This weekend one of the Western Bay's smallest schools celebrates its biggest milestone – turning 100.

And while the district has changed dramatically since 1914, teacher Alan Firth says many Whakamarama School values remain – which is why three generations of his family have been pupils.

Students performing at Whakamarama School's centenury. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

Oldest past student Toby Dawkins, 87, and youngest current student Nina Varley, 5.

Organising celebrations, Alan says the school's sole building opened near Puketoki Reserve in 1914 with 40 pupils up to Year 8 – but the original date is contested.

'There's quite a bit of conjecture about the date,” he says. 'It was actually opened by families working in the nearby mill owned by HH Sharplin.

'I'm pretty sure the mill put up the money, because they had all these kids racing around and they wanted them occupied.

'The Department of Education very quickly stepped in, to impose teaching criteria, and they even employed a teacher.”

Alan's mother Marie Firth (nee Hansen) went to ‘Whaka' school when it moved to 476 Whakamarama Rd in 1946.

'By then the mill was not the focal point of the district; a local Maori family donated the land.”

The school's roll keeps fluctuating; once 70-something, today there's 37 Year 1-8 pupils.

'Even though the district's grown the number of children hasn't, because most past pupils came from farming families.”

Alan was a pupil from 1966-1974. He adds: 'It was staffed by two teachers by then and a second classroom had been added; all built by locals.”

Last year his son Lewis, 13, and daughter Alice, 12, attended. Alice remains a pupil, and Alan's older son Jordan, now 21, also went to ‘Whaka'.

Asked why his family keeps enrolling children, Alan says: 'Because we live here.

'One thing that's always stood out is how the big kids look after the little kids.

'When you go to sporting events you're always the underdogs – the kids learn how to make the most of fellowship – even though you're up against it.”

Whakamarama's small size also ensures all children and parents know each other. 'All families just get stuck in to make things work – that's always been a feature.”

Principal Sue Waitai says current pupils have been learning the school's history.

'When you read what the roads, bush and school were like it's hard for today's pupils to understand.”

Sue says while the school has a new library, astroturf, plantings and technology, other things remain. 'We still heat two classrooms using fire.”

The school expects about 200 people, including families with multiple generations of past pupils to return this weekend – some for the first time in 20 years.

Celebrations began last night at Whakamarama Hall. Today, formalities unfold at the school from 10am followed by a sports afternoon and evening hall dance. For more details, visit: www.whakamarama.school.nz

Two families with three generations who've attended Whakamarama School are Marie, Alan and Alice Firth, 12, and Noel Birks, Fiona, Lillia, 7, and Nina Varley, 5. Photo Bruce Barnard.