Birkenhead College Past Pupils

DUNCAN COLE MEMORIAL CUP 2024 match report.

The second annual Duncan Cole Memorial Cup match was played on the BC #1 field on Sunday, 18 August. The weather wasn’t as bad as last year, but showers and strong winds blew across the ground during the game, testing the umbrellas of spectators on the sideline.
The Alderman v Rotheray XIs featured returning players as well as a number of young, recent pupils debuting. Evan Cole made the trip down from Whangarei to pull his boots on. David Bhana switched codes, but still spent a lot of time on the ground in the tackle.
Dave Alderman’s play with the ball on the toe near the goal may have come as a surprise to his legs. A senior player kept goal well for a time but then left the field with cosmetic mud on his face that made him look a bit like the Phantom of the Opera.
A staff member was solid in defence but as the game wore on resorted to Olympic-style wrestling. From one such tackle, a penalty was awarded, with Ben Rotheray stepping up to take it. The resulting kick would have won him ‘the longest drive’ if it had been a golf tournament: the ball hit the crossbar and was last seen flying over the bush towards Rangatira Road.
When the full-time whistle sounded, there were smiles all round. The players congregated in the café, with Christine Cole presenting the cup to Dave Alderman for his side’s 10-6 win.
Our thanks to current students and past pupil Bridget who worked in the café, the ref, and the players. Many have already said they will be back for next year’s fixture, which will roll around quickly as we intend to hold earlier in the year again.

THE MATCH OF THE YEAR

Forget the Euros or Olympic tournament; the football clash of the year will be at BC between the Alderman and Rotheray XIs in the Cole Cup this Sunday afternoon. The ball is bound to be hitting the back of the new nets a lot, given that last year’s score (in atrocious weather) was 11-10. Kick off is at 2pm.
Our student baristas will be honing their skills in the café from 1.30pm. We will also have on sale our remaining blue Birkdale and white Birkenhead College tees (now only $30) and Jubilee yearbooks ($10).
All ages welcome. Be there or be square!

BC PARENTS' GROUP FUNDRAISER

The BC Parents’ Group is holding a movie fundraiser, scheduled for next Friday night (9th Aug) at The Bridgeway. It is a screening of Bookworm, starring Elijah Wood and filmed in NZ. All money raised gets poured straight back into our school, for the likes of scholarships and sports equipment, so it's a great cause!

It will be a lovely night, with drinks and snacks at 7.15pm, seated by 7.30 for spot prizes and online auction winners. Movie at 7.45pm. The ticket price of $30 includes a glass of wine, beer or a non-alcoholic drink.

We would love you to join us, or bid on an auction, to support the college. See the links below:

The link to book:

https://ticketing.oz.veezi.com/purchase/348493?siteToken=cf4esppshx7mcjpd1c5j74xc70

The link to the online auctions:

https://www.32auctions.com/Bookworm

BC OPEN NIGHT, JUNE 18

Yesterday a large number of pupils from Birkdale Intermediate were being shown around BC - munching on baking they had made - as an introduction to the college before becoming the new kids on the block next year. It was a really nice mix of young people, from those who have recently moved into the area to those who were looking for family and whanau members in the class photos hanging in T and S blocks.
For those considering enrolment of children to attend BC in 2025, you are most welcome to an Open Night on Tuesday, 18 June, beginning at 6pm.

FORM IV / YEAR 10 and 12 HISTORY TROPHY

In 1980, the Birkenhead Historical Society (now the Birkenhead Heritage Society) presented Birkdale College with the Cyril Crocombe Memorial Award for Form IV History. Mr Crocombe was a local businessman, mayor of Birkenhead from 1959-68 and first president of the BHS. The carver of this beautiful of piece of kauri was Warren Hutchinson.
On Saturday, the award was taken to the monthly BHS talk and meeting in the quaint museum next to the Birkenhead War Memorial Park. Members were delighted to see it, and read the names of the student recipients.
1980 Karen Shaw
1981 Kathryn Edgar
1982 Sharon Eastwood
1983 T Mooney
1984 J Garthwaite
1985 No plaque
1986 C Walker
1987 D McMillan
1988 A Keane
1989 F Kirby
1990 M Price
1991 N Mills
1992 Max Doran
1993 Dean Werder
1994 B Moorhead
1995 K Mullins
1996 S Wong
1997 R Hill
1998 R Clements
1999 L MacFarlane
2000 R Smidt
2001 L Jenkin
2002 N Amos
2003 L Cunningham
2004 S Jameson
2005 J Clements
2006 E Jameson
2007 M Phillips
2008 N Braid
2009 T Rabinowitz
2010 Sze Looi Chin
2011 Ashkan Bayrani-Virsagh
2012 Louisa Le Riche
2013 Shannon Boyle
2014 Melanie Saluni
2015 Arithon Rigney-Scott
2016 Natalie Heath
2017 Cassidy Tyler

