An upcoming school reunion is set to rock.
Geraldine High School’s student and staff reunion will take place on the school grounds at Matariki.
Organiser Liz Nattrass said she had not set out to organise a reunion, instead she had wanted to create an event for former student Jordan Luck to play in the school hall once more.
Luck had gone on from high school to become the lead singer and songwriter of The Exponents.
However, that event had morphed into something bigger.
Ms Nattrass, who now lives in Darfield, said she had tried to make the reunion “non-threatening”.
While everyone had their own experiences of high school, hers had been wonderful, she said.
The high school community had provided her with a safe space to grow up.
“Everybody looked out for everybody.”
When she had gone to watch the school’s production Back to the 80s, she had noticed kids in the crowd were still looking out for each other.
“Differences are embraced.”
She was aware some reunions could cause discomfort, especially if partners could not come.
So the the invite was to past students, partners and “anybody, really”.
She hoped it would be a “nice, relaxed reunion”.
“You can even bring your campervan.”
The principal had offered to open the gymnasium for showers the next morning for those staying, she said.
“You’re allowed to drink at school, you’re even allowed to bring your own alcohol.”
The light supper would be a nod to adolescent days, with cheerios, ham and buns.
Looking about the school she could see it had not changed much, but it had been revamped.
Back in her day, some kids would be smoking down in the trees, she said.
Despite the changes and the upgrades, it “definitely” still felt like it was her school.
Ms Nattrass said the school hall was all ready to go, as the school’s production Back to the 80s had finished up with some stage props ready to be reused.
“Lighting and sound is really good.”
The reunion will take place on Friday, July 10 and is an R18 event.
While tours are available during the day, the social event will start at 7pm.
Tickets are $40 and can be purchased on the school website or Facebook; some door sales might be available on the night.
“Bring your own drinks, drinkware and dancing shoes!”
