Telegram pictured above by Norman Kirk (NZ Prime Minister 1973) ...
"CONGRATULATIONS OF THE OPENING OF YOUR SCHOOL TODAY AND EVERY BEST WISHES FOR ITS FUTURE. IT IS PERHAPS AUSPICIOUS THAT THE OCCASION FALLS ON THIS IMPORTANT DAY IN NEW ZEALAND HISTORY - WAITANGI DAY" - Norman Kirk
Green Bay High School opened its doors on 6 February 1973, with a grand total of 350 students, Green Bay High School has grown considerably and changed significantly over the past 50 years - with a current roll of over 1700 students!
A 25th Jubilee was held in 1998, and 50th milestone was celebrated this year, in July 2023, with a full programme of day and evening celebratory events, blending the past with the present, reconnecting students, staff and our community.
Our school has changed and evolved over the years, with new buildings and refurbished facelifts, as well as the introduction of a school zone and the implementation of a school uniform. However, what remains the same is that we are still proudly a school that serves its local community. Green Bay High School has always prioritised strong relationships between students and teachers. We are proud to be a community school, and if our current ‘enrolment season’ is anything to go by, we are a popular choice of secondary school for local whānau residing within our school zone.
Moving With The Times:
1973
- 6 February: Establishment of Green Bay High School - roll of approx. 350 students - Principal Des Mann
- 1 June 1973: Green Bay High School Board of Governors (Board of Trustees) comes into force. Previously vested in the Kelston High Schools Board of Governors [Olive Taylor] - interim administration
1978
- Kākāriki Marae built
1980
- Technological Times (!): Apple 2 computer, a colour television set, card reader, printer and desk drive for the 7th Form Applied Maths class
1981
- The ‘Reading Room’ established - (B1) with illustrated door by Dylan Horrocks
- Felling, blessing, delivery and carving of two Totara from Minginui Forest - for the Kākāriki Marae Wharenui
1982
- GBHS holds its first full-school fundraising event - ‘Work Day’, where all students worked an 8 hour day doing various jobs throughout the community, raising $14,000 to go towards computers and library books
1983
- First Auditorium opened
1984
- Des Mann retires
1985
- Karen Sewell (previously Deputy Principal) takes position as Principal of GBHS
1986
- GBHS celebrates its first Peace Day on 6 August (Hiroshima Day)
1987
- GBHS introduces Vertical Form classes and the Co-Op
1992
- Fire in B Block following arson attack
1997
- Karen Sewell retires (March) 1997
- Lionel Devaliant (previously Deputy Principal) takes over as Principal of GBHS
1998
- 25th Year Reunion
2000
- GBHS roll of less than 600 students
2003
- Te Reo Māori bilingual unit begins at the request of parents and with the support of the Board of Trustees - based out of GBHS’ Kākāriki Marae
- GBHS begins ‘horizontal’ Form Classes
- Gateway Programme starts
2004
- GBHS’ financial position is identified as a ‘cause for concern’ by the Ministry of Education, and is appointed a Limited Statutory Manager “to oversee the review and improvement of the school’s financial management and personnel systems.”
- GBHS roll sits at 1050 students
- GBHS reverts back to Vertical Forms
2005
- GBHS has approx. 800 students
- Lionel Devaliant retires on 15 April after 8 years as Principal, and 7 years as Deputy Principal of GBHS
- Morag Hutchinson takes her place as the new Principal of GBHS on 9 May
2006
- New Technology block opens at GBHS
- GBHS roll sits at 850 students
- Peace Trophy donated to GBHS on Peace Day by Mr Bowie, father of Agnes Bowie
2007
- GBHS breaks tradition, rolling out a school uniform with Yr 9 and Yr 10s
- Opening of new Visual Arts and Science blocks
- Reinstatement of ‘horizontal’ Form Classes; moving away from the traditional Vertical Form Classes
2008
- GBHS roll approaches 1000 students
2011
- Opening of the extension/refurbishment of the Auditorium and Performing Arts Centre
2013
- New school logo introduced
- School Zone come into force - Green Bay High School Board of Trustees implements an enrolment scheme/school zone as directed by the Ministry of Education
2014
- F Block renovated - first time in 40 years (!)
- GBHS roll reaches 1300 students
2016
- Kaumatua and foundation staff member Pat Heremaia passes away in May, and is laid to rest at Te Moengaroa Urupa, in Taranaki
2017
- Tiger Turf installed on back courts
2018
- Principal, Morag Hutchinson, retires after nearly 13 years at GBHS
- Founding Principal, Des Mann, dies on 20 August, aged 93
2019
- Fiona Barker takes on role as Principal of GBHS
2020
- Newly refurbished library opened at GBHS
2022
- New prefab classrooms
- G block extension
2023
- 50th Celebrations Event
