1971: (Year 12)

• The number of large schools in N.Z continues- seven have over 1300 students and Spotswood is one of these with 1317 (394 new 3rd formers).
• On Tuesday 9th February, 15year old John Robert Bell drowned at Paritutu's back beach. The John Bell Memorial trophy was donated for "Improvement in Life Saving" in 1974.
• Mr. G. Gair the Associate Minister of Education visited Spotswood in early-October to consider the Department of Education giving official recognition to the "Schools within a School" concept that Spotswood has been using for 3 years.
• The Department has agreed to cap the roll at 1400 and will provide buildings for this number. A fourth N.P. secondary school will only happen if the roll, grows beyond 1400.(The proposed site is Frankley Road).
• The PTA asks about Spotswood establishing its own Board of Trustees.(Daily News, 13th July, 1971).
• 13 evening classes.
• Changes occur in the sixth and seventh form examination system.
• The major production was "Ten Little Niggers".
• Brass Band, Madrigal Singers, Orchestra and Massed Choir all continue to perform well. The Music trip to Tawa College took place on 29th-31st July.
• 3rd - 11th September the 9-day trip to Curious Cove.
• The Catamaran Club continues to construct the new craft.
• Sports exchanges with Freyberg and Tawa continue.
• Duke of Edinburgh scheme- Now in its fifth year at Spotswood. 14 Bronze, 8 silver, and 3 girls Ruth Ward, Susan Turner and Jennifer King completed and gained the Gold award. They will be presented with their Gold awards by the Governor-General in April, 1972.