1973 - 2023 Timeline - Green Bay High School

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

50th EVENT PHOTO GALLERY Founding Principal, Des Mann Celebrating 50 Years Kākāriki Marae (1976) Whare Akoranga Join Our Alumni School Yearbook ARCHIVES