Welcome to the 3rd Edition of the "Network News"
We were really thrilled with the excellent response from our Christmas
Greeting sent to those whose names we had received but who had not sent us their
details. The network has increased by 200 as a result. Many people sent
donations and these are greatly appreciated as the committe continues to move the
Association onto a solid footing.
We are hoping over the next few months to finalise the dates for the 75th celebrations
in the year 2001. This will enable those people intending to travel from long distances to
make their plans. Keep speading the news - look out your old class photos and if you know
where people are living, make contact by passing on the Join Me Up form.
This household is having an enormous clean up at present, and all manner of
souvenirs are surfacing from our distant past. Photos pop out of the most unlikely places,
as do school ties, badges, newspaper cuttings etc. Our archivists are keen to hear from
people wanting to offload their memorabilia. So what about school magazines? PLEASE - if
you come across copies and you no longer wish to keep them, dont even ask us - just
post them off to the Association at Pvt Bagm31909, Lower Hutt. We have had quite a number
of requests from people who have lost their copies and we will gladly find a new home for
your old magazines.
The AGM is set for the 17th March and we will start with a short social time with wine
and cheese. We look forward to seeing some of you there.
- Pam Stevenson
From the inbox
From Clyde Hurrell
(1943-46) clyde@xtra.co.nz
Chat code "The Kiwi who Flew" ...being no good at typing, I enrolled as a
pupil at Horowhenua College and have passed NZCC in Computing II and am now working on
III. I am a committed geneologist and this interest has taken me on trips to Britain and
Europe in 1997. Ill health now precludes further trips.
From David Thompson
(1959-62) dthompson@broadreach.com
Thanks for the Christmas Greetings letter. I was really happy to get the news and learn
of the reunion that is planned.....How about developing a page on the HVHS web site for
the Reunion - a one-stop electronic shop. Also why dont you consider emailing the
newsletter to those who respond with their email address - cant beat the cost. Good
luck and thanks - see you at the Reunion. (Good suggestions! Editor)
From Karin Rolls (Brown)
(1959-62) derekr@one.net.au
I would be very happy for anyone that know me to make contact -I would love to hear
from someone. I now live in Brisbane, Aust.
From Jennifer Hartman (Scott)
1984-88 (LpgPapa@aol.com)
I am trying to contact old classmates - I graduated in 1988. Is there anyway you can
help me? Also do they still hold reunions of any type? Next reunion is in 2001 - watch for
more details in later editions - Ed
From Nils (John) Powell
1954-59 (bini@tassie.net.au)
I dont know if it is a common experience, but I really only became interested in
my schooldays as I became older. Names tend to fade, but a look at old class photos brings
back a flood of recognition and with it the urge to find out more about those in the photo
beside me. As a retired airline pilot, and a stranger to NZ.it is difficult to remake old
friendships and acquaintances, so I hope you are successful in persuading others to make
contact.
Could I also make a plea for teachers to do the same? Whilst I am sure, to them, most
of us were just part of a sea of faces, for each of those faces there were teachers who
made a substantial contribution to any success we have achieved. From my own photos two
readily spring to mind - Mr Wilson who left me a lifelong enjoyment of literature and
reading and Miss Diana Fussell. I would like to come to a reunion, but it would be nice to
have established contacts.
Students View
Extract from "A History of the World"
by Richard Lederer
The inhabitants of Ancient Egypt were called mummies. They lived in the Sara Dessert
and travelled by camelot. The climate of the Sara is such that the inhabitants have to
live elsewhere, so certain areas of the dessert are cultivated by irritation.The Egyptions
built the pyramids in the shape of huge triangular cubes. The Pyramids are a range of
mountians between France and Spain.
Pharaoh forced the Hebrew slaves to make bread without straw. Moses led them to the Red
Sea where they made unleavened bread which is bread made without any ingredients. David
was a Hebrew King skilled at playing the liar. Solomon, one of Davids sons had 500
wives and 500 porcupines. (Mrs Malaprop had nothing on these!!)
