Long Bay College proudly celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2025, marking five decades of growth, achievements, and community spirit. Since opening in 1975 with just 258 students, 13 dedicated teachers, and a vision for the future, our college has come a long way. What began as a small school in a rural setting, with relocatable classrooms and few resources, has transformed into a thriving educational institution with nearly 2,000 students and state-of-the-art facilities.

Our Beginnings

Founded in 1975 under the leadership of our first principal, Ian Sage, Long Bay College welcomed only Third Form students in its inaugural year. The early years were marked by perseverance, as teachers worked with limited equipment and parents played a crucial role in fundraising to establish the school. The college grounds were stark, without trees or shade, and the elements were unforgiving. Despite these challenges, the collective spirit of staff, students, and the community laid the foundation for the outstanding school we have today.

How Far We’ve Come

Today, Long Bay College is a dynamic learning environment with modern classrooms, exceptional sports facilities, and a vibrant arts and culture scene. Our students benefit from an outstanding education, preparing them for a future of success. As we reflect on our journey, we take pride in how much the school has grown and the impact it has had on thousands of students over the past five decades.

50th Anniversary Celebrations

To honour this milestone, we will be celebrating throughout 2025 with a series of exciting events:

📅 Friday 13 June – Alumni “Beat the Teachers” Quiz Night

Get a team together and take on your former teachers in a night of fun, trivia, and friendly rivalry. Ticket go on sale soon!

⚽ Saturday 14 June – Home Turf Challenge @ LBC

Enjoy a day of spirited sports fixtures all held at LBC where students battle it out against local rival colleges in Rugby, Football, Netball and Basketball. Spectators welcome.

🏉 Thursday 18 & Friday 19 September – Alumni Sports Day

A College favourite — past students return to take on current premier teams in competitive and spirited matches. Register here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=yVmjCtuvEEiWLSiRMHv1BvudLBNgMe5HooMcvrIA10RUOEVSNFQzUldMQzA3N0xMMDhCQ003SkRYUi4u

🎭 Friday 24 October – Alumni Performing Arts Production

Join us for a special evening showcasing the incredible talents of our alumni in a one-off 50th anniversary stage performance.

🎓 Saturday 25 October – 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner

7:00 PM, North Shore Golf Club

Reconnect with classmates and staff at this formal evening of celebration, reflection, and reconnection.

🎟️ Tickets available at: www.longbaycollege.com/tickets

☕ Sunday 26 October – Morning After Brunch

Long Bay Surf Club

Ease into Sunday with a relaxed brunch by the beach. A chance to debrief from the Gala Dinner, share a few final laughs, and say farewell to those who’ve travelled from near and far for the 50th.

🎉 Saturday 22 November – Long Bay Live

12pm-4pm, Long Bay College Sports Field

Celebrate with the entire community at our biggest public event of the year!

Live music, food trucks, market stalls, entertainment and more — a family-friendly day not to be missed.

Join the Celebration!

We invite all alumni, past and present staff, and the wider community to be part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations. Whether you want to attend an event, reconnect with old friends, or share your memories, this is a time to reflect on our school’s incredible journey and look ahead to the future.

Let’s come together to celebrate 50 years of Long Bay College – a legacy built by our students, staff, and community!

Capturing History: LBC50 Formation Photo Unites the College Community

To mark a milestone 50 years in the making, Long Bay College recently brought together its entire student and staff community for a truly unforgettable moment — forming a giant “LBC 50” on the school field.

This powerful image symbolises more than just a celebration of the College’s golden anniversary. It represents unity, pride, and a shared history that connects generations of students and teachers. With nearly 2,000 people involved, careful coordination was key — and special thanks go to a group of talented maths students who calculated the precise measurements needed to bring the formation to life. The result was a once-in-a-lifetime memory for our current students and an iconic photo that will become part of Long Bay College history.

As we honour five decades of education, connection, and community spirit, we’re excited to invite alumni, past staff, and the wider LBC whānau to join us at a series of events throughout 2025 celebrating this extraordinary milestone.

The LBC 50th Anniversary Art Challenge – Entries have now CLOSED winner will be announced soon!

Long Bay College is turning 50! To celebrate this milestone, we invite all students to take part in our exciting 50th Anniversary Art Competition. This is your chance to showcase your creativity and capture the essence of our school, its values, and its vibrant community.

The Challenge

Create an original artwork that reflects:
✅ The core values of Long Bay College – Care, Respect, Creativity, and Community
✅ The location of our school and its beautiful surroundings or
✅ The spirit of school life and what LBC means to you

Your artwork can be in any medium – painting, digital art, photography, or any other form of visual creativity!

Categories & Prizes

To encourage participation across all year levels, there will be two categories:

Junior (Years 9-10)
Senior (Years 11-13)

A winner will be selected from each category, with additional prizes for highly commended entries.

Submission Guidelines

Maximum artwork size: No bigger than A3 size. However submissions should be within a reasonable scale for potential printing or digital use.
Format: Any traditional or digital medium can be used. Physical works to be scanned or photographed.
Entries must be submitted digitally and submitted via email to [email protected].

🏆The Winning Artwork

The winning piece will play a special role in our 50th Anniversary celebrations! It will be showcased at events and may even be featured on merchandise like tote bags and cards.

Important Dates

📅 Final Submission Date: Monday, 28th April (first day of Term 2) – so use the school holidays to create something amazing!

Judging & Exhibition

👩‍⚖️ Your artwork will be reviewed by special guest judges and LBC alumni.
🖼️ All entries will be displayed in an exhibition to celebrate your creativity.

Don’t miss this chance to be part of Long Bay College history! Start creating and let your art tell the story of LBC’s incredible journey.