Burnside High School 60th Birthday

Kia ora, I am Phil Holstein, Principal of Waimairi-iri BHS since 2015.

To recognise Burnside High School’s 60th birthday in 2020, the Head Prefect Team of E Wen Wong, Sam Turner, Emma Hollingworth, and Noah Hartley compiled short video clips of our alumni: former BHS students from the first 60 years, including two foundation students: Mary Travers and Brian Hitchon.

It was a big challenge for the Head Prefect Team to find and approach previous students. So, they called on the services of Mr Brian Hays, a long-serving, former staff member and a loyal friend of BHS. My Hays’ fantastic memory and contacts proved invaluable.

What you are about to see is the culmination of eight months of work, during which the team identified, approached, recorded, and compiled video clips. The former students share their favourite memories from their school days; and explain what they have been doing since leaving BHS.

Thank you to the 2020 Head Prefects, to Mr Brian Hays, to each contributor; and to student Nic Ryan who assisted with post-production and editing.

BHS is a great school, with personal excellence and care for others at the centre of our culture. We embrace and value respect, pride, and striving to excel. Watching these stories, provides both a wonderful sense of history and confirms what our school stands for.

I am so proud that I am part of this school community, and that I can contribute to the legacy of Te Kura of Waimairi-iri, Burnside High School.

Please enjoy this collection of special stories.

Ngā mihi nui