Hundreds of ex-Linwood High School/Linwood College students gathered at their school over a weekend at the end of last term to farewell their old buildings.

Many months ago planning began for a weekend of farewell and celebration, Friday-Saturday 5-6 April, for ex-LHS/LC students.  This was an opportunity for these former students to say goodbye to their high school as they knew it and to learn about its forthcoming positive redevelopment.

It was a wonderful weekend with over 350 people attending the "conversazione" on Friday night in the Hall.  For many it was reviving decades-old friendships.  A former student, Leonie Freeman, spoke about how LHS had influenced her and her subsequent career.  Also at this event, a new initiative, The Linwood Foundation, was launched  by Marg Foster, an ex-LHS and former Silver Fern. The Foundation is the way in which former LHS/LC students can give back to their school.

Saturday began with a morning tea for the "54ers", the foundation students who were here for the school's first year in 1954.  We learned of how one boy had got up at 5am on opening day to ensure that he was the first student officially through the gate. 

The day continued with an Open Day and various student performances.  Again, many hundreds of former students embraced the opportunity to revisit old haunts and revive memories.  The day formally ended with a moving Farewell Ceremony address from another former student, the Very Rev. Mike Hawke, Anglican dean of Nelson Cathedral.

We thank  Linda Rutland, ex-LHS herself, and a parent of a recent LC student, who suggested holding this weekend and was chair of the organising committee.

Ngā mihi nui

Richard Edmundson

Tumuaki-Principal