The Jubilee was a tremendous success with an impressive turnout of former alumni, staff and friends of the School. Guests enjoyed a full programme of events including a 20/20 cricket match between St Peter’s 1st XI and an Old Boys Ist XI on the Friday afternoon. On Friday evening, the School hosted a reception in the Functions Room with welcome speeches from various people, including Neil McLaughlin, Chairman of the 75th Jubilee Planning Committee. Highlight of the evening was the formal launch of the 75th Jubilee History and Register. The authors, brothers Bruce and Don Hamilton, presented an entertaining double act, with each taking turns to read illustrative excerpts. The presentation was very well received and interest high, but copies of the book were sadly, not yet available at the time of the launch, buried as they were under rubble at the Caxton Press in Christchurch. [Editor’s note: The book is now available and is a very enjoyable read. Copies can be ordered from the Development Manager, Diane Baker, at DianeB@stpeters.school.nz; for a review of the book, see the entry under ‘Completed Projects’.]

Saturday morning dawned bright and clear and at 10 am, guests gathered for morning tea and cutting of the cake with an address from the Principal, Steve Robb. En-route to the Quiet Zone for formal photos, many people stopped at the Alumni Marquee to update registration details, peruse the photographic collage and enter the mystery prize competition. The Alumni Association is extremely grateful to the following people who acted as hosts throughout the day: Stuart Gouk (1974-79), Raewyn Nell, nee Greenhalgh (1989-90), Quentin Allan (1972-79), David Niccol (1972-77), Julian Hughes (1959-64), Philip Coles (1976-79). We had extremely good attendance and received very positive feedback from the many visitors we greeted over the course of the day. We sold quite a few of the ties, a number of umbrellas and signed up several new life members - one of whom added a generous donation to the Alumni Association when writing out his cheque.

Tours of the school followed the official photographs and guests were taken around the campus in buses with an entertaining running commentary from current staff members, or on conducted tours with St Peter’s students. Picnic lunches were available from the Dining Hall and guests took advantage of the summery weather to picnic around the grounds. Entertainment after lunch consisted of choice between watching a 1st X1 Cricket Match or a series of half-hour cultural performances in the Thornton Auditorium. Visitors were also welcome to visit classrooms and facilities, including Library, English, Science, Art, Golf Academy, Equestrian, Swimming, Boarding and Day Houses.

A well-attended Alumni Meeting was held later in the afternoon, with presentations from four committee members: Stuart Gouk (President), Raewyn Nel (Trust Board Representative), Philip Coles (Foundation Representative) and Quentin Allan (Alumni Website). The Alumni President took this opportunity to announce the new Alumni Chapel Organ Scholarship, created in 2011, in celebration of the 75th Jubilee.

Various other Alumni Projects were summarised as follows: 

• Bronze bust of Arthur Broadhurst playing ‘cello (1972) 
• Thornton Memorial tree (1981)
• Chapel Organ restoration (1989) 
• Replacement of Chapel Carpet (1999) 
• Alumni Scholarship (2002) 
• Alumni Fountain (2008) 
• Sundial restoration (2008) 
• Brock pool – Alumni Lane (2009) 
• Launch of Alumni Website (2009)
• Pavilion Clock restoration (2010)
• Alumni Chapel Organ Scholarship (2011)

Two guest speakers were invited to address the meeting: John Erkkila gave a presentation on the purchase and development of the Waimarino Outdoor Pursuits Centre at National Park; Peggy Koopman-Boyden then outlined her vision for a Performing Arts Centre at St Peter’s. The meeting was then opened for discussion and notes taken to be followed up at the AGM and subsequent committee meetings. The Alumni Association would like to take this opportunity to thank our guest speakers and all Alumni members who attended this meeting for their interest and enthusiasm.

The highlight of the weekend was undoubtedly the formal dinner, with a variety of entertainment, including speakers from three different eras, Bruce Moss reminiscing about his early days under Broadhurst followed by Mark Eyre comparing the luxury of those first decades with the somewhat run-down fabric of the school in the 1960s. These speakers were complemented by former Head Girl, Anna Wallace, who spoke entertainingly of her days at St Peter’s in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Diners were entertained by a variety of musical items, and towards the end of the Dinner, Steve Robb, Patron of the Alumni Association, graciously agreed to draw the winning entry for the 'mystery' prize - the 75th Jubilee Book, generously donated by Alumni President, Stuart Gouk.

Sunday morning saw a good turnout for the Chapel Service followed by Morning Tea in the Dining Hall. A number of guests then took this opportunity to visit Cambridge Stud.

There were many highlights over the weekend but as always, a reunion like this is about the people; it was a pleasure to be able to catch up with so many people (schoolmates and staff) and to renew friendships which had lapsed decades, in many cases. Special thanks are due to all members of the St Peter’s staff, especially Diane Baker and the Development Management Team; also Neil McLaughlin and members of the 75th Jubilee Planning Committee who worked so hard to make the weekend such a success.