Sumner School is calling on former pupils, staff and families around the world to reconnect as it prepares to celebrate its 150th anniversary.

The Christchurch seaside school, also known as Te Kura o Matuku Takotako, was founded in 1876 and has taught six generations of local children.

However, with no complete alumni database, organisers are relying on the public to help find the generations of people who have been connected to the school and gather their memories, photographs and stories.

The search has already attracted significant interest, with 200 people registering during the first few weeks and nearly 600 joining the official Facebook group.

Registrations have been received from across New Zealand, Australia and Europe, with some former pupils already booking flights home for the celebrations.

Several families with multiple generations of former Sumner School pupils have also registered, while organisers are hoping the public can help identify the school’s oldest living former student.

Principal Anna Granger said generations of tamariki and whānau had contributed to the school’s story.

“Many are now spread across Aotearoa and around the world, but their connection to this place remains,” Granger said.

“Whether you attended Sumner School yourself, or have parents, grandparents or wider whānau who did, we’d love to hear your stories and welcome you back.”

The anniversary celebrations will be held from Monday 12 October until Saturday 17 October.

Former pupils, families and members of the wider Sumner community will be invited to tour the school and explore its history on Friday 16 October.

Saturday’s programme will include photographs for different decades of former pupils and the school’s 150th Reunion Gala.

The celebrations have also expanded beyond the school grounds, with local businesses supporting a heritage trail through Sumner village and other community organisations planning events during the same week.

The school is collecting memories, old class photographs and mementoes for a project titled 150 Years of Stories.

Current pupils will also become historians during Term 3, researching 150 years of the school’s people, places and learning before sharing their work during the October celebrations.

Granger said the anniversary was about more than recognising the passage of time.

“It’s about helping our tamariki understand they’re part of something bigger than themselves, and deepening their sense of tūrangawaewae, of where they belong,” she said.

Former pupils, parents, staff members, principals, board members, PTA volunteers and others with a connection to Sumner School can register through the Sumner School 150 website.

Tickets are expected to go on sale in August, with registered attendees and members of the Facebook group receiving first access.

Sumner School is a full primary school for pupils in Years 0 to 8 and currently has a roll of 306.