MEDIA RELEASE
June 16, 2008
For Immediate Use
School on Sunday for Onehunga students!
One of Auckland’s oldest sites of education celebrates 160 years.
Students at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary and Intermediate School in Onehunga will have a special treat this Sunday – a
full school day!
To celebrate the anniversary of 160 years of Catholic education on the site the school will be open for business and
running a normal school day this Sunday.
Principal Andy Thompson said that the site of the current school is one of the oldest places of education in Auckland.
‘Not many schools can link their past to the same decade as the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi”. In its various
guises we have provided education on this site for 160 continuous years.’
To celebrate this achievement Mr Thompson said the school board of trustees decided to do something a little bit
different.
“We didn’t want this to be just any day, but one to remember” said Mr Thompson.
“We also wanted to give past students, parents and the community at large a chance to celebrate with us, but many of
them work during the week. So we decided to hold school on a Sunday!”
Classes will be held as normal, with visitors being able to see a variety of teaching and learning activities along with
lunch time sports. A school mass will be held and the Catholic Bishop of Auckland – Bishop Pat Dunn – will preside over
a ceremony to bless a number of new classrooms at the school.
Past students of the school include ex All Black winger John Kirwan, ex Kiwi Monty Betham and well known businessman
Mark Hotchin.
ends