2024 was the year that many of our cohort (1988-1992) turned 50. The last time we were all together as classmates, we were celebrating the milestone of turning 18 - a massive 32 years which has gone by in a flash!  While most of us have kept in touch with a few friends from this time, and lots of us are 'Facebook friends', the majority of us have gone our separate ways. I contacted Sonia (nee Bradley), Moana (nee Lambert) and Vicky (nee Wallace) in July to discuss plans about coordinating a get-together. Once we'd landed on a date and created a group page, the response was overwhelmingly positive.  So it was that on the weekend of November 16th we descended on the North End Bowling Club. After a few last minute changes of plans for some classmates who couldn't make it, we ended up with 26 gorgeous individuals reconnecting, laughing and sharing fond memories of our Freyberg times together. Many of us were quite nervous coming together again and I certainly wondered what we would talk about or even have in common after all this time. But those nerves were soothed as soon as everyone arrived, smiled and the recognition registered. The looks on people's faces as confusion turned to recognition was quite a sight. But funny how some people looked exactly the same!  

On Sunday we were fortunate enough to be taken on a tour of the school. We were all completely amazed at how the smells in corridors and classrooms were the same and evoked even more memories. In particular, the science rooms and original gym felt and looked exactly the same, even after 32 years!  In 1992, I seem to recall that the house system hadn't long been reinstated, so I personally found it exciting to see those same house names, colours and spirit so strong throughout the school today. One thing that was a hugely nostalgic moment for me was seeing all of our school leaders and peers on the honour boards, myself included. I didn't anticipate that and found it quite emotional. But the most amazing transformation throughout the school, I think, had to be what was our hall and is now the drama space. What an amazing facility! No longer filled with benches for numerous assemblies and the window to the tuck shop had disappeared but to be replaced by tiered seating, staging, lights... incredible! How lucky the school is to have such incredible resources now.

We've all vowed to catch up again and not leave it for so long, and to each encourage at least one extra person to come along. The Freyberg 75th isn't too far away so we'll definitely be out in numbers for that!

Leanne Stewart (nee Wallace)