Preparations are well advanced for golden jubilee festivities at one of east Auckland’s high-profile secondary schools.
This is the 50th year of Howick College and the big birthday celebrations are happening on Friday-Saturday, October 18-19.
Principal Dale Burden, in his second year at Howick College, says he’s looking forward to meeting with past pupils and teachers.
“It’s a really important opportunity for our alumni to engage in the present college and also to reflect over and celebrate their time here.
“We’re celebrating 50 years which is fantastic and looking forward to an exciting future.”
Kate Pike has been organising the anniversary activities and says there has been plenty of interest from people registering.
“We’re excited to be celebrating the golden jubilee,” she says.
On the Friday, midday to 3pm, Pike says there will be an Afternoon Tea-Quila held at Despensa in Howick.
“With Mexican nibbles and a margarita to tickle the taste buds it will be a relaxed afternoon.”
On the Saturday morning, from 9am, there will be tours of the school led by senior students.
“That will include an official welcome from our kapa haka group, student performances, a delicious morning tea made by our talented hospitality department and a tree planting ceremony to mark the milestone,” Pike says.
Later, on Saturday evening from 5pm, there will be decade photos taken of former students in the Bill Dimery Theatre, named after a former principal.
“Guests will then make their way to the newly refurbished library where our mix and mingle will be held,” says Pike.
“Our hospitality team are delighted to be serving posh nosh canapes. There will be speeches and a cake cutting, along with a DJ to open the dance floor.”
It might come as a surprise to learn that Pike is not a Howick College alumni and has a background in digital marketing and being a flight attendant, but she’s taken to the role of event organiser with aplomb.
“It’s been good learning about the school, its history, and to see how an actual school works.”
