Te Pākihi o Maru celebrated its 150th anniversary yesterday.
The anniversary was actually last year, but the school delayed celebrating due to Covid-19.
The school held an assembly to celebrate and to unveil two taonga carvings donated to it.
Over 120 people packed into the school hall for the occasion.
The school also debuted its new school song written by teacher Eddie Robinson.
It is believed to be the first time in the school’s history it has had a school song.
Pupils from the school, formerly known as Oamaru North School, impressed those in attendance with a performance of kapa haka, choir singing and a mau rakau demonstration, which is a martial art based on traditional Māori weapons.
The celebration went "better than expected", principal Stacey Honeywell said.
"It was about the kids and they’ve been learning all year about the community and our school and they had the time [to] shine. It was a real privilege to have our kids do what they did today."
She loved seeing so many people come out to commemorate the occasion.
"It was wonderful to see some ex-students here, some ex-staff and great community support."
Waitaki District Mayor Gary Kircher was also in attendance as he planted a kowhai tree to mark the occasion.