If you are interested in our local history, here’s the heritage society’s website: https://www.birkenheadheritage.org.nz/

COLE CUP POSTPONED

It is with great disappointment that due to circumstances beyond our control, and on the advice of the school board, we have to postpone the Duncan Cole Memorial Cup match, which was due to be played at BC on May 19th.
Last year the playing fields had major drainage work done on them, and the expectation was they would be ready for play now. Unfortunately, they aren’t, due in part to the very dry summer. Remediation work that was to be undertaken has been delayed, apparently due to a nationwide shortage of pitch sand. If the game took place now, there may be more ankle injuries than goals scored, and we don't want that.
We do not want to take the game elsewhere, as this is a BC alumni event, and it is important it is held at the school, where there can also be interactions with current students. The fields being unfit for use at the moment also affects our school teams, which is disappointing for them. It's always good to play home games.
We thank the Cole family for their understanding, as well as those who were going to be taking the field or helping in the café.
As soon as we are able to set a new date for this year's game to be played, we will let you know.

ANOTHER PAST PUPIL HELPING CURRENT STUDENTS

Loyal alumnus and Find Recruitment director, Simon Rooney, has paid a couple of visits to BC to help Gateway students with their CVs. It is of great benefit to them having Simon share his expertise, as they prepare to move from school to work. Such support and interest in the college from past pupils is fantastic. Big thanks to Simon.

THE DUNCAN COLE MEMORIAL CUP MATCH, 2024

We have set the date for this year’s Cole Cup alumni match: Sunday 19th May. Kick-off will be 2pm at the college. Spectators of all ages and ears are most welcome.The school café will be open for coffee and snacks. Last year’s game was played in atrocious conditions and narrowly won by the Alderman XI over the Rotheray XI. It’s great that a number of players who participated last year have already expressed their keenness to be in this year’s fixture.
If you are interested in playing, please contact Ben Rotheray (BC's Director of Football): [email protected]
Please note that, in the interests of safety, the on-field play is ‘competitive’, for want of a better expression. The majority of those taking part - men and women - are club players.

BC ALUMNI TEACHER TRAINEES AND NEW TEACHERS

We currently have three past-pupils as student teachers at BC. Alexis Nuttney, (nee Norton,1988-1992), Mackenzie Seyb (2013-2017) and Joshiel Ingram, nee Espino, (2008-2012) have returned to the place where it all began. It's been a bit weird for Joshiel and Mackenzie to call their former teachers by their first names! They are enjoying being back at BC, and we are delighted to see them, and assist them towards teaching careers.
Also standing at the front of a classroom is 1987 Head Boy and well-known thespian, Stephen Butterworth, in his first year of teaching at James Cook High School.
Stuart Lees, who was in the same year at BC as Stephen, contacted us to say that he ‘started teaching last year at a secondary school in Melbourne; Carrum Downs Secondary. I’m teaching Physics, Science, Maths, Engineering, STEAM and Electronics to Grade 8, 9 and 10 (Years 9, 10 and 11 in the NZ system). I’m loving teaching, and was very influenced by my experiences at BC.’ Thanks for getting in touch, Stuart.

BEAUTIFUL DAY IN BIRKDALE

The school year is underway and BC has a bumper number of Year 9s finding their way around the college.
Yesterday, senior students were Valentining in and out of classrooms and there was a lunch time concert, including a great sing-a-long by Filipino students.
We are very pleased to congratulate students who achieved scholarships in last year’s exams: Samantha Nicole Castillo (Photography), Rafabelle Bastida (Design) and Dom Hawkins in FIVE subjects (Physics, Biology, Calculus, Statistics and Chemistry). Rafabelle’s design board has also been chosen to tour the country in the annual NCEA exhibition.
Planning has begun for this year’s Duncan Cole Memorial Cup alumni football game, and we will announce the date soon.

