1970 - (Year 11)

  • Roll grows to 1226 (379 new 3rd formers), and staff shortages continue.(Teacher shortages have been around since 1949.)
  • The Activities Fee is $3.00 for one family member and $5.50 for two or more.
  • Talks of internal assessment replacing examinations, and new and different subjects being introduced.
  • Builders continue to remain on-site as more buildings are added to the campus.
  • 18 evening classes.
  • The name 7th Form replaces Upper Sixth form(formerly 6A) and Lower Sixth form(6B) became 6th form.
  • 11th March:- The new gymnasium is officially opened (Cost was $41,000.00).
  • Ropu Wawatai wins Regional final in the Korimako Speech contest.
  • Friday 20th March:- The Massed Choir and the Madrigal Singing group perform for Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at the Bowl of Brooklands.
  • Music & Cultural Tawa College exchanges reinstated. In March, Tawa College won the Debating; while their Musical groups visited in late-July.
  • The major production was "Listen to the Wind".
  • A mezzanine floor is added to the Library.
  • A Catamaran building and Sailing Club is formed to build a fleet of catamarans for the College pupils.
  • Monday 24th August:- 39 students and staff departed for another 6-day round trip of the South Island.
  • 4th-12th September:- 46 students and staff depart for an 9-day trip to Curious Cove in Queen Charlotte Sound.
  • Saturday 3rd October: After nearly 4 months of construction, the College's first 11ft catamaran yacht was launched. This was the first of a "McPhale's Navy" project, with 2 more planned for construction in 1971.
  • Sports teams:- 4 Rugby; 4 Soccer; 12 Netball; Boys & Girls Hockey; Cricket; Boys Basketball;
  • Freyberg and Tawa sports trips continue.
  • Karoline Nodder wins the Flannagan Cup Open Water swim.
  • In July, ex-spotswoodian Barnett Bond(1964-1967) becomes our first senior New Zealand representative by competing in Swimming at the IX Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland.