Lake Rotoiti School celebrates 75 years

When Lake Rotoiti School opened in 1949, there was only one room, no power, and a pot belly fire to make hot drinks.

Seventy-five years on and a reunion is being organised for 26 October to celebrate how far the school has come and, of course, for people to catch up and reminisce.

The organiser of the reunion is ex-pupil Alistair Nicholls, who is also now on the school’s board of trustees.

“It’ll be a low-key event to catch up with old friends and tour the school,” he says.

Alistair grew up on a now third-generation family farm in Kikiwa and started at the school in 1974. His grandson now attends the school.

“My siblings and I used to hop on the rattly old bus every day. The school was tiny with one classroom and a couple of long drops, it was very cold in the winter,” he says.

He remembers the school community as being “one big family”.

“If your parents weren’t available to meet the bus, you’d go to another kids’ house until teatime.”

The first teacher at the school was Bill Rowling, later to become Sir Bill Rowling and Prime Minister of New Zealand.

The school first got power on 5 November, 1958.

Currently, the school has two teachers and 22 children enrolled.

The school now has a heated swimming pool, which children also learn to sail on before they transfer their skills to the lake.

During 2022/23 the oldest building in the school was completely refurbished.

Alistair says there will be the longstanding tradition of the ‘east vs west’  tug of war at the reunion.

“We anticipate a few scores to be settled among certain people.”

They will also be bringing out some of the old school-yard games they used to play.

“Some of them might be completely illegal now,” Alistair laughs.

Then it will be time for a cup of tea, followed by an evening meal.

So far, around 100 people have expressed interest in attending, with some coming from Waitaki and Marlborough.

“We want people to tell their old classmates and encourage them to come.”

Alistair says they have secured some sponsorship and support to run the event, so there is no cost to attend, although a koha can be made if people are able.

“We just want people to have a catch-up.”

The Lake Rotoiti School 75th reunion is on Saturday, 26 October from 2pm-8pm at the school. RSVP to ali.sue.nicholls@xtra.co.nz or 0212660771.