INDOOR SPORTS NEWS

First up, a big congratulations to Oban Hawkins who was part of the Futsal Whites who became the first NZ futsal team to qualify for a FIFA Futsal World Cup. The team will play against the world’s best in Uzbekistan this time next year.
If you’ve seen the latest Meadow Fresh ad featuring NZ’s greatest ever basketballer, Steven Adams, you may have recognised the gym the ad was filmed in. Yes, it was BC’s sports centre!
Steven and the film crew spent a day at BC. He was spotted by several students during the day, and at one point when he was briefly outside, said they could have selfies with him at the end of the day. The patient students waited after school and sure enough, Adams came out for selfies, a bit of chat, and to sign a BC basketball singlet. Thanks, Steven, that was such a thrill for our students!

ALUMNI BACK AT BC, AND MR PETERS' DAUGHTER RESPONDS TO OUR POST

What a stunning day it is in Birkdale today. 24 degrees in the shade! (True.)
Student pre-enrolments for 2024 are open and it has been great to see a number of past pupils (some we saw at the jubilee) bringing in their children to be a future part of BC life.
Here’s a nice alumni story: a few days ago, a staff member came across an older couple who were loitering (haha) outside the school gates. It turns out, the woman had been a foundation pupil and hadn’t been able to make it across from Australia for the jubilee, but had heard great reports about the weekend.
As they were in Auckland for a few days, they decided to swing by BC, which the woman said she had very fond memories of. They were invited in, had a look at the heritage memorabilia around Admin and then went on their happy way.
Finally, after the massively-liked post on Mr Peters' visit, his daughter Sarah has posted a message of thanks:
'Thanks everyone for all the lovely comments about Dad. He was chuffed to read them all and remembers so many names fondly.'

A SPECIAL VISITOR TODAY

A surprise visitor popped into school today: Graham Peters. (For those of you wondering, he is, believe it or not, 88.) He jokingly asked if he was too late for the Jubilee!
It was great to see him. He caught up with a number of staff, including current PE teachers Tom Allan, Dave Alderman and HoD, Jenni Dryburgh.
A real BC legend!

2023 COLLEGE PRODUCTION: ED SHEERAN TASTES LIKE CHICKEN!

Opens tomorrow night, Wed. August 2, in the BGT.
Tickets from humanitix.com/nz

Set in a world where Miniature Ed Sheerans live peacefully in the wild, Hannah (H for short)—a feisty, roller-derby-playing adventure guide—must protect the last remaining Miniature Ed Sheerans from the ruthless hunting practices of BARRACUDA INDUSTRIES, a heartless global corporation.
Things take a desperate turn when an injured Miniature Ed Sheeran rescued by H is kidnapped by BARRACUDA INDUSTRIES thugs who plan to sell it to the highest bidder.
Or turn it into sausages!
H recruits a group of unlikely heroes and races against time in a play which uses comedy and elements of the absurd to expose the true absurdity of the real situation facing the world’s last Maui dolphins in New Zealand and the critically endangered Vaquita dolphins in Mexico...

BC ALUMNI IN THE NEWS

Several BC past pupils have been in the news recently (and the talk of the staff room), achieving great things in the creative arts and sport.
Leonard Hill was named Top Designer at id Dunedin Fashion Week in May for his collection, Laughing Gas. He was profiled in the NZ Herald’s Viva lift-out.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/viva/fashion/id-dunedins-top-nz-designer-leonard-hill-on-sustainability-storytelling-speculative-design/VM4DVJ7UXFDWVGJ3HPHWIMXTBU/
Recent past pupil Latamai Katoa won the Alex Mao Award in the 2023 Auckland Photography Festival. This is just one example of his recent photography successes. We hear he’s had to get a passport as he's off to Washington, soon.
https://www.photographyfestival.org.nz/awards/youth-award.cfm
Alumni All White Bill Tuiloma was in the frame when the NZ footballers took exception to a racial slur directed at teammate Michael Boxhall in the recent match against Qatar. To their credit, the All Whites refused to return to the field after half-time due to the referee not taking any on-field action against the Qatari player.

