Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 27, September 1983
The 50th Jubilee reunion of the Waihi District High School attracted 1,000 old pupils from as far away as Australia, Kaitaia in the North Island and Christchurch in the South Island. The celebrations, held during Labour weekend 1982, included an official reunion dinner in Waihi's Drill Hall attended by 650, more then had ever been accommodated in the Drill Hall. There were so many attending the Cabaret on Saturday evening that a large marquee had to be erected at the rear of the Memorial Hall.
Proceedings commenced on Saturday afternoon when past pupils and Teachers assembled in decades in Seddon Street and marched up Moresby Avenue to the South School which was the site of the old District High School. Official photographs were taken and after refreshments in the school building, the official opening took place. President of the Reunion Committee, Bernard Lambert, welcomed everyone and introduced the speakers. These included: Waihi's Mayor, Owen Morgan, himself an old pupil; the Member for Kaimai, Mr. Bruce Townshend, and Mr. Collings of the South Auckland Education Board.
The Guest Speaker was Mrs. Pat Morton who officially opened the proceedings by calling the roll of first day pupils. Mrs. Morton as Miss C. Paterson was a first day Teacher at the High School.
In 1980 the High School formed part of the old Central School. After the Central School was burnt down in 1931 until the first term of 1932 the school used every available space for classes. When it reopened after the May holidays in 1932 it became a Form 1-6 High School. The Headmaster at that time was Mr. F.K. Slevin with a teaching staff of 13.
The School closed in 1959 after the May holidays but not without producing some distinguished students which included two ex-members of Parliament, a District Commissioner of Taxes, a District Public Trustee, an Olympic gold medallist, a Commissioner of Raratonga, headmasters, Teachers and a Mayor. The reunion celebrations concluded with a thanksgiving service on Sunday in the Memorial Hall. Treasurer of the Reunion Committee Miss Freda Butcher, herself a first day pupil, described the reunion as an unqualified success.