Despite the monsoon rain, over 300 attended the Mix n Mingle event on Friday night, creating an atmosphere filled with joy and nostalgia. It was wonderful to welcome back past Principals Ray Clarke (1991-1997) with his wife Bev and Peter Garelja (1997-2006) with his wife Raewyn, alongside foundation staff like John Kidd and Errol Frances. It was a privilege to reconnect with many of you, including Stephan Hunt, Malcolm Dixon, Chris Poland, and Stephen Nightingale.  The evening also featured some fun moments at the Photo Booth! A special highlight was when Westie Lee (Lee Weir) flawlessly cut the cake alongside Peter Garelja, leading us all in a heartwarming rendition of ‘Happy Birthday Waitākere.’

Saturday was bright and sunny, perfect for our daytime tours! The basketball game saw spirited rivalry as the young alumni from 2015 faced off against those from 2018—they truly brought back memories of glory days. Keep training, boys; we can't wait for the 60th!

Our cultural groups took the stage, showcasing the rich diversity of our community through performances from Kapa Haka, Filipino, Sāmoan, Indian, Roma, Cook Islands, and Kiribati. It was a beautiful display of pride in our heritage.

The Harmony group alumni gathered in the Music Block with Mr Nightingale and Mr Dixon, connecting through song and sharing that special musical bond.
The Photo decades in the Jackson Auditorium and Nightingale Theatre drew wonderful participation, and the school tours offered a look at the Science and Technology blocks, along with A, B, and T classrooms, highlighting the new restroom layouts.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this event possible: Liza Dittmar for her meticulous planning and organization - Jacqui Passi and our cultural group leaders and mentors - Dittmar Construction for the lovely fairy lights and props - Dale Bush for providing a uniform for display from her time at Waitākere - Sasinun Ngamthura for managing the bar - Phil Brain and the Basketball Crew for the engaging past pupils game on Saturday - Maddy Stockford for capturing lovely memories through her photography.

To our incredible staff volunteers and student prefects—over 50 of you ensured that everything from food to music, lighting, refreshments, tours, performances, activities, food trucks, and merchandise ran smoothly, creating a fantastic experience for everyone over the two days.