2022 GOLDEN JUBILEE YEARBOOKS FOR SALE

We still have copies of the commemorative 2022 Golden Jubilee yearbook for sale. ($25 incl. post to anywhere in NZ.)
As well as last year’s school happenings, it contains photo galleries of Birkdale/Birkenhead college life and activities. There are reminiscences from Vanessa Lane (the first Head Girl) and Foundation pupil, Geoff Pooch. Every yearbook cover is in there, along with an accompanying piece of trivia and a list of students and staff who worked on yearbooks through the decades.
These were very popular with our school families last year, as well as alumni at the jubilee weekend.
To purchase yours, click on this link to our college website:
https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/23584

TEES ARE ON SALE...AND HEADING TO ALL PARTS OF NZ!

The Birkdale and Birkenhead fundraising tees are selling via the Alumni page on our college website.
https://www.birkenhead.school.nz/alumni
Please read the instructions carefully. It’s very straight forward for those of you purchasing in NZ. For those of you overseas, please contact us through that website page and we will quote you postage. Prices to international destinations have gone crazy over the past couple of years. (If you know someone who is going to be travelling overseas, you might want to get them to put a tee or two in their luggage.)
Today’s photos were sent to us by proud past pupils wearing their tees in the Auckland Airport Koru Lounge and at a craft brewery in Nelson.
Send us pics of you in a Birkdale / Birkenhead logo tee. It could be with other alumni, in front of a well-known landmark, with somebody ‘famous’ etc. (No AI photos accepted!)

GOLDEN JUBILEE SOUVENIR

We continue to receive emails from past pupils and staff who thoroughly enjoyed themselves over the Golden Jubilee weekend. Thanks to all who have taken the time to contact us.
For those of you who haven't registered to receive our alumni e-newsletters, here is a link to a souvenir photo spread that was put together by our librarian, Melissa Elliott.
https://www.sporty.co.nz/asset/downloadasset?id=8e0b5dbf-6a9c-4ba8-9aab-9ea403b56d53
We look forward to the 75th!

IT’S ALL OVER and FINAL RAFFLE WINNERS

It was a ‘Teachers only’ day here at Birkenhead College so it has seemed very quiet as we have done the final clean up after a busy weekend. It was great to see so many past-pupils, teachers and their families back here at BC. We have been receiving some lovely emails today from people who had a great time on Saturday and Sunday. They are much appreciated.
There is good news for the following people who have won the last of the raffle prizes:

SUNDAY CHELSEA HAMPER: Maria Morunga
PAPER PLUS GLENFIELD HAMPER: Janine Keating
TOOGEES BLOW WAVE VOUCHER: Kim Weston
BLITZA PIZZA VOUCHER: Alison Purdie
GOOD HOME BIRKENHEAD Voucher: Dayl Jones
REAL BURGERS HIGHBURY VOUCHER: Lina Algar
BIRKENHEAD BREWING CO. VOUCHER: Malcolm Anderson-Lambert
SAL’S PIZZA VOUCHERS: Tina Earnshaw
THE HAVEN VOUCHER: Simon Rooney

We have tried to contact you all by text, but if you haven’t heard from us directly, your prize can be collected from Reception at BC.
We will send out a full round up of the weekend when we’ve recovered!
If you’re still not on our alumni and past staff database, you can join here: https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/200051

JUBILEE SUNDAY and RAFFLE WINNERS

It’s the final day of our Golden Jubilee celebrations. The weather isn’t looking the best but today’s programme is:

1100am Gates open. Jubilee Café serving Foundation coffee. Tee shirts, old photos, raffles and yearbooks (including the commemorative 50 years 2022 magazine) for sale. T-Block corridors of old photos open. Musical performances by students.
1230 Children’s author and past pupil, Sally Sutton, will be in the library. This is a great opportunity for children up to the age of 8 to hear and meet Sally.
1330 Drama and Music get-together in the Brian Gerrard Theatre
1415 Football: Alderman XI v Rotheray XI for the Duncan Cole Memorial Cup
Congratulations to yesterday’s raffle winners:
Chelsea Hamper: Julie Cottrell
Elements medi-spa and beauty voucher: Sue Newman
Toogees blow wave voucher: Henry Barfoot
Real Burgers voucher: Ryan Bradley
Good Home voucher: Simon Rooney
Blitza Pizza voucher: Kerryn Clark
Sal’s $50 voucher: Beth Carpendale
Sal’s $25 voucher: Donna Ruth
Your prizes can be collected from the Jubilee café merchandise table after midday.

