Our School Icons Memorial Plaques

My Great-grandfather Maiava Smith, was born 11th July 1930 and died 24th April 2003. He was part of the community of Grey Lynn with my Great Nana Doris. On Arbor Day 2006 a titoki tree was planted in memory of him and a memorial plaque was placed beside the tree. Nana Doris Smith worked to establish the first Samoan pre-school here at Grey Lynn School in the 1980s. The building is now our school library. Doris was on the Board of Trustees for our school and appointed our Principal, Mr Barker. by Kyle

(Photo shows "Nana" Doris Smith at Arbour Day in 2000 in the school forest)

This plaque is in a special garden, the Maree Bonnar garden on the fence line above the swimming pool.

Maree Bonnar was a parent of children at our school. Before she became ill, Maree worked hard on our school's parent group called FOGLS (Friends of Grey Lynn School). She was Chairperson of the St James Kindergarten Board and was one of the parent group which first rediscovered our school archives and the taonga they hold. Maree is missed by all who knew her. By Dorothy

The greetings board in the foyer of the present school's administration block is in memory of the first woman Principal of Grey Lynn School, Mrs Betty Christiansen. She was principal from 1983-1986.