Cold goodbye to uniformity

ANDREW GORRIE/The Dominion Post

Wellington Girls' College pupils jump into Wellington Harbour yesterday.

It was the last time they had to wear a uniform, and they marked it with a splash.

Up to 200 Wellington Girls' College pupils leapt into Wellington Harbour yesterday afternoon, continuing a ritual that began about four years ago to mark the end of the school year.

The year 12 girls do not have to wear uniform next year, and followed in the footsteps of alumni before them, leaping into the chilly water at Frank Kitts Park.

This time they planned to make it bigger than ever by inviting Wellington College boys to egg and flour them as they got out.

But that plan fell through when teachers at the boys' college found out and kept them in class till 2pm, one of the girls said.

Despite the odd cut and the 12 to 13-degree water, they were elated by a last bit of freedom before NCEA exams began. "It was cold, freezing, but it was amazing," a dripping Corine Knorr, 17, said.

Even the few who did not take to the water were fully into the spirit.

Millie Barry-Walsh, 16, was taking a ribbing from her mates but was just not a strong swimmer or a fan of deep water.

"I'm here to take the photos," she said. "It's become a proud tradition, it's the final day of uniforms so it's saying goodbye to them."