FINALLY…IT’S TOMORROW!

We had an amazing powhiri to begin our celebrations this morning. Here are some tips to make the jubilee weekend a bit easier for all:
- Our Enviro Group students are committed to making our weekend a ‘Zero Waste’ event. We are using re-usable mugs for our hot drinks, are committed to recycling and have support from our local Kaipātiki Project and Auckland Council. Please assist our students in this goal.
- Our college is smoke and vape-free.
- On-site parking will be at a premium, so please do not expect to be able to park at the front door, especially if it is wet. Auckland Transport have yellow-lined areas around the front of the college so we suggest car-pooling, walking, taking a bus or parking in neighbouring streets i.e. from Paramu Ave you can walk through Aplin Place to Birkdale Rd. The front of the college is perfect as a drop-off area.
- Use Eft-pos or cash when you buy those old yearbooks, retro tees, Foundation coffee etc.
- We have prepared names tags that are colour-coded by decade. (Teachers have gold stars!) All you have to do is write your name on one of them.
- Finally, please be supportive and patient with our students, staff and volunteers. They are all giving their time to make the weekend the best they can for the BC community.
Catch ya!

BC GOLDEN JUBILEE WEEKEND SCHEDULE (FINAL)

Here is our final official schedule of events for Saturday and Sunday. One or two things may be subject to change depending on the weather, Covid etc. Keep your fingers and toes crossed!

SATURDAY 29th APRIL
Gates open 10:30am
1030-1600 ‘Jubilee Café’ open: here we will have raffle tickets, silent auction, limited edition jubilee merchandise, old yearbooks and photos for sale. Displays and book of memories in the library. Sports centre open for basketball and volleyball. Sausage sizzle and wild meats.
1200-1500 Rocket launches. Musical performances by BC students.
1300 Foundation pupils and teachers' photo. Meet at Jubilee café.
1315 Former staff get-together (Staff room).
1430 ‘Meet the teacher’ Jubilee Café and library.
1830-2330 ‘School Social’ 70s and 80s fundraiser, Birkenhead RSA. No door sales. Drinks at RSA prices. Prizes for best dressed

SUNDAY 30 APRIL
Gates open 11:00am
1100-1600 ‘Jubilee Café’ open: here we will have raffle tickets, silent auction, limited edition jubilee merchandise, old yearbooks and photos for sale. Displays and book of memories in the library. Sports Centre open for basketball and volleyball. Sausage sizzle.
1200-1500 Musical performances by BC students. Rocket launches.
1230-1300 Special kids’ session: bring your under-8 children/grandchildren to hear best-selling and award-winning author Sally Sutton (BC Head Girl 1990) read from her books in the Brian Gerrard Theatre
1330 Drama/Music reunion in the Brian Gerrard Theatre.
1415 Past pupils’ football: Alderman XI v Rotheray XI for the ‘Duncan Cole Memorial Cup’.

REMEMBERING BRIAN GERRARD
We were delighted to receive a ‘Congratulations’ card from the daughters of the late Brian Gerrard, principal of Birkdale College from 1972-86. They wished us well for the weekend. We are sure Mr. Gerrard will be in the thoughts and conversations of many over the next few days.

IMPORTANT PIECES OF INFORMATION:

- The RSA ‘School Social’ is a ticket-less event. The email you received upon purchasing your ticket/s is all you need to bring to the door on Saturday.
- There has been a last-minute flurry of teachers wanting to join us on Saturday for the ‘Meet the Teacher’ session (starts 2:30pm). The names are below. They will be either in the Jubilee Cafe or the school library to say hello to past pupils - see if they recognise you!
- Finally, the schedule and other information will again be posted on the Birkenhead College Past Pupils page before Friday. Our page and the newsletter updates from the college (to those who have registered on the alumni database) are the official jubilee notifications. Please read them thoroughly. It will make life much easier for our VERY busy staff who are flat out doing final preparations for the jubilee weekend as well as their normal teaching/admin roles.
The countdown continues...

