Sam (15) in year 10, and Tom (16), year 12, were part of the welcoming assembly in the Hall of Memories on Friday - and rightly so.
Both boarders from Palmerston, they are the fourth generation of their family to attend Waitaki Boys, but their association with the school goes back to the board that established it.
Both accepted it was inevitable that, after they had completed their early schooling at Palmerston, they would attend Waitaki.
Neither regrets that, and they acknowledge the long association their family has had with the school.
Their great-great-great-grandfather, Duncan Sutherland, was a foundation board member before the school opened for its first day on May 15, 1883.
Mr Sutherland was owner of Omarama Station and was also chairman of the Waitaki County Council.
He served on the school board for 39 years and was chairman for 11 of those years.
He used to spend two days riding to Oamaru to attend meetings and was to the governance of the school what former rector, the late Frank Milner, was to its management and standards.
The family's association is still recognised today, after a day boys' house was named after him in 1928.
Mr Sutherland's son, Fred Dalgety Sutherland, the great-great-grandfather of Sam and Tom, was among the 19 pupils when the school opened on its first day.
Fred's son did not attend Waitaki, but the next three generations did, making Sam and Tom the fourth.
"We always knew we would come to Waitaki, but are happy to continue that tradition," Sam said.
If they had sons, they both agreed they would probably send them to Waitaki Boys.
On Friday, the Sutherland brothers introduced the guest speakers at the special welcoming assembly and Sam read poetry at the organ recital in the Hall of Memories on Saturday.
The celebrations started on Thursday night with the official launch of "Songs May Be Sung", an exhibition of art works by former and present pupils at the Forrester Gallery, which continues until August 31.
On Saturday, school photographs were taken in the auditorium, followed by an afternoon of varying events, with the 125th anniversary dinner-dance on Saturday night.
The celebrations concluded with a thanksgiving service in the Hall of Memories yesterday.
An updated history of the school, A Haul of Memories, by Russ Drew, was also launched during the celebrations.
