1962 HBHS Reunion

On Friday 3rd August, HBHS hosted the 1962 Leavers. It was the first time that we had organized a reunion on a weekday whilst the school was still in session, but it was a fantastic success.

At 10.00am, our Old Boys began to arrive, immediately recognizing old school chums and getting down to the serious business of catching up on 50 years of news. There was a huge buzz as the condensed highlights of each other’s lives were quickly exchanged. It seemed a shame to disturb the connections for morning tea, but the Old Boys were unfazed, eating and talking with enthusiasm. A tour of the school by our Prefects was the high point for most of them, seeing boys dressed much as they would have been all those years ago, learning similar knowledge, in classrooms which were largely unaltered over the last half a century. The gentlemen thoroughly enjoyed talking to our current students, impressed by their politeness and pride in the school.

Many of our reunion attendees had not been back to school since they left all those years ago, and they all remarked on the buildings which had been added since their time, when the school site was a mere seven years old. Luncheon followed some hilarious stories, and a toast or two for absent friends. It was fascinating hearing that the same issues bothered students as much then, as now. Protests against the strict regime on hair length and the wearing of caps, and the much published story of the ‘Hamilton Boys’ High riot’ which was really the throwing of a shoe during a whole school detention.

Our guests were presented with a Hamilton Boys’ High key ring and photo montage of their era, and left to gather at the local home of an Old Boy in their midst. Many of them returned to watch the First XV claim victory over Gisborne on Saturday, which was a fantastic end to their visit. Speaking of his memories of a younger HBHS, David Figgins spoke fondly, concluding, “…you have a great establishment! And I am proud to be an Old Boy. As I mentioned I haven’t been back on the premises since I left, and it is obvious that it is a school in good hands.”

Kate Holdsworth, Archivist