About 25 former staff and students reunited for a morning tea yesterday, to celebrate the school’s 70th anniversary.
The school’s first head girl, Margaret Young, said it was ‘‘absolutely wonderful’’ to be back.
She had enjoyed catching up with classmates and had fond memories of her time at the school.
‘‘I was supposed to go to Otago Girls’ because that way my parents wouldn’t have to buy me a uniform, I could use my sister’s,’’ Mrs Young said.
‘‘And I burst into tears and said, ‘my friends are going to this new school, Queen’s High School, oh please, please’.
‘‘Best thing I ever did.’’
Latin and drama, particularly Shakespeare, were her favourite subjects at school — the teachers were ‘‘firm but fair’’.
‘‘You always had to wear your hat and your gloves. God help you, if you were caught [without],’’ she said.
‘‘Sometimes we’d just peep through the gaps in the fence at the King’s High boys doing military training. That was a big deal.’’
The values reflected in the school’s motto — which translated to ‘‘through love of learning, we learn to live’’ — set girls up well for the future, she said.
‘‘That’s so important. I can’t think of a better motto.’’ Principal Barbara Agnew said it was a delight to see past students share memories with the current cohort. ‘‘The girls love having a chat and hearing what it used to be like . . . looking at what’s changed, what’s different, or what’s the same.’’
It was important to celebrate the school’s history, she said. A large reunion was planned for the 75th anniversary.
