Source: Ponsonby News, August 2009, by MARTIN LEACH




ON THE MORNING OF FRIDAY, 25TH JULY HIS Excellency, The Honourable Sir Anand Satyanand, GNZM, QSO, paid a visit to Richmond Road School. The Govenor General, (pictured third left), had had a strong connection to our local school as he had been a pupil there during the 1950s, and his visit kick started the children’s term-long study about the school’s history.

Following the Powhiri in the school hall, his excellency made time for questions from senior pupils (Year4-6) about his job and his time at Richmond Road School.

The Govenor General proved he had a sense of humour when one youngster asked him to recall his favourite time at school. Without hesitation he answered, “when the bell rang to announce school was over for the day.”

The children and teachers will be using the information they gain during the term to create a production that documents aspects of the school’s 125-year history.

The production coincides with the reunion for ex-pupils and staff planned to be held at the Dorothy Winstone Centre at Auckland Girls Grammar School on Thursday, 24th September. The school will be open the following day for guests to reminisce about their time at Richmond Road School.


During the Governor General’s visit to Richmond Road School late last month, his excellency (and wife Susan) took time to explain to the pupils how proud he was of the history of the school, which was established in 1884, and is celebrating 125 years next month. It was a very special occasion for him, being his own primary school.

Sir Anand Satyanand explained in a very interesting way to the pupils, a little of his role as Govenor General. Because New Zealand’s Head of State, Queen Elizabeth II, lives in London, his excellency is the Queen’s representative here and he has constitutional, ceremonial and community leadership roles. He told the assembled children and adults how he was responsible for signing laws, opening Parliament, appointing people to jobs, commemorating Anzac Day and Waitangi Day along with a number of school visits, as part of his community role.

“Teachers are providing you with the skills to read, write and do long division, and how to understand the world around you. It is the key that unlocks all that follows,” and he cautioned them to not let this time slip from their hands.

The importance of education is emphasised in the school’s motto: ‘Aim High’.

Richmond Road School has special ‘quadrilingual’ status, teaching in English, Māori, Samoan and French. The school’s motto emphasises how you have to be constantly engaged with learning.

He finished his speech with a Dr Seuss quote from, ‘I Can Read With My Eyes Shut’ - ‘The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.’