Sumner School
turns 150.
Est. 1876
A week of celebrations · 12–17 October 2026
150th Gala Event · Saturday 17 October
Te Kura o Matuku Takotako · Sumner, Christchurch
Nearly 200 already registered · 525 in the Facebook group · and growing.
For 150 years, Sumner School has been part of thousands of stories.
First days. Friendships. Lessons that lasted. Six generations of Sumner kids, the families who raised them, the teachers who taught them, and the people who kept the school running behind the scenes.
Now living everywhere from Christchurch to London, Sydney to Vancouver, and most places in between. We want you all back for this.
Six generations. Hundreds of classes. Thousands of stories.
A few of the faces that have walked these grounds. Recognise anyone?
More photos in the Facebook group. Got an old class photo? Post it there or email admin@sumner.school.nz.
Straight from the registration replies.
“I’m coming from the Netherlands for this.”
A registrant, travelling home
“My mother is an alum from the 1950s.”
Family of a 1950s alum
“My four sisters all attended too — and our stepfather, who was here as a child.”
One family, generations deep
Got a Sumner story to tell? Register and tick the “I’ve got a story” box, or post it in the Facebook group.
Help us find the alumni.
The hardest part of a 150-year reunion is finding everyone. There’s no master list. The diaspora is wide. Word of mouth does what we can’t.
If you’re connected to Sumner
Register your interest. You’ll get updates and first access to gala tickets when they go on sale in July 2026.
If you know someone who is
Forward this page. Past student, past staff, former PTA or board member — anyone with a Sumner connection. Tag someone with a story.
Already registered? Got an old photo or a story? Post it in the Facebook group or email admin@sumner.school.nz.
A week. Then a night.
A full week of celebrations from 12–17 October 2026, capped by the PTA Gala Event on Saturday 17 October. Draft programme below — more detail closer to the time.
In the school
Tuesday and Wednesday: school assemblies where the tamariki share their 150 stories inquiry learning, with school tours for the community to see the school in action. Thursday: House Day for current students.
The community day
Haka pōwhiri welcome to visitors. Open afternoon with the 150 stories exhibition and a Sumner history tour. From 5pm: registration, drinks and a social catch-up.
The big day
Morning: era reunions for current and ex staff, Board and PTA. Era photographs, speeches and cake. School tours and the 150 stories exhibition continue. Evening: PTA Gala Event.
The road to October.
Register once and we’ll keep you in the loop. Here’s when to expect each beat.
-
Now – June
Save the date is spreading.
Nearly 200 registered already. Forward this page to anyone with a Sumner connection — we’re building the alumni list as we go.
-
July 2026
Gala tickets on sale.
Registered alumni get first access. Book travel sooner rather than later if you’re coming from overseas.
-
Sept 2026
Full programme published.
Confirmed times, venues and detail for each day of the week.
-
12 – 17 Oct 2026
Sumner 150 celebration week.
We see you there.