Our History
Exploring the rich heritage and milestones of James Hargest College
School Production "The Pirates of Penzance"
School Production - "The Pirates of Penzance".
School Production "South Pacific"
School Production - "South Pacific".
School Production "Me and My Girl"
School Production - "Me and My Girl".
School Production "Brigadoon"
School Production - "Brigadoon".
School Production "Annie Get Your Gun"
School Production - "Annie Get Your Gun".
Opening of $2.2M Library & Guidance Centre
The $2.2 million Information Centre, Library, and Careers/Guidance suite was officially opened by alumna Justice Christine French and Murray Frost.
School Production "Big River"
School Production - "Big River".
The 2005 Reorganisation Merger
Following an Invercargill school network review by the Ministry of Education, James Hargest High School merged with Rosedale Intermediate and Collingwood Intermediate in 2005 to form James Hargest College.
Dual-Campus Structure
The new College catered to Year 7–13 students operating across two nearby sites on Layard Street: the Junior Campus (Years 7–8) and the Senior Campus (Years 9–13).
School Production "Les Misérables"
School Production - "Les Misérables".
School Production "Jesus Christ Superstar"
School Production - "Jesus Christ Superstar".
Modern Facilities & Academic Achievements
Between 2005 and 2008, the Junior Campus classrooms and library were completely redeveloped, while the Senior Campus opened a state-of-the-art Information Centre library and Careers/Guidance suite. By 2008, total student enrolment exceeded 1,700 pupils. In 2007, student Kevin Lo set a national record by earning seven NCEA Level 3 New Zealand Scholarships in a single year.
50th Golden Jubilee
The school marks its 50th Golden Jubilee reunion, celebrating five decades of education, sports, and culture in Southland.
School Production "Grease"
School Production - "Grease".
School Play "Brigadier"
School Play - "Brigadier". A play about the life and times of Brigadier James Hargest.
Ka Hikitia – The Step Up
A photograph capturing Year 9 students and teachers marching from the Junior Campus to the Senior Campus along Layard Street to mark the start of the 2008 school year.
Principal Paul O'Connor announces his resignation
On 24 August 2009, Paul O'Connor, who had been Principal since 1993, announced his resignation from the role due to retirement. He remained principal until the end of 2009
Mr. O'Connor's successor announced
Andy Wood was announced as Paul O'Connor's successor in the role. Wood was principal of Central Southland College in nearby Winton. Wood was also deputy principal of the college from 1982 to 2009.
School Production "Oklahoma!"
School Production - "Oklahoma!".
50th Golden Jubilee Celebrations
Hundreds of former pupils gathered at James Hargest College for the 50th Golden Jubilee (29 Jan–1 Feb 2009). The weekend included a powhiri, school tours, planting of a golden elm tree, an official dinner with guest speaker Jon Gadsby, and Jonathan Tucker’s production of Brigadier. Foundation pupils, including first head girl Lesley Wright (nee Wilkes), returned to commemorate the 1958 opening year.
Part of this story?
Join the Hargest alumni network to find your classmates, share your memories and hear about reunions.