GOLDEN JUBILEE 'SCHOOL SOCIAL' UPDATE

There is just one week left to buy your tickets for the jubilee ‘School Social’ at the Birkenhead RSA on Saturday 29th April.
So far over [updated] 170 tickets have been sold. You can get yours here: https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/231495
This is the major fundraising event of the Golden Jubilee weekend. It’s an opportunity to dress up, get together with old school friends over a drink (or three) and dredge up a few memories and tall stories to a soundtrack of music from 1972-1989, including songs from some of the bands who visited BC for lunchtime concerts. Remember them? Crocodiles, Mockers…
So that we know numbers for catering, we will be closing ticket sales at the end of next Tuesday. There won't be door sales.
We also encourage you to support the RSA on Poppy Day and our very accommodating local Birkenhead club on Anzac Day.

UPDATED JUBILEE WEEKEND SCHEDULE

The school term is about to end and when we come back from the holidays the jubilee will be upon us. Today's photo is of the hard-working past pupils who have been part of the jubilee committee working with the college: Simon Rooney, Wayne Haig (who has come on board to assist our barista students), Nikki Vance, Karin McGrail and Amanda Cooper. They are modelling the cool limited edition retro tees and double-logo mugs which will be part of our merchandise on sale over the jubilee weekend.

The updated weekend schedule is as follows:

FRIDAY 28TH APRIL

A normal school day
9.30am Powhiri lead by past pupil Matua Norman Beazley, followed by refreshments in the Jubilee Café

SATURDAY 29th APRIL
Gates open 1030am
1030-1600 ‘Jubilee Café’ open. Here we will also be selling raffle tickets, limited edition jubilee merchandise, old yearbooks and photos. Sports Centre open for basketball and volleyball
1200-1500 Rocket launches. Musical performances by BC students
1300 Foundation pupils’ photo
1315 Former staff get-together
1430 ‘Meet the teacher’ Jubilee Café and library *
1830-2330 ‘School Social’ 70s and 80s fundraiser, Birkenhead RSA. $50 tickets, no door sales. Drinks at RSA prices. Get out your flares, hippy skirts, leather jackets with safety pins, boat shoes or fingerless lace gloves. Prizes for best dressed.
Buy tickets here: https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/231495

SUNDAY 30 APRIL

Gates open 1100
1100-1600 ‘Jubilee Café’ open. Here we will also be selling raffle tickets, limited edition jubilee merchandise, old yearbooks and photos. Sports Centre open for basketball and volleyball
1200-1500 Musical performances by BC students
1230-1300 Special kids’ session: bring your young children/grandchildren to hear best-selling and award-winning author Sally Sutton (BC Head Girl 1990) read from her books in the Brian Gerrard Theatre
1300 Rocket launches
1330 Drama/Music reunion in the Brian Gerrard Theatre
1415 Past pupils’ football: Alderman XI v Rotheray XI football for the ‘Duncan Cole Memorial Cup’
Duncan was a Foundation pupil and All White for a decade, including the legendary 1981/82 World Cup campaign.

*MEET THE TEACHER
We are excited to let you know that so far the following past/present staff have confirmed they will be at BC on the Saturday afternoon:

Mr Kumar Mrs Kumar Mrs Bartlett (nee Hurd) Mr Blenkinsopp Mrs Bradley Mrs Byrne Mr Cato Mrs Catran Mrs Deeks Ms Eichstaedt Ms Jowesy Mrs Kelly Mr Kelly Mrs Lynch Ms McCavana Mr McKissock Mr Page
Mrs Pasley Mrs Pearce Mrs Plummer Ms Purd
Mr Riseborough Mrs Thomas Mrs Verry Mr Willis

BC JUBILEE SCHOOL SOCIAL TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

*** Update (as of 17 April): 150 tickets sold!***

Tickets for the Golden Jubilee School Social (at the Birkenhead RSA, Sat. 29th April) are now on sale. Get a group together and click the link below:
https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/231495
There is a limit of four tickets per purchase and small transaction fees apply. Please bring your confirmation of purchase with you on the night.
Alumni, partners, past staff all welcome. Don't forget to dress up in 70s or 80s gear (even if you weren't at BC then), if the mood takes you.
Be there or be square!

