In 1863 Arrowtown School opened its doors for the first time, in a wooden building on the former Royal Oak hotel site.
One hundred and fifty years on, almost 500 pupils attend the school, now on Centennial Ave, and at the sesquicentennial celebrations this Labour Weekend fundraising will be undertaken to help future-proof the only remaining primary school in the town.
Principal Robin Harris said the school was nearing capacity, with plans under way to construct a $1.25 million two-storeyed building to house six additional classrooms, taking the total number of classrooms to 27.
Outline plans for that development had been prepared and, pending building consent, construction was likely to begin before the end of the year, with the new facility operational by term two next year.
If the project cost more than the Ministry of Education had budgeted, the school would have to raise the difference, Mr Harris said.
Sesquicentennial organiser Julie Hughes said money raised during the October celebrations would be used to help fund any shortfall and also to invest in technology for the pupils.
While it was the Arrowtown School's 150th anniversary, the reunion was also for the Arrowtown community and for past pupils and staff of other schools in the area which had since been closed.
They included the Crown Terrace School, the Lower Shotover School and the Macetown School.
''It's a celebration for all of the schools and for the community.
''The school is the heart of Arrowtown - it's been there the whole time.
''People who have been in Arrowtown a long time have either been to the school or their kids have been to the school.
''The celebrations are a reunion, but also for the Saturday night [evening function] what we're wanting to do is get people from the community to come and be part of the celebrations.''
The weekend would begin with an opportunity for people to see the school in action from 11am to 3pm on October 25, guided by senior pupils.
That night a mix and mingle would be held in the school hall, which would include registration information and the cutting of the 150th anniversary cake.
On October 26 a community gala day would be held at the school, including stalls from every class at Arrowtown School, community groups, jewellers and arts and crafts, with entertainment from Arrowtown groups as well as visiting jazz musicians.
Photos would be taken by decades, as well as a large panoramic group photograph, replicating one taken at the 100th anniversary in 1963.
The celebrations would conclude that night with a continuous supper and entertainment in the school hall.
Mrs Hughes said during that function there would be a small auction of artworks, along with an opportunity to purchase a bottle of limited edition pinot noir, made specifically for the Arrowtown School 150th.
The Gibbston Special Reserve pinot noir had been created by blending pinot noir from 10 wineries, overseen by Sean Brennan, of Brennan Wines.
Three hundred bottles would be produced, only available during the 150th celebrations, she said.
Additionally, pupils from Arrowtown School were designing wine labels. Four would be selected to grace the bottles and the original artwork of the winning designs would be framed and auctioned off with a bottle bearing that label.
Programme
Friday, October 25
11am-3pm: Guided tours of Arrowtown School in action.
6.30pm-8.30pm: Mix and mingle at the Arrowtown School Hall, $15 per person, includes a drink on arrival and canapes.
Saturday, October 26
10.30am-4pm: Community Gala Day including art and craft stalls and school photographs.
6pm: Evening function at the Arrowtown School Hall includes a continuous buffet, auction and entertainment, $45 per person.
Registration details
To register visit www.arrowtownschool150.blogspot.co.nz; email julie@arrowevents.co.nz; or phone (03) 442-0809 or 027-633-1252.
