Carols at One Tree Hill College
The last morning meeting of the year took place at One Tree Hill College on Tuesday 2 December.
First some thanks.
Sincere thanks to John Hawke, whose effective messaging ensured really good attendance for this special occasion, to caterer Mara who always takes real joy in making this such a special event, and to Ann Crawford who is unfailing in her welcome when Rotary breakfasts are redirected to the AV room, when our usual venue of the hall foyer has a priority booking.
And a congratulations to Jim Espie who while apologising for non attendance had the best possible reason -celebrating his 101st birthday on December3! – Congratulations Jim.
Other staff members attending included finance manager Lorraine Biggs - who explained why the upper parking area was unexpectedly out of action! Like most other Auckland schools, OTHC has experienced significant roll growth and space is at a premium. So the six classrooms that will be built on that site during the school holidays will be most welcome. Charlotte McKeon then advised that the next Kainga Ora house for Trade Academy refurbishment was due to arrive before year end and that the focus for this project would be net zero. She also told us about the BOT decision to retain this upgraded house for future teacher use and to relocate it to a small site that KO have available in Oranga.
The AV room had also been the location for the most recent REP graduation, so we were very pleased to have Brian Langdon join us and to be able to congratulate him on another most heart-warming celebration for students, whanau and volunteers! Then Diana Rhodes, who is now the longest-serving staff member at OTHC, spoke of the importance of performance for Music students - and the real value of being able to develop this tradition at our Rotary meetings.
Another tradition of the “rifle” was splendidly represented by the magnum that David Jack had received when he purchased a dozen bottles of high-quality sparkling wine, to express appreciation for the exemplary leadership of REP co-ordinators. Peter Ross, who is the driving force behind next week’s Youth Programmes Showcase at OTHC, was the deserving winner!
Pianist John Scott, then led us through a carefully-selected range of Christmas carols, most ably assisted by the beautiful voices of his wife Maree and Diana Rhodes. Traditionally we sing in the music room, gathering around the grand piano that Harvey Alison most generously donated to OTHC – but John’s keyboard worked really well in the alternative venue.
President John Meadowcroft then concluded proceedings, recalling being part of a recording of Kings College students singing the Te Haronui carol, when he was a schoolboy!
