Old Students' Weekend Report
Well... it was a typical Wesley weekend. The old boys, thinner of hair and thicker of gut, regaled each other with ever-taller stories. The old girls, more elegant than ever, rolled their eyes a lot. The organisation was on the muddling side of meandering with everything running on Wesley time. However, a good time was had by the 70-odd old students who materialised at various times over the weekend.
Highlights? A rather lovely powhiri where the old students were formally welcomed and reminded there's a bed (or at least a mattress) here whenever they need one. The Jolley Roger's (Roger Jolley's) Tour of Memories which wound up in the Rec foyer. Ernie Lepper being formally recognised as the founding member of the Wesley RFC. A historic triumph in the netball (aided by some shameless cheating). A heroic performance in the touch where we were all over the current students for the opening two minutes before their cheating - they brought on second-formers who were too fast and fit - saw us lose heavily. Then there were disgraceful accounts of old-fools-who-should-know-better finding themselves at Boogie Wonderland at 3.00am on Saturday morning. And, on Sunday, a chapel service stirringly led by Steve Tema which culminated in a rousing haka outside.
But the absolute highlight of the weekend deserves a post all of its own...
Highlights? A rather lovely powhiri where the old students were formally welcomed and reminded there's a bed (or at least a mattress) here whenever they need one. The Jolley Roger's (Roger Jolley's) Tour of Memories which wound up in the Rec foyer. Ernie Lepper being formally recognised as the founding member of the Wesley RFC. A historic triumph in the netball (aided by some shameless cheating). A heroic performance in the touch where we were all over the current students for the opening two minutes before their cheating - they brought on second-formers who were too fast and fit - saw us lose heavily. Then there were disgraceful accounts of old-fools-who-should-know-better finding themselves at Boogie Wonderland at 3.00am on Saturday morning. And, on Sunday, a chapel service stirringly led by Steve Tema which culminated in a rousing haka outside.
But the absolute highlight of the weekend deserves a post all of its own...
posted by Commander at 10:59 am
7 Comments:
Great that 70 old boys turned up for the week end. But a rugby school not haivnig and Old boys match is a shame. The organiser needs to set a date so that all the old students and current students of ability can play. Wtih all the currents reps wesley has in the senir teams at counties it would be a great game. Needs to be held in November
Anonymous... this is a good point that you make.
However, the rationale behind having the Weekend a few weeks earlier is that it gave Old Students the opportunity to attend the school show (which was exceptional... see the above post). Unfortunately, several of the 1st XV members were out on rep duties, not that it mattered: the Old Boys, for the second year in a row, would've struggled to make up half a team.
What's the answer? Well it'd be nice for the show to be a second highlight of the weekend (along with the game) but it really needs to run at the time of year that it does currently (any later and we'd be into school holidays... and then students are getting stuck into their exam prep when they get back). The only problem with this is that the boys will be playing their rep rugby. Not sure what the answer is.
But in terms of the Old Boys team, I forsee a better future. Once the Wesley Rugby Football Club is up and running - and you can expect an announcement on this within the next fortnight - it will be an important fixture on the list.
My grandfather was a Student at this College about 1910 to 1915 approx his name was Murray or Mare Pihema do you have any archive records which go back that far?? which I can look at I would appreciate any information.
patd@swiftdsl.com.au
my email addy will change on 8/7/2010 as will be changing to another internet providor
Kind regards
Pat Dickeson
14 Lawn Avenue
Traralgon, Victoria 3844
Australia
This years event (2010) starts with an informal gathering at the Pukekohe RSA on 15 Oct. Powhiri is at the whare at 12noon on Saturday 16th with an afternoon program and dinner at the Pukekohe Cosmopolitan Club. Sunday 17th at 10am we will join students at chapel followed by the AGM and closing with lunch with the students. There will be merchandise for sale and you will be required to pay the annual $20 registration fee. Come to the AGM and you will find out what we have planned.
We need an organiser for the annual Old Students vs 1xv game. The 1xv season is usually over when we have the reunion. One thought we had was to arrange a game either pre-season or before they start their top four campaign as a specific Old Students even. It would be great to build a weekend around sports including netball, hockey and soccer. If anyone's up to help organise it then please contact Roger Jolley:jolley.roger@hotmail.com
Korero mai ki te Kareti o Weteriana i nga Tauira o mua.
Wesley College Te Kura O Te Haahi Weteriana O Aotearoa
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