BC GOLDEN JUBILEE WEEKEND: WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Six weeks to go until the Golden Jubilee!
Things have been very busy at the college in preparation for the jubilee, and amongst our small yet dedicated past pupils' committee and other contributors.
Now, we need your help with some specific tasks on Saturday 29th April and Sunday 30th April.
BARISTAS: if you are a past pupil with barista experience, we would really appreciate you being able to work with our small team of competent Year 13 baristas in the ‘Jubilee Café’. If you can give us an hour or two between 10.30am and 4pm (latest) on the Saturday or Sunday that would be fantastic.
SAUSAGE SIZZLERS: we need a few more hands to help cook and dish out the bangers on Saturday and Sunday. We don’t expect you to be at the super Recreation Services-supplied bbq all day, but an hour or two would be great. Speaking of sausages, closer to the weekend, we would also greatly appreciate any donations of pre-cooked sausages.
Finally, we need helpers for our merchandise and name tags tables which will be in the Jubilee Café.
If you can assist, or want more info, please message us or email [email protected]
We can’t do it without you!

GOLDEN JUBILEE ‘SCHOOL SOCIAL’ INFORMATION

Here’s a bit of info about purchasing tickets for the ‘School Social’ at the Birkenhead RSA on Saturday April 29th.
Tickets will available through the college website in the next week.
As we have said for a few months now, those who have registered with the Alumni database will be the first to be notified of jubilee happenings and this includes when tickets go on sale. If you have not joined the Alumni database yet, you can still do so by following this link: https://www.birkenhead.school.nz/Our-School/our-heritage
There will be 380 tickets available, with a limit of 4 tickets per person.
Credit card charges will apply.
Now go and find your finger-less lace gloves, dust off your Skellerup Allstars, iron your Miami Vice pastel shirts and polish up your hair springs!

Q&A WITH PRUE KELLY, FORMER DEPUTY PRINCIPAL AND STAFF MEMBER 1980-1994

What street were you living in when on the staff at Birkdale College?
I was living at 195 Onewa Rd, on the corner of Aorangi Place.

What were your first impressions of Birkdale College?
It was my first teaching job at a secondary school (previously was primary). My first impressions were the kids were great, staff were friendly and having some non-teaching time was a bonus.

What recollections do you have of first principal, Brian Gerrard?
Brian Gerrard was a great man. The place was never the same after him. He was kind, friendly and fair. He had great expectations of, and for, everyone in the school and within the school community which was his focus. He trusted his staff and if you went to him with a nutty idea he mightn’t be convinced but would let you have a go and you‘d know he would have your back if it went awry.

You are very fondly remembered by many former students (particularly softballers!) What are some personal highlights of your time at BC?
I really enjoyed my time at BC and I could say everyday was a highlight but some standouts were:
- My first and only form class 4Kl were a challenging, diverse bunch.
- My Dean’s Year: the cohort that began in 1982, I think. Kathryn McKinney and Steven Butterworth ended up Head Boy and Girl with an exceptional group around them. I will never forget Kathryn’s ‘gunna’ speech at one assembly which was so brave.
- Third form camps to Motutapu and Dobbie’s great archaeology lessons.
- School dances in the H Block hall and courtyard with the challenge of stopping kids coming over the roof and stopping kids smoking!
- The Fashion Show spectaculars; the way the kids put those together never failed to amaze me. They managed to get an amazing array of clothes from shops for the night.
- And, of course, softball: Boys National Champs in 1985. That last game against Te Aute was so exciting, with their supporters chanting and rattling stones in tins. It didn’t upset our chaps. The girls were always there, too, runners-up in 1987 (I think). They nearly made it. It was so close. I didn’t do much. When I went to BC, so many kids had their gloves at school and were chucking to each other every spare minute. It was a no brainer to get them competing. All I did was get things organised. Families like the Tawhais, Hikis and Thompsons did the real work. They coached and when the teams won their way to Nationals, which they did most years, got a great fundraising machine in action. All I did was run a few school dances, provide transport when needed and be there. I thought those kids were great and enjoyed their company.

You left BC when appointed principal at Wellington High School. Apart from a renaming, had BC changed much from when you first began teaching there?
I thought BC had changed quite a lot with a new focus beyond the current school community and greater concern about how things looked rather than what was happening within the school hence the name change, new admin area, new logo, new blazers and key staff changes. I wondered at some of the changes, so after 15 great years it was time to go.

Will we see you at the jubilee celebrations?
Yep!