Woodlands Full Primary School reaches a significant milestone on Waitangi Weekend, when it celebrates 150 years’ of education in the small rural Southland town.

At least 250 former pupils and teachers have registered for the jubilee celebration from February 5-7, but late registrations are being accepted, jubilee committee treasurer Glynis Thomson said this week.

“We are really not bad with registrations, though there are not as many as at the 125 years. We’ve got 250 at the moment compared to 400 or so last time,” she said.

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The primary school is a full primary school, meaning it runs from new entrants right up to years seven and eight (in former times, known as form one and form two).

The Woodlands school was founded in 1871 and is now one of the bigger rural primary schools in the district, with a roll of about 100 pupils, representing about 70 families in the local community.

The school history was published in a book by Margaret Trotter in 1996 called Early Woodlands and Today.

Trotter revealed the original school opened with a roll of 25 boys and 23 girls, who travelled to school in spring carts. Later, they had the thrill of being able to catch a train to school.

The school is still on its original site and retains an old earth school building, but bigger buildings were built in 1953. The opening was attended by about 300 people.

An old school bus which Mr Calder drove for many years. It is now in the Richardson’s car museum painted yellow.

Mrs Thomson attended the last two jubilees. She was a Woodlands pupil in the 1970s and is now aged 56.

The 150th celebration would be an opportunity to catch up with old friends and reminisce, she said.

“Registrations are still being accepted . . . We can take a few more. We would like as many as possible,” she said.

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The event runs over three days, beginning on Friday February 5 with a welcome and supper at the Woodlands Rugby Club. 

Activities include photos, tours, entertainment, historic and car displays, a church service and a lunch.

More information about the jubilee programme and how to register is available HERE.