Our 150th Jubilee

We celebrated Owaka and District Schools'150th Jubilee (1875-2025) on March 7th, 8th and 9th, 2025.

This weekend saw the celebration and commemoration of 150 years of schooling in The Catlins district.

Over 275 people attended and really enjoyed the chance to meet old friends and remember their school days.  Most of the visitors had attended The Owaka District High School, before it became an Area School, but a few had attended some of the little schools that made up the 27 schools that existed at various time in the Catlins district. There were ex- students from Purakauiti School, Tautuku School, Papatowai/Stuarts School, Houipapa School and Tawanui School, Chaslands School, Purekireki, MacLennan and Glenomaru Schools, and of course from the latest schools to amalgamate with TCAS, Port Molyneux and Tahakopa Schools.

It was a great weekend of laughter, dancing and reminiscences, and a chance to hear some fascinating stories of the history of our district.

Thank you to the people who helped organise this memorable occasion, and to the many sponsors who helped to make the weekend a reality.

Schools involved in this Jubilee included: Owake/Owaka, Owaka District High School, Otekura, Ahuriri Flat, Purakauiti, Houipapa, Glenomaru, Ratanui, Browns/Owaka Valley, Tahatika, Tawanui, Tarara, Purekireki, Pounawea, Puketiro, Catlins River/Hinahina, Romareka, Katea, Papatowai/Stuarts, Chaslands, Rimu, Kahuika, Maclennan, Tahakopa, Tautuku, Waipati, Port Molyneux, The Catlins Area School.

P R O G R A M M E

Owaka and District Schools 150th Jubilee | March 7th, 8th and 9th 2025 |

Friday 7th March 

| 12.30pm – 3.00pm | The Catlins Area School tours with current pupils

| 7.00pm | Registrations, social time and supper (Owaka Memorial Community Centre)

Saturday 8th March

| 9.00am - 12 noon | Registrations and photos (Owaka Memorial Community Centre)

| 12.30pm | Official welcome, Kapahaka, photos, cake cutting, bell ringing (The Catlins Area School)

| Lunch | Food Trucks by Four Square and local cafes in town

School open in the afternoon until 4pm for displays

Museum will be open with displays

Maps of schools and districts available

| 7.30pm | Dance and supper (Owaka Memorial Community Centre) All Welcome!!

Sunday 9th March

| 10.00am | Official opening of Arboretum and tree planting

| 11.00am |  Church Service (Owaka Memorial Community Centre) followed by light refreshments

Farewell

(The Owaka Museum will provide free entry for the weekend to all registrants)