Long term Te Miro residents (from left) Heather and John Taylor and Lyall and Cabby Keyte plant a centenary tree. Photo: Lou Kibby Photography.
More than 280 people gathered for the twice-delayed Te Miro School and District Centenary last Saturday 10.
“We were thrilled to be able to hold the event after having to postpone due to Covid 19 in March 2020 and then again last month,” said organising committee member Matt Keyte.
“It was a great feeling knowing that all the hard work was worth it.”
More than three years of planning went into the 100th birthday celebrations.
Past and present pupils, staff and residents of the school and district enjoyed morning tea in the Te Miro Settlers Hall on Saturday before the bell rang to kick off the formalities.
The official programme, MCed by former principal Waveney Parker, began in a marquee on the school grounds with speeches from Waipā mayor Jim Mylchreest, MP for Waikato Tim Van Der Molen, Ngati Haua representative Fred Haimona and Te Miro School principal Michaela Phillips, along with past and present pupils.
The school’s oldest living former pupil, Rose-May Scott (nee Keyte), who attended the school from 1940-1947, teamed up with youngest current pupils Darcy Kilgour and Rowen Taylor to cut the birthday cake.
After lunch there were class photos, a ceremonial tree planting and bus tours of the district led by Matt Keyte, followed by dinner and dancing.
Former Te Miro School pupil Rose-May Scott (nee Keyte) cuts the centenary cake with current youngest pupils Darcy Kilgour and Rowen Taylor. Photo: Lou Kibby Photography.
“Everyone had a great time and kept coming up to thank us for the day,” Matt said.
More than 280 people gather in the centenary marquee at Te Miro School. Photo: Lou Kibby Photography.
“Huge thanks to our community for the way it got behind this event. Nik Pierce produced a special centenary book that we released last year after our first postponement, there were displays at the school and the local hall, and there’s currently a great Te Miro display on at Cambridge Museum.”
Long-time Te Miro resident Bob McQueen said the centenary had been “wonderful”.
“Thanks to the committee for its persistence in coming through the frustration of two cancellations and delivering a great day,” he said. “It was very professionally done.”
Te Miro School opened on March 8, 1920 with one teacher, one classroom and a roll of 10 children and now has four teachers, two teacher aides, three classrooms and 46 students.
