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Friday 15 November around 160 past pupils (including Sr Colleen King-Turner and Sr Anna Maria Persico) and two past teachers (Sr Valerie Lawson, Sr Sarah Greenless) attended the reunion for Sacred Heart (1892-1971) and Redwood (1971-1982) College, gathered at the Granary, (top two floors of the Convent) Founders Heritage Park, Nelson.
The reunion began on the Friday afternoon with songs and Karakia by Garin College students. There was a violin solo and a piano solo. It was hard at first to stop the ladies talking as many had not seen each other for over 30-40 years. A sing along followed with the whole room joining together to sing the school song “Girls of Sacred Heart” words by Sr Mary St Celinia and music by Sr M Carmel. Everyone knew the first verse, but many could not remember the second. Afternoon tea and then school photographs. The earliest group was made up of two pupils from the 50’s. One being Sr Colleen King-Turner (1948-1951).
Saturday afternoon the reunion resumed again at The Granary with a presentation by Yolanda Persico about the historic Convent and the College, telling the history from when the Sisters of Our Lady of The Missions first arrived in 1871. The change over from Sacred Heart to Redwood and the closure in 1982. Then the convent being donated to the Founders Heritage Park. Yolanda was followed by Peter Mellor who talked about the works of Father Garin and explained the restoration project of Father Garin’s Chapel at Wakapuaka Cemetery. Then followed memories of their time at school with attendees telling about the adventures they had. Like sneaking behind the part of the convent where the sisters lived and a show of hands showed “looking behind the wall” was done by many. To end this time of memories Sr Valerie Lawson told a few stories of her time at the College. Then ex pupils spoke to Sr Valerie of how they enjoyed their time with her. Her nickname being “The Tank”. They spoke with great respect and affection, and it was an honor to witness this outpouring of gratitude. This same affection was shown to Sr Sarah from former pupils. The afternoon finished with a sing along.
A dinner on Saturday night at the Tides Restaurant was well attended and after the meal the ex-pupils danced and sang the night away.
A special mass for all reunion attendees, families and friends was held at St. Mary’s Church followed by a lunch and afterwards people were able to revisit the convent and school grounds plus a walk-through of the original St. Joseph’s School building.
It was an honour to attend and witness this reunion with a large number of ex-pupils all having a great time rekindling friendships made many years ago.
My congratulations to Bernadette King-Turner and her committee who for over two years have been working on this reunion which from all accounts and comments was a great success.
Christine Edney, Archivist, Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions
