One of the highlights of Friday's celebrations was hearing from six Hagley people, whose links to the school span nearly 50 years from its opening to the current day.

Peter Dillon

“Hagley was an ugly ducking when I arrived and left as a pupil, a school with a great past that was becoming forgotten after the merger in 1966. In 1989 I arrived to vastly changed practices and mindsets and watched on as the school first fought a massive battle just to survive and then, when the battle was won and the school had been rebuilt, the school took full flight with even further innovation after innovation to become the incredible place it is today. I was there in 1967 and 2015 and although I liked my old school, I wish I could have attended it now instead.”

Peter started as a student at Hagley High School a year after it opened in 1967. After completing geography and psychology degrees, he worked at Crown Crystal for 10 years and then came back to Hagley to work as the evening property manager. He held this position for 25 years, retiring during 2015.

Sandra Manderson

"It prepared me well for university, as the teaching staff were excellent academically and also with their interactions and commitment to students. I went on to join the New Zealand Police, a career that I always committed to. My education and association with Hagley certainly prepared me for my future.
While I was at school, I was also very keen to participate in sport and physical education activities. Hagley provided me with every opportunity to do that. Having Hagley Park on our doorstep only enhanced the facilities and opportunities we had.
Over the past few days at the reunion, having the opportunity to look at the school facilities I have been extremely impressed with the amenities that the school has and what it offers today's students. As a result of Hagley having to compete with other educational institutions, once again it has risen to the top to provide outstanding first rate opportunities to the the students of Christchurch and the communities it serves."

Sandra was head girl at Hagley in 1972. After completing her degree at the University of Canterbury, Sandra taught PE and Geography for a year at Hagley and was a member on the Board of Governors. Sandra has a QSM for services to the community, an MSc and MBA. Sandra was District Commander for Canterbury for six years.  She has spent the last four years representing the New Zealand Police in Washington at the New Zealand Embassy. She returned to New Zealand earlier this year and is currently working in Wellington at Police Headquarters.

George Moran

"The 1980s were a time of great uncertainty at Hagley. The Minister of Education, Merv Wellington, was convinced there were one too many high schools in Christchurch, and that Hagley had to go. However he hadn’t reckoned on the determination of Jean Herbision (Board Chair) and Ros Heinz (Principal)."

George started his teaching career at Hagley in the 1980s for three years, then returned to Hagley in the 1990s and became Head of Science during this period. George now works in partnership with Humorous Cartoons, by Celia Allison, which publishes stationery, prints and accessories.

Katherine Williams

"2016 has been a pinnacle year for me. I was awarded the New Zealand Professional Photographer of the Year in June, as well as receiving Canterbury Professional Photographer of the Year, NZ Wedding Classic Photographer of the Year, NZ Wedding Creative photographer of the Year and having two photographs selected to represent New Zealand at the World Photographic Cup which is like the olympics of photography.
Can I say Hagley played a big part in me getting here? Undoubtedly. When I came to Hagley, my teachers provided me the very things I believe we all need to thrive: the freedom to explore who we are without bias and micro management, the encouragement to squash ones self-doubts and the empowerment of self-belief in being ourselves."

Katherine was at Hagley in 1993 as a photography student. She is a partner in Tandem Photography a NZIPP Masters of Photography and a fellow of NZIPP. In August, Katherine took out the New Zealand Wedding Album of the Year at the 2015 NZIPP Epson Iris Awards and received a further 16 awards, including an elusive Gold with Distinction Award.

Alison Westrupp

"Hagley is a place where students are encouraged to be themselves and supported to be somebody. Hagley is unique and offers opportunities and experiences which demonstrate this. Past and future, Hagley is a supremely diverse but inclusive environment where students are respected as individuals and motivated to achieve their potential."

Alison was a student at Hagley for four years finishing in 2008. Alison and her two brothers, Lachlan and Alex, all attended Hagley. Their mother, Louise, was a member of the Hagley Board for a number of years. Alison is now studying to be an Early Childhood teacher with a passion to teach special needs students.

John Beijen

"Hagley has made me feel like part of the family from the very first day; it has helped me grow academically into an independent learner; and without it I would not be the well-rounded person I am today."

John is a current student who came to Hagley after attending Rathkeale College in Masterton. Coming from a private boys boarding school to Hagley, John experienced quite a change. He is seeking to further his education either in the States or England next year with a place in a strong university.