When more than 350 people arrived at Pongakawa School this weekend, in a way they were returning to their second home.

On Saturday they were greeted by current students singing Kiwi musician Dave Dobbyn's national hit ‘Welcome Home', which kicked off the school's 125th Jubilee celebrations.

Pongakawa School was established in 1892, with the school opening on February 22 with 17 students in a single school building.

But older former students returning this weekend possibly won't recognise the place on Old Coach Road. No original buildings remain – and today the school roll is about 320 students from Year 1 to 8.

But Principal Craig Haggo, who has been at the helm for 17 years, says returning former students will also be ‘coming home' to a school that still holds its traditional philosophy.

'It's the philosophy of the school – it should be like a second home to your family.”

'It promotes those family values and allows us to live life as an extended whanau rather than just a school where you arrive at the front gate and leave in the afternoon.”

'And while it is very strong on tradition and culture, after 125 years it is seen as quite innovative and forward-thinking.”

Craig says his school punches above its weight academically, in sports and other areas compared to city counterparts. 'It was a small rural school but it's grown a lot since I've been here.

'And one thing I've noticed is we have students whose families have moved back from as far away as Australia so their children can go to Pongakawa School like their parents or parent did. And that's quite humbling.”

One of those parents is Brigid Crawford, who is the school's Board of Trustees chair.

Brigid says the school's philosophy of being a second home will see this weekend 'be a celebration of not only the school but the community as well”.

'I've just mentioned two families – one has had five generations at the school and one has seen four generations go through our classes so there is a lot of local families that have been here for a long time.

'And it's quite neat when you find people who have a link to Pongakawa – there's a real passion there and an emotional link to our school – so I think that's why so many people are coming back for this jubilee.”

Celebrations started on Friday with a ‘Cruise and Catch-up', then on Saturday the former students posed for decade photographs, went on a guided tour of the school, then saw out the day with a dinner then dance.

Today there's memoirs in the marquee from 10am and a sausage sizzle.

'We are welcoming back people who have spent, in past years, a lot of time and a lot of hours during their school years. So that's quite special,” says Brigid.

And while past deputy principal Frances Patete has – in 35 years on staff – seen the community grow up to and around the school in many ways, she thinks it still lies at the heart of the community.

'Yes it is. For example, for our recent Grandparents Day we had close to 1000 people here.”

'It was huge; we were just blown away. So the support our school has is very, very lucky.”

And Fran says the school still hosts a very traditional and moving Anzac service 'because on our school memorial gates we have got 11 names of soldiers who didn't come home – six of them were past pupils”.

And Ag Day – with the animals and country craft-like activities – is also still alive, tying the school back to its early roots. 'It's a huge day and all of the community come to that.”

'That sort of love for a school doesn't pass you by.”