1985: (Year 26)

  • 1985 is the final year of the University Entrance examination. It will be replaced in 1986 by Sixth Form Certificate as the sole national award for sixth form students.
  • A fund-raising campaign starts in an attempt to raise $110,000 to cover the swimming pool and build changing rooms.
  • Three long serving staff retire. Mr. Alan Page HOD English after 25 years (1961-1985); Mr. Peter Chapple HOD Science after 18 years (1968-1985), and Mr. Doug Ball HOD Mathematics & Physics after 17 years (1969-1985).
  • Spotswood raises $3300 for World Vision:40-hour famine.
  • The Interact Club was involved in several projects.
  • 40 students leave for an OPC course at Turangi. 
  • Graeme Staddon attends the Spirit of Adventure course.
  • College Maori Culture group formed.
  • I.S.C.F changes its name to Christians In Action (CIA) discussed many subjects during the year.
  • In June, two mini-buses of 7th form Geography & History students took part in a field trip to Rotorua, Kawerau, and Te Puke.
  • Major production:- Musical "HMS Pinafore".
  • Tawa won the Debating cup while Debra Wyatt won the best speaker cup.
  • Music:- Choir(40), Concert Band(24) and Orchestra(19) all had another eventful year.
  • Summer sports exchanges:- Tawa (away) for Boys' and Girls' Cricket, and mixed tennis and Freyberg (home) for Cricket and Tennis. Against Tawa Michael Howson scored 101 while Brett Coombe took 7 wickets for 69 runs. Against a very young Freyberg team, Brett Coombe took 7 wickets for 11 runs, and Shane McAuley 7 wickets for 25 runs.
  • Sports teams: 2 Boys' & 4 Girls' Basketball; 1 Girls' & 4 Boys' Cricket; Cycling; 1 Boys' & 2 Girls' Hockey; 14 Netball (a record); 4 Rugby; 5 Boys' and our first ever Girls' Soccer team; Boys' and Girls' Volleyball; and strong Triathlon and Quadrathlon teams.
  • The Quadrathlon team of Murray Barrett(Swim), George Stewart(Cyclist), Craig Ashman(Canoeist) and Ross Wilson(Runner) won the NZSS Quadrathlon title held at Wanganui recording a time of 2hr 25mins 3secs.