For the first time ion approx 75 years, New Plymouth does not have a multi-school board. In August all 3 high schools established separate independent boards.
In February, TOPEC (Taranaki Outdoor Pursuits & Educational Centre) that Mr. Phil Gayton(P.E.staff) had spent 4 years establishing was opened with 30 Spotswood College students taking the very first 5-day course.
In late-February, the Principal Mr. E.E. Thomas is stood down and then resigns on 6th May. The deputy-Principal Mr. Barry Finch served as acting Principal and was subsequently appointed as the 3rd Principal of the College.
27th March: Mr. Gayton completes a summit climb of Mt.Egmont with 14 senior students & 4 adults.
Spotswood sells "Four Leaf Clover Stickers" for the Multiple Sclerosis Society as a fund-raiser.
Jennifer Smart, Michael Sharp, Mark Dines and Collette Wilson all attend a Spirit of Adventure course.
40 students take part in the annual OPC trip to Turangi
Tragedy strikes Spotswood when a one-year Rotary exchange student-Monica Backman from Sweden was killed in a car accident on Monday 30th October.
The inaugural Sports Awards function was held in the assembly hall on Wednesday 23rd September with Sally Hale taking out the supreme award- the Sportsperson of the Year for 1987.
The First XV Rugby team played games against Tamaki College(Auckland) and 2 visiting overseas teams from Canberra(Australia) and Vancover(Canada).
Summer sports exchange to Freyberg for Cricket and Tennis teams.
The 1st XV Rugby team host a team from Lord Byng Secondary School in Vancover, Canada.
Physical Education teacher Mr. Phil Gayton is awarded a New Plymouth City Council "Citizen's Award" for outstanding contributions to the community.
The most significant event of the year was the retirement of Miss Janet Grant who had been the senior mistress for 21 years. Miss Grant was a person of such outstanding characteristics of dedication and high ideals. Many generations of pupils owe her a tremendous debt of gratitude.