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There was a surprise in store for Snells Beach boy Daniel Barnett when he graduated from Matakana School at the end of last year.
At the final assembly, and when all the other prizes had been awarded, principal Darrel Goosen called Daniel up, presented him with a special certificate and told him that he was being ordered to return to the primary school – in 2062.
The reason for the 45-year summons was that when Matakana School celebrated its 150th anniversary in March, 2012, Daniel had just turned five and was the school’s youngest pupil. As a result, he was chosen to play a key role in the anniversary celebrations and helped bury a time capsule in the school’s Friendship Garden.
When staff realised the 150th anniversary year intake were leaving school in December, they decided to mark the occasion and make sure Daniel remembered his special role.
His certificate reads: “Daniel Barnett is hereby ordered to return to Matakana School in 2062. He must ensure that the time capsule that was buried in The Friendship Garden at the 150th Anniversary celebration in 2012 is opened with the necessary respect and celebration.”
Daniel’s Mum, Sue, said the presentation was unexpected. “It was a complete surprise. I nearly didn’t go to the assembly, as they’d had their graduation the week before,” she said. “It was just a lovely way to end his school life at Matakana.”
