Papakōwhai School - 50th Jubilee

Fifty years is a long time 🏫

It's classrooms full of curious minds. It's playgrounds full of laughter. It's friendships that have lasted decades. It's teachers who changed lives. It's families who became part of something bigger than themselves 💛

Over the past fifty years Papakōwhai School has been so many things to so many people. A place of learning, yes. But also a place of belonging. A place where confidence grew, where friendships formed and where community took root and flourished 🌱

This Jubilee week reminded us of just how powerful that is.

Seeing past students walk back through our gates. Hearing the stories. Watching the photos spark memories. Feeling the warmth of a community that's never really left, no matter how many years have passed.

We're so proud of everything Papakōwhai School has been over these fifty years and we're so excited about everything it'll continue to be.

To every student, every family, every staff member and every member of this community who's been part of our story, thank you. You are the legacy 💛

Here's to the next fifty years 🥂

The photos are in and we are absolutely loving them 📸

What a joy it has been looking back through the snapshots from our 50th Jubilee week. Every single photo tells a story and together they paint the most beautiful picture of what Papakōwhai School is all about 💛

From the smiles at our opening ceremony to the incredible 70s outfits, the student performances, the new library, the closing celebration and every special moment in between, this week was one for the memory books 🏫✨

If you took photos during the Jubilee week we would love to see them. Drop them in the comments or send them through to us so we can share the love across the community

Thank you again to everyone who was part of making this week so special.

Thank you, Papakōwhai School community 💛

What a week. We are still riding the wave of an absolutely incredible four days and we have each and every one of you to thank for that.

To everyone who came through the gates, joined us for events, dressed up for 70s Day, raised a glass at our closing celebration and everything in between, thank you. You made this Jubilee everything we hoped it would be and so much more.

To our past students and alumni who travelled near and far to be here, it meant the world to see you back where it all began 🏫

To our current families and whānau who showed up with such enthusiasm and warmth, you reminded us exactly why this community is so special.

To our wonderful staff and support staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this celebration to life, we could not have done it without you 👏

And to everyone who followed along online, shared memories, liked, commented and cheered us on from afar, you were part of it too.

Fifty years of Papakōwhai School. Here's to fifty more ✨

We can hardly believe we've reached the final day of our 50th Jubilee celebrations. What an incredible week it has been 💛

This evening we're closing out five decades of memories with guest speakers, drinks and nibbles, and a closing celebration that promises to be a fitting end to an unforgettable week 🥂✨

If you're joining us tonight, we can't wait to see you. Come ready to celebrate, reminisce and soak in every last moment with the Papakōwhai School whānau.

To everyone who has been part of this week in any way, whether you attended an event, shared a memory online, or simply cheered us on from afar, thank you. You are what makes Papakōwhai so special.

See you tonight 👏

Day 1 of our 50th Jubilee is done and what a way to kick things off! 🎉

It was so wonderful to see so many familiar faces coming through the gates and back to Papakōwhai School. The energy on the day was something really special.

The official opening of our brand new library was such a highlight. Cutting the ribbon and sharing a slice of cake to celebrate felt like the perfect way to mark this milestone during our Jubilee week. A space that will be enjoyed by generations of tamariki to come 📚

The feedback from the morning has been awesome. You've been sharing that it was a fantastic morning and that the new library looks incredible.

Thank you to everyone who came along to be part of Day 1. This week is already shaping up to be one to remember.

Stay tuned because there is so much more still to come! 🌟

What was your favourite moment from opening day? Drop it in the comments, we'd love to hear from you! 👇

Today is the day! 🎉 Welcome to the Papakōwhai School Jubilee!

After 50 years, the celebrations are finally here and we couldn't be more excited to welcome you all back.

Today we kick things off with our official pōwhiri opening ceremony, followed by the opening of our brand new library and a photo exhibition celebrating five incredible decades.

We can't wait to see you all there, it's going to be a week to remember!

Heading to the Jubilee next week? Here's what to know!

We're just days away from our 50th Jubilee celebrations and we want to make sure you're all set for the fun.

📷 Bring your camera.
There are going to be so many moments worth capturing across all four days. Don't forget to snap some photos and share them with us through these pages!

👟 Wear comfortable shoes.
There's plenty to see and do so make sure you're comfortable on your feet.

☀️ Pack for the weather.
We've got outdoor activities planned so bring a hat, sunscreen and a few layers just in case.

👗 Thursday is 70s Day!
Dig out your best 70's outfit and come ready to celebrate in style. Think flares, floral prints and big collars🕺

🍱 Thursday picnic.
Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy together on the grounds for our picnic afternoon.

🥂 Friday closing celebration.
Tickets are still available for our Friday drinks and nibbles closing celebration! Join us to close out an unforgettable week together.

Grab your tickets and join the event here 👉 https://www.facebook.com/share/14ZJTJFLEGp/

We can't wait to see you!

📸 Today's Throwback Thursday is a look at a newspaper article published in the Evening Post on 10 April 1976.

Papakōwhai School is celebrating 50 years this month, with a 50th Jubilee celebration planned from 28 April – 1 May 2026.

Check out the Papakōwhai School - 50th Jubilee page for more throwbacks and celebration details.

Credit: Copyright Stuff Limited.

The countdown is on and things behind the scenes are getting very exciting!

Photo exhibitions are going up, the kids have been working on their art work and our incredible staff and support staff are putting the finishing touches on what is going to be an absolutely unforgettable four days.

It's been months of planning, organising and dreaming up ways to celebrate fifty years of this special place and we honestly can't wait for you all to see it come together.

Whether you're joining us for one day or all four, we're so ready to welcome you back through our gates 🏫✨

Tuesday is almost here. See you soon, Papakōwhai School whānau! 👏

One week to go! 🎉

Next week, we get to come together and celebrate 50 incredible years of Papakōwhai School.

We can't wait to connect with you all from over the years. Whether you're a past student, former staff member or part of our current community. It's going to be a special few days.

You can still get your Jubilee Celebration tickets here: https://forms.gle/LwD4Y7rAm6xXVfS26

Or purchase your Jubilee Fence paling here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScVS9FtYZcsID-k-VZ4xbbSh_E54ChFhLcOD-ixngzJlcRqqA/viewform

See you next week!