stories, particularly about the boarders.
``It was really interesting what some of the old boys got up to in the boarding hostel.
``Having a 100 or so teenage boys living together there's going to be a bit of mischief going on.''
The celebrations start today with a golf tournament and a cricket match between the First XI and a team made up of former pupils, before an official welcoming ceremony and buffet meal.
Tomorrow night a celebration dinner will be held at the Dunedin Town Hall and earlier in the day there will be a lunch for current and former staff.
A special chapel service will be held on Sunday morning to finish the celebrations.
