Port Macquarie High School celebrated its 50th anniversary in reminiscent style on the weekend.
The Port Macquarie High School’s Art Exhibition was officially opened on Friday evening at the Glasshouse and the guest speakers included the Director of Schools in the Hastings, Mark Youngblutt, and former art teacher and head teacher Jim Matsinos, now retired.
The exhibition included works from former students and from Jill Cairns, a former art teacher at the school.
Among the exhibitors were Samantha Wills, who has become famous for her jewellery worn by Hollywood stars.
Karen Borger showed one of her early films before she moved to work with Walt Disney studios. Well known artist Wendy Stokes was present as was Andrew Dennis, Kerrie Hill, Andrew Murray and Jill Cairns.
Others to exhibit were Belinda Howden, Sophie Holvast, George Hatsatouris, Nancy Bevington, Trev Clay and Angie Matsinos.
Just as the exhibition closed at 7pm the school concert was beginning at the school’s Multi-Purpose Centre. The evening had an array of wonderful performances by current and past students including Jason Noble who came straight from performing at the Opera House, Jamie Lee-Johnson with her magnificent voice and Jim Matsinos, accompanied by Miriam Lattimore, both of whom are always very professional.
The Big Band performance was a huge crowd favourite.
Saturday saw the school open for tours and many past students and teachers went along to check out the changes that were evident from their days at the school.
Classrooms were set up with music and displays from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s.
Some spent time watching the cricket game organised by P.E. head teacher, Geoff Duck, and played by former students and some current staff members which was followed by a ceremonial burning of the ashes.
In the early afternoon the Hastings Highland Pipe Band marched onto the playground.
Principal Mark Longstaff addressed the gathering and pointed to the significance of holding the opening ceremony near the steps where the first official assembly took place in 1962 when the school first opened its doors to students.
One of the earliest teachers to use the new facilities in 1962, and former principal, Richard Grimmond, was present and welcomed the assembled visitors.
Mr Grimmond also writes the history column for the Independent newspaper.
Mr Grimmond went on to become a Principal and transferred back to Port Macquarie High School in 1985 as Principal when Gordon Milne retired.
Other invited guests were Gwen Grimmond, Kath Condon and her son Michael.
Mrs Condon is the widow of the late Stan Condon who was the high school’s first principal.
David Brown, the school’s fifth principal was also present.
The current vice captain, Jackson Blythe, spoke about what it is like to be a student at Port Macquarie High School today and invited everyone to participate in the burial of a time capsule at the foot of the two flagpoles. Students from Year 8 were on hand to conduct the placement of the capsule into position to be opened in 2037.
The most important event of the weekend was the official dinner-dance at the Panthers Club at 7pm.
After the toast to the school by one of the first captains from 1962, Kelvin Avery, the large audience also heard from guest speakers, Jane Goldsmith, Peter Cuskelly and Lyn March.
The evening’s formalities were rounded off` by three of the school’s principals accompanied by Kath Condon cutting the anniversary cake which was later distributed to tables by the school captains.
The school held a second Open Day on Sunday and many more visitors took advantage of the opportunity to visit, meet with some of their old teachers and buy the 50th anniversary history book and other souvenirs.
Other 50th anniversary activities are in the planning stages for later this year.
