July 12, 2016
Reo point of pride for St Joseph’s
St Joseph's Maori Girls' College will next year celebrate not only its jubilee but 150 years of advocacy and support for the Maori language.
The school was established in 1867 by the French order, The Sisters of Our Lady of the Mission, who empathised with their students’ difficulty sticking to the English only rule being imposed on the education system by the colonial government.
Old girls and language champions include the first president of the Maori Women's Welfare League, the late Dame Whina Cooper, current Maori Language Commission board member Professor Rawina Higgins, and singer Hinewehi Mohi, whose decision to sing the national anthem at a rugby test in both Maori and English has now become standard.
Organising committee member Stephanie Tibble says so many people have indicated interest, they have opened online pre-registrations.
"We’re asking people to go onto the St Joseph's website and fill out a short questionnaire about will you be coming and what are you interested in doing. Of course there will be a dinner. We're asking people to fill out the pre-registration form to get an idea of numbers so we can make it enjoyable for everybody," says Stephanie Tibble.
The St Joseph's jubilee celebrations will be held on the weekend of October 6 to 8, 2017.
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