Two Auckland primary schools are making headlines for different reasons, one by delving into its rich century-long history and the other by launching a forward-thinking initiative to promote a healthier future for its students. Milford School is preparing for its centenary celebration, while Sunnybrae Normal School has just completed its first successful 'Walk or Wheel' week.
These events highlight the evolving role of schools as not only centres for learning but also as crucial hubs that reflect and shape their communities, honouring their past while tackling modern-day challenges like traffic congestion and child well-being.
Sunnybrae champions active travel
Sunnybrae Normal School has been buzzing with a different kind of energy this week as it embraced its first-ever 'WOW Week' (Walk or Wheel week), marking its inaugural year as a Travelwise school. The initiative is a partnership with Auckland Transport, designed to improve road safety and encourage students to get active on their journey to school.
Throughout the week, an impressive number of tamariki chose to walk, bike, or scooter to school, leaving the car at home. The Travelwise program focuses on two key goals: enhancing road safety awareness for children travelling to and from school and promoting 'Active Travel' to get students moving their bodies instead of sitting in a vehicle.
The importance of active travel extends beyond just physical fitness. According to the school, being active before the school day begins helps to wake up the brain, which can lead to improved concentration in the classroom. It also contributes to building strong and healthy bodies from a young age. Furthermore, the program has significant environmental benefits. Fewer cars at the school gate during peak drop-off and pick-up times mean less traffic congestion, cleaner air around the school, and a healthier planet for everyone. This aligns with broader city-wide goals to reduce carbon emissions and make Auckland\'s transport network more sustainable. The Travelwise programme is a key part of Auckland Transport\'s strategy to foster a culture of walking and cycling from a young age. In other developments, Sydney schools mandate e-bike registration for students.
A 'funky' finish to a week of walking
The week of activity culminated in 'Funky Feet Friday', a day where students and staff were encouraged to show off their brightest and most creative footwear. The playground became a vibrant sea of colourful socks, glittery laces, and unique shoes, celebrating the week's success in a fun and inclusive way.
To mark the occasion, the school held a special assembly attended by Cathy from Auckland Transport and the organisation’s mascot, Max the Pukeko. They helped present prizes to students who had demonstrated an outstanding commitment to active travel throughout the week.
School officials extended a heartfelt thank you to all the parents and whānau who supported their children's participation, acknowledging that such initiatives are only possible with strong community buy-in. The school hopes to maintain the momentum and continue encouraging families to choose active ways to get to school.
Milford School prepares for centenary milestone
Meanwhile, on the other side of the North Shore, Milford School is looking back through the archives as it prepares to celebrate a momentous milestone: its centenary. From its establishment in 1926 to the present day in 2026, the school has been a cornerstone of the Milford community, educating thousands of students over the decades.
To honour its 100-year history, the school will be holding a major celebration over Labour Weekend this year. It is extending an open invitation to all past pupils, former staff members, and local families to join in the festivities and reconnect with the school's storied past.
The event aims to be a reflection of the generations of families who have passed through the school's halls, celebrating its role as the 'heart of Milford'. Such celebrations of local history are vital for fostering community spirit, similar to how cultural events like the recent Tokelau Easter Festival unite people across the city.
A call for a century of memories
In preparation for the event, organisers are compiling a comprehensive archive and creating a 'Memory Wall'. Sara Baker, who is coordinating the centenary, has put out a public call for contributions from anyone connected to the school's past. The preservation of local history can take many forms, from physical spaces like the Avondale Racecourse to community-led archive projects like Milford's.
Alumni and their families are encouraged to dig through their old belongings for photos, stories, and memorabilia. The school is eager to receive digital copies of photos from any era, whether black-and-white portraits from the 1940s or vibrant snapshots from the neon-coloured 80s. Contributions can be sent to centenary@milford.school.nz.
They are also particularly interested in recording oral histories from anyone who attended the school before 1960. Those with old school uniforms, report cards, certificates, or simply a funny memory of a favourite teacher are encouraged to get in touch with the school office to share their piece of history.
Schools as the cornerstone of Auckland communities
The milestones at both Milford and Sunnybrae reflect the deep-rooted history of schools shaping Auckland's suburbs. The city's educational landscape has been built over more than a century by institutions that grow and adapt with their communities. For instance, Edendale Primary School, established in 1909 with just 146 students, saw its roll swell to over 900 by 1925, making it one of the largest primary schools in New Zealand at the time.
This rapid growth led to the construction of new schools in surrounding areas to accommodate the booming population, demonstrating how schools have long been central to suburban development. Edendale's history also tracks the changing face of Auckland; non-European students made up just 7% of the roll in 1966, a figure that rose to over 95% by the early 1990s, comprised mainly of Māori and Pacific families.
This long history of evolution is a shared story across the city. As Milford School prepares to honour its 100-year legacy by preserving the very memories that define its community, a similar spirit of community-building is taking root in San Diego, where leaders are pushing for a permanent Holocaust museum to ensure history is not forgotten.
From preserving the past to building a healthier future, Auckland's schools remain central to the lives of its residents. For Milford, the next step is gathering the countless stories that fill its 100-year history. The school is encouraging anyone with memories to share, no matter how small, to come forward and help piece together the rich tapestry of its past ahead of the Labour Weekend celebrations.
