Tearful farewell at MIS final assembly

The Masterton Intermediate School Poly Club performing at the school’s final assembly of 2018. PHOTO/ELISA VORSTER

ELISA VORSTER
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Masterton Intermediate School pulled out all the stops in an emotional final assembly at the Wairarapa College hall recently, saying farewell to Year 8 leavers and long-serving teachers.

The school’s 515 pupils had created a strong sense of community, with board chairman Matt Boggs announcing he missed a friend’s funeral to attend the special event.

“The reality is, I get to celebrate his life later in my own time, but I only get to celebrate with you all once a year,” he said.

His speech was followed by performances from the school’s Poly Club, Kapa Haka group, school rock band and choir.

The valediction speech was delivered by pupil leader Edith Dickson, who urged her Year 7 pupils to get involved in as many school activities as they could and for her Year 8 peers to embrace the end of their time at the school.

“For us Year 8s, it’s just the beginning of many more journeys,” she said.

Pupil Lily Rees was named school Dux with the Tino Mohio Award.

She was acknowledged along with five other award recipients with the school waiata “Anei”, performed by pupils, teachers and parents.

Principal Russell Thompson acknowledged two of its long-serving teachers who have called it a day.

Irene McKinstry had been both a classroom teacher and a science teacher at the school for 23 years, only to be outdone by Di Martin who was leaving the school after 38 years.

The day was capped off with Year 7 pupils lining the school’s pathway while performing the “Ko Wairarapa” haka as the Year 8 leaders left school grounds for the final time.