Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 32, September 1988
Held in October 1987 the 80th Reunion Celebrations of the Waihi East School attracted 360 registrations which included nine first year pupils together with several long-serving and elderly teachers.
The school had previously held its Golden Jubilee in 1957 and in 1973 a reunion to mark the changeover to the new school buildings.
The oldest pupil present was Mrs. Addie Brown of Waihi Beach. Others included Steve Prisk (Te Awamutu), Dick Leach (Waihi), Fred Speak (Hamilton), Jim Birse (Whangamata), Vendy Dean, Ted O'Shea, Anna Hamilton and Nelson Daley. Teachers included Mrs. Nell Climie (nee Scott) who was a pupil teacher in 1913 for three years and who cut the reunion cake; Miss Hazel Landy who was both a pupil and teacher - a pupil from 1912-22 and taught for 35 years. Mrs. Tui Grant who taught from 1939-1980, called the rolls from 1927 onwards.
Longest serving Principal, Mr. John Leonard(1966-1982), now of Rotorua, said that the community was the strength of the school. Present day Principal, Mr. Gary Moss, gave a brief history of the school and its buildings over the years. One of the highlights was the production of an historical booklet of the school's history by Mr. Moss which had proved difficult as the records had been lost when a fire had destroyed the original school building in 1939.