OTHER THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Almost 550 people have registered as of the beginning of August but we need to keep getting the word out so if you know other Onslovians, make sure they are aware of the reunion. More importantly get them to come along. At a rough count over 30 are coming back from across the Tasman. In addition we have registrations from Canada and Great Britain.

Quite a few people have paid their registration but have not gone any further and paid up for any of the events. They are Friday evening BBQ soiree, Sunday afternoon bus tour and the Sunday evening dinner and dance. Look at the registration form on page 4 for cost details and how to pay. Register and pay NOW!! Partners are welcome – at the same price for the events but they do not pay the $25 registration.

Please do not leave it until your arrival at the college to register. Advance bookings are much preferred. There will be a cut off date for Sundays Dine and Dance for catering purposes. MC for the dinner is the one and only, incomparable Catherine Delahunty.

Smoking
By law the Onslow College buildings and grounds are smoke free at all times. This will be strictly adhered to and policed. If you want to drag on a fag you will have to leave the college grounds. (The pines are not an option).

Kapiti Bus
If you live on the Kapiti Coast and would like to travel to and from the Friday and Sunday functions let us know by emailing 0nslow50th@paradise.net.nz. If we get the numbers we can set it up. There will be a cost and it will have to be pre-pay. If you let us know promptly we can get sorted well in advance. In addition a bus from Onslow to town and return for the Sunday Dinner is booked. A small charge will apply.

Cheques
The organizing committee will not accept cheques at any stage. So please bring a Bankcard or an EFTPOS card.

Rowing
There will be a small charge for lunch at the Sunday rowing function. Bring some cash.

Note
If you do not register this will be the last newsletter you’ll receive! From now on the distribution list will focus on Onslovians who have indicated they are coming.

The Onslow College Arboretum Project
Running roughly north from the Karori Sanctuary there is an almost continuous natural native corridor which runs through Otari, Kaiwharawhara Gorge, Trelissick Park, along the Johnsonville hill line to Mount Kaukau and over and down to Onslow College.

As an extension of the existing bush corridor, Onslow College has set aside half a hectare of land above its Burma Road boundary to develop into a native bush arboretum. As it grows and develops Onslow’s arboretum will become another feeding and breeding ground for our endangered native birds, and a valuable learning and recreational area for our students and the wider community.

The land set aside for the Arboretum was formally blessed and the first stage of the project officially launched with the dedication of the land in March 2002. The objective of the first stage of the project was to remove inorganic rubbish, weeds and the large pines from the site. We also aimed to cut the main circular track, begin work on a Remembrance Garden for students who have passed away, design and construct seating, rubbish bins and signage, further develop Onslow’s plant nursery facilities and co-ordinate the formal launch of Stage Two in 2006.

Beginning in 2002, Year 9 classes have been involved in a project within the arboretum. They have planted trees, ‘spherescaped’, made and installed paving slabs, designed and constructed rubbish bins and this year the students will be creating macrocarpa seats.

Thanks to the financial support of the Onslow PTA, Wellington City Council grants, Johnsonville Garden Club donations, support from local businesses and the hard work of parents, teachers and students, we are on track to meeting most of our Stage 1 objectives.

The second stage of the project will see ongoing maintenance and planting and the development of the Arboretum as a learning and recreational facility.

We see this project linking with many aspects of the curriculum such as social studies, health, design, science, technology, horticulture, biology, English, Maori, journalism, drama and film.

The project will help and encourage the students to create and maintain their own sustainable, natural and beautiful physical environment. It also provides an ongoing link with both student’s families and the wider college community as they become involved in the project and begin to utilise it as a recreational facility.

We will be formally launching the Arboretum project as part of Onslow’s 50^th anniversary celebrations.

Please join us on Saturday 21 October 2006 at 2.00pm to unveil the first of the signs to be erected in the Arboretum. There will also be an opportunity to purchase and/or plant a small tree or shrub with your name inscribed on one of our specially designed 50^th anniversary plant labels.

We look forward to you joining us.