Our History
Exploring the rich heritage and milestones of James Hargest College
Bluff Harbour Opens
The port of Bluff, nestled beneath 265-m Motup?hue (Bluff Hill), claims to be the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in New Zealand. The Island Harbour in Bluff, New Zealand, is a 40-ha man-made island and a central part of the modern port facilities. It was opened in 1960 after eight years of construction.
First School Choir Formed
Barracks Week held early in the term. First School Choir formed with 50 participants.
Health Dept Tuberculosis Inoculations
Tuberculosis inoculations conducted by Health Department officials.
School Fair
School holds fair.
Jack Maybury Show in School Hall
The Jack Maybury Show hosted in the School Hall - absolutely packed out.
Thomson House Origins
Thomson House (Red) is named after John Turnbull Thomson (1821–1884), New Zealand's first Surveyor-General who surveyed Southland/Otago and laid out Invercargill.
Hamilton House Origins
Hamilton House (Yellow) is named after William John Warburton Hamilton (1825–1883), secretary to Sir George Grey, survey officer on HMS Acheron, and early European explorer of Southland.
Menzies House Origins
Menzies House (Green) is named after Dr. James Alexander Robertson Menzies (1821–1888), first Superintendent of Southland Province and prominent local politician.
Watson House Origins
Watson House (Blue) is named after Stephen Watson (1803–1895), successful Western Southland pioneer and whaler, and his wife Bridget "Biddy" Watson.
Anzac Day Commemoration
School commemorates Anzac Day.
School Production: Trial by Jury
The School Production "Trial by Jury" by Gilbert and Sullivan.
Post-Primary Schools Regatta
Rowing crews take part in Post-Primary Schools Regatta.
Rosedale Intermediate Campus in the Early 1960s
An early 1960s colour slide of Rosedale Intermediate School at the western end of Layard Street, displaying the original assembly hall, classroom wings, and vintage staff vehicles. In 2005, Rosedale Intermediate merged into James Hargest College to form the present-day Junior Campus. (Image courtesy of Ted_Cashew / Hocken Collections MS-5401/033/007).
School Production: The Sorcerer
The 1962 School Production "The Sorcerer".
Essay Competition Winner
Alan Hinkley wins New York Herald Tribune Essay Competition.
School Production & Rugby Monograms
The School Production "Hay Fever". Rugby First Fifteen monograms awarded after five Saturday games and one inter-school.
Invercargill Street Scene
A view of Invercargill in 1963 featuring vintage cars along the main street.
Gymnasium Fund Fundraising
Pram Pushing raises 80 pounds for Gymnasium Fund. Mardi Gras also raises money for gymnasium.
New Admin Block & Barracks Week Dropped
New Assembly and Administration block built. Hargest drops Barracks Week.
School Gate Opening Ceremony
School Gate Opening Ceremony takes place.
School Production & Sports Champion
School Production "That Scoundrel Scapin". Liz Douglas is School Sports Champion.
Fundraising for the Gymnasium
In 1964, teacher Norman Jones spearheaded a massive community fundraising drive—including the "Great Bath Push" (students pushing a wheeled bathtub from Dunedin to Invercargill)—raising funds to construct the first gymnasium, which was officially opened by Olympic runner Peter Snell in November 1967.
Reversed Timetable
Periods 1-7 were reversed one day each week for no known reason.
Heating Outage & School Production
No heating at school for three weeks. School Production "Tele-Ho".
United Nations Branch Formed
Branch of the United Nations formed at Hargest.
Woolf-Fisher Trust Overseas Tour
Mr E. F. Rive selected for Woolf-Fisher Trust overseas tour.
Sir Edmund Hillary Visit & Famine Relief
Sir Edmund Hillary visits Hargest. Hargest pupils raise money for Famine Relief by holding "Me and Miss Hargest" Competition.
School Production & Bath Push
School Production "Wanted One Body". Bath Push from Dunedin to Invercargill to raise money for Canteen.
Principal Rive Departure & Hunger Strike
Mr Rive leaves Hargest for Pakuranga High School. Hunger Strike for U.N. Week.
Burt Munro - World Record holder motorcycle speed
In 1967, Burt Munro, a 68-year-old New Zealand native, set a new official land speed record for motorcycles. He achieved a remarkable speed of 184.087 mph while racing his heavily modified 1920 Indian Scout Streamliner across the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA. Munro's achievement, with an unofficial top speed of 205.67 mph, remains a significant milestone in motorcycle history.
Arrival of Mr B. N. Dawe
Mr B. N. Dawe arrives from Darfield High School.
School Production: The Playboy of The Western World
School Production - "The Playboy of The Western World".
South Island Basketball Victory & Debt
J.H.H.S. wins South Island Secondary Schools Basketball Competition. Hargest in the red to the tune of 1600 pounds.
Peter Snell Visit & Woolf Fisher Scholarships
Peter Snell visits new gymnasia. Miss N. Macdonald and Mr M. R. Bailey gain Woolf Fisher Travel Scholarships.
AFS Display & University Scholarships
A.F.S. wall display unveiled. B. Rhind gains University Junior Scholarships.
Class with Mr Tucker
Class photo with Mr Tucker in 1967.
Leadership Transition
Bruce N. Dawe was appointed as the second Rector in 1967, serving for 17 years until 1983.
School Production: Arms and The Man
School Production - "Arms and The Man".
10th Anniversary Reunion
The school marks 10 years since opening in 1958, welcoming back foundation students and early staff.
Mr and Mrs Pfukani Arrive
African teaching couple - Mr and Mrs Pfukani arrive at Hargest.
Uniform Caps Optional
Caps become optional as uniform.
School Production & Grants
School Production - "Solid Sensible Southland". School receives grant of $15,900 for administration extensions and $5,130 for roofing of "A" block.
University Junior Scholarship
M. Brett wins University Junior Scholarship.
Roll & Facility Growth
The student roll expanded from under 100 in 1958 to over 1,065 by 1969. Main construction included Blocks E and F, a new administration building, and additional prefabricated classrooms.
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