100 Years of Hutt Valley High School

100th Celebrations!

The milestone we’ve all been waiting for is fast approaching. We are thrilled to report that planning for our 100th Celebrations is well underway. The energy behind the scenes is growing, and we can’t wait to welcome generations of learners back to the Hutt to celebrate a century of history, achievement, and friendship.

A Weekend to Remember

We have planned a vibrant programme for the Friday 7 August and Saturday 8 August 2026 of the celebrations, designed to help you reconnect with the school and each other.

100th Open Day Celebration, Sat 8 Aug, 10am-4pm

We’ll be opening the school doors for a special Open Day on Saturday, 8 August 2026, a chance to revisit your old classrooms (those that are standing!) see what’s changed, and reconnect with friends and former teachers.  Highlights include:

  • The Welcome: We will begin with a mihi whakatau, followed later in the day with a mass singing of our school waiata, E Tipu. There’s nothing quite like the sound of hundreds of voices and instruments joined in song to bridge the decades.
  • Walk Down Memory Lane: Delve into our extensive archive displays and memorabilia. You can also join a guided tour of the campus to see how things have evolved and what remains exactly as you recall! Honestly, for many of you, B Block and the hall will be the only familiar sight left!
  • Student Showcases: Immerse yourself in the current talent of HVHS with a choice of dance, drama, music, film, and art displays.
  • Action & Connection: We’ll have a range of sporting events to watch and, of course, plenty of opportunities to share kai (food) and conversation.
  • Capturing the Moment: Don’t miss the scheduled decade photos—the ultimate keepsake from the weekend.

We are crossing every finger and toe that the Wellington weather plays along and gives us a beautiful, fine weekend! There is no fee to attend the 100th Open Day.

Upcoming Alumni Events – Register Now

Event 1 | HVHS Teachers, Staff & Board Members Reunion

A HVHS Teachers, Staff & Board Members Reunion is planned for Friday, 7 August 2026, from 4pm to 7pm, upstairs in the staffroom. Light refreshments will be available to enjoy. All former teachers and staff are welcome to attend!

Centenary Celebrations – Registration Form

Event 2 | 1950-1559 Alumni Event | Fabulous 50s Decade Luncheon!

A luncheon for former HVHS pupils from the 1950s is being organised for Friday, 7 August 2026 at Summerset Boulcott Retirement Village, beginning at 11:00am.

There has been a very good response to this event and there are now 56 people who have registered and paid. There is a limit of 100 people, so if you wish to come, please don’t delay.

To attend please fill in the registration form below (click the green button under this article) and send money to the named bank account. For any questions, please email Pam Davis at pameladdavis@outlook.co.nz and Pauline Patchett at drpbp11@gmail.com.

Fabulous 50s Decade Luncheon – Registration Form

Event 3 | 1960-1969 Alumni Event | Calling all HVHS Alumni of the Swinging 60s!

We are now just over four months away from our HVHS Centenary celebrations and the Decade Dinner on Saturday, 8 August 2026 for Alumni from the 1960s.

A huge thank you to everyone who has already registered – I truly appreciate your quick replies. I also want to thank those who let me know they can’t make it; it helps immensely with our planning and logistics.

Venue Update

I am pleased to confirm we have secured a fantastic venue room at the Events Centre – better known to many of us formally as The Town Hall. It’s a central location on Laings Road, it’s easily accessible for anyone staying in the Lower Hutt City Centre. More details on the cost and payment for the dinner to come.

Don’t Miss Out

For those still thinking about it, please “jump in” and email me to secure your place at the table. This is a rare opportunity to properly reconnect and reminisce as a group. It simply won’t be the same without you!

We’re also delighted to have a table of 1950s alumni joining us. Many of them are attending both the Fabulous 50s Luncheon on Friday, 7 August, and our Decade Dinner for 60s Alumni on Saturday, 8 August. If that sounds like you, please get in touch — the more the merrier.

A Global Gathering

The 1971 HVHS 1st XV is attending in full force, and we will be joined by alumni traveling from the USA, UK, South Africa, China, and Australia. It is shaping up to be a truly international reunion!

How to Register

Please email me at jerinacorbanbanks@gmail.com and include your:

  • First and last name (including your name during your school years)
  • Years attending HVHS e.g. 1962-1967 (an approximate guess is completely fine)
  • Guests: Names & number of people attending with you.

I look forward to seeing everyone in August!

Kind regards,
Jerina Corban-Banks (1968-1972)

Event 4 | 1970-1979 Alumni | A Groovy 70s Meet n Greet!

Did you start school in the Groovy Seventies? If you began at HVHS between 1970 and 1979, you’re warmly invited to register your interest for a get‑together with fellow ex‑students. This gathering will follow the HVHS Centenary Open Day (10am–4pm).

Event: A Groovy 70s Meet n Greet
Date: Saturday, 8 August 2026, 5pm Onwards
Venue: Convenient Hutt Valley Location (dependent on numbers – to be confirmed
Details: Cash Bar with Nibbles & Snacks

Register Now! To help with numbers and catering, please register your interest with either:

  • Mike Hanley — mikehanley1964@gmail.com, 027 749 4904
  • Paul & Christine Barnett (née Davis) — christinebarnett@xtra.co.nz, 027 457 7738
  • Martin Goodyear – 63emgee@gmail.com

Event 5 | 1980 Alumni – Calling the Graduates of the Class of 1980!

Martin Goodyear is part of the Class of 1980 (7th Formers) and is keen to get in touch with old classmates ahead of the 100th Celebrations to see if others are keen to help organise a casual meet-up, drink, or meal out ahead of the 100th Open Day on Saturday 8 August 2026.

To get in touch with Martin, email him at 63emgee@gmail.com.

Event 6 | 2004 Alumni – Calling the Class of 2004!

Alumni from our Class of 2004 are already gearing up to be part of the HVHS 100th celebrations. After a special 20th reunion earlier this year, they’re keen to get the crew together again.

Plans are underway for a Class of 2004 year group catch-up on Friday, 7 August 2026, in the evening, potentially at The Crooked Elm nearby to HVHS, with everyone joining the full school celebrations at the Open Day on Saturday, 8 August 2026.

Michael Renata and a group of classmates and friends are helping to coordinate plans for the Class of 2004. If you’re part of this year group and would like to be involved, please get in touch with him to connect and stay updated by emailing Matt at matthewrenata@outlook.com

Key Dates for the 100th Celebrations

Friday 7 August 2026:

  • 1950s Luncheon – Summerset Rest Home, 11am Start*
  • HVHS Teachers, Staff & Board Members Reunion – HVHS Staffroom, 4pm to 7pm
  • Class of 2004 – Currently Being Organised*

Saturday 8 August 2026:

  • HVHS Open Day 100th Celebrations – HVHS, 10am to 4pm
  • Groovy 70s Meet n Greet – Venue To Be Confirmed, From 5pm Onwards*

Being Planned:

  • The Swinging 60’s Decade Dinner” (1960-1969), Lower Hutt Event Centre*
  • Class of 1980 depending on interest, may also host an event ahead of the 100th Celebrations on the 8 August.

* To register, please refer to the information listed in the sections above. Registering early is strongly recommended!

Share Your Memories for our Reunion Rooms at the 100th Open Day

We’re very keen to collect memories from alumni and share them with participants on the 100th Celebration Day. Our plan is to turn rooms in B-block into Reunion Rooms for each Decade, spaces where alumni can connect, rest, and relax on Saturday 8 August.

The plan is to display these memories on the classroom walls for each decade. Please complete this form by clicking the link below and share your memories with us.

Share Your Memories – Form to Complete

100th News

Massed Performance of E Tipu (School Waiata) for our 100th Celebration

One of the planned highlights of our upcoming 100th Celebrations on Saturday 8 August will be a massed musical performance of our school waiata, E Tipu. Current students, staff and alumni are warmly invited to take part in this special item, bringing our community together.

To help everyone prepare, below you can now download the instrumental parts to practise in the lead‑up to the big day in August 2026. They are also available on the school website.

For any questions, please email Jhan Lindsay (Performing Arts Coordinator / Teacher in Charge – Itinerant Music Programme) at music@hvhs.school.nz

Music Parts for E Tipu Performance

Neil Whitehead’s Bagpipe Tribute to HVHS

When Neil Whitehead (1956–1960) emailed the school recently, we were delighted by what he had to share. Now 81 years old and still actively playing the bagpipes, Neil fondly recalled his time at Hutt Valley High School particularly being Pipe Major of the school’s former pipe band. He even piped guests into the hall for our 90th anniversary celebration.

Looking ahead to 2026, Neil hopes to be part of the 100th celebrations and he’s also composed a brand new pipe tune for the occasion and generously shared it with us by email. To listen to Neil’s specially composed tune, please click here.

Latest Alumni News & Updates

To keep updated with Alumni news we recommend pressing the ‘Like’ button on our Facebook page. If you have alumni news, stories or memories to share, please get in touch. We value these contributions from our school contribution.

To read the latest newsletters click the links below:

Thank You to the Sponsors of the 100th Celebrations!

We are hugely grateful to our sponsors: Gallagher Insurance, Fuji Film: Business Innovation, NXP: Business Supplies Sorted, New Era Technology and the Past Pupils and Friends Association (PPTA).