School Snipets
Past Pupils Award
At the 7th Form Prizegiving last year the Past Pupils initiated a new award for up to
two students for "The most valued contribution to the Life of the School". The
award recognises students who have made an outstanding contribution to the school during
their senior years, in assisting others and undertaking extra responsibilites.
The recipients receive up to $800 towards their tertiary studies. The 1998 winners were
Brooke Vickerman and Vijayalingham Nellailingam. Congratulations to them both.
"Jazz Spectacular"
Following the success of the HVHS Big Band at last years Tauranga Jazz Festival,
they are once again travelling to Tauranga at Easter 1999. Their final concert prior to
departure to compete in Tauranga will be in the HVHS Hall on Tuesday 30th March at 7.30pm.
This is a great opportunity to hear this excellent band.All past pupils welcome! Call HVHS
Office for tickets and information.
Head Students
Head Prefects 1999 are Arun Stephens and Kay Ballantyne. Congratulations
to them.
Petone College - full circle
During the first school term of 1926, 164 foundation pupils of
HVHS used the Technical School building in Petone before moving in May to the Woburn Rd
site. Today in 1999, some pupils from HVHS are once again using the Petone College site
following that schools
Mini Reunion
1958 - 1962
A group of ex-pupils from this era have had 3 mini reunions during 1998. The first was
to welcome John (Shimon) Zelas and his wife, Jenny back to NZ, his first visit since
leaving for Israel 30 years ago. this get together at Bruce Drydens prompted Betsy
Larmer (Heaton) to have a Sunday night party for the group. The third was a dinner at the
Wellesly Cafe in Wellington. This was in honour of Michael Mitchell, the boys Head
Prefect in 1962, who is now domiciled in Rarotonga, but was on a business trip to NZ. The
girls Head Prefect of that year, Helen Ritchie (Hess) also attended.
What happened to the old Spire?
Many of you will recall the original building which was the first of
many on the Hutt Valley High School site. The imposing brick structure had a star above
the main doors with the words Ad Alta (to the heights) and a spire which
became central to the schools identity. The building was regarded as a superb piece
of architecture when it was built, but became a serious earthquake risk in the late
1960s following the Inangahua earthquake which forced some of the brick walls apart.
When work started on the redevelopment of the school site in 1970, the
spire was taken away after the demolition of the main brick building and we believe went
somewhere up the Ngauranga Gorge.
At the schools 50th Jubilee in 1976 former students decided to
use the Reunions proceeds to purchase it back for the school with the intention of
re-erecting it. The special issue school magazine said it would be "suitably honoured
...in the new complex". However, we are told by the present Principal, Graeme
Marshall, that what in fact happened was that "it was plonked under a hedge and
rotted. All the copper and lead had been stripped off it, no doubt providing lead weights
for people fishing off the bridge."
Several options were looked at for the refurbishment and relocation of
the spire, but in the event all proved too costly. It was never restored to its former
glory and was demolished and removed from the site in 1993.
A coloured rendering of the plans showing dimensions and details of the
spire is framed and hangs in the Hutt Valley High School administration block. Staff would
be pleased to show any past pupils who would like to see the drawing.
It is perhaps worth noting that today, the only original building which
exists on the school site is the wooden Assembly Hall, which, although only able to
accommodate one form level at a time, still does sterling service and is the venue for all
major school events and productions.
Notice Board
Sylvia Burch (Smith) a pupil from 1962-66 and Head Girl in 1966, has recently been
appointed to the position of Associate Principal (2nd Principal) of Hutt Valley High
School. She was formerly Head of Modern Languages at the school and replaces Joyce Wilson
who retired at the end of 1998.
Our congratulations go to her. Sir Thomas Eichelbaum NZ Chief Justice, was last year
awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Victoria University. Sir Thomas was a pupil at
HVHS from 1944 to 1948. In 1989 he became the 11th Chief Justice - the first to be
appointed from the judical ranks. During his career he has achieved prominence and won
great respect in a range of fields within the law profession. Many former pupils of HVHS
will be saddened to learn of the death of Daphne Daubin in April, 1998. She had been
attending a language course and travelling in Italy and died there as a result of a
traffic accident. She is remembered with great affection by the many language students
that she taught during her years at Hutt Valley High.
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