They were charged with sorting them into registration packs for the 600 guests expected at the college's centenary celebrations, which begin today.
The school opened its doors during World War 1, after the Rev Alexander White campaigned with the Presbytery for a girls' school in Dunedin, based on Presbyterian values. The Presbytery finally agreed, and on February 13, 1915, classes began in the Bishopscourt building on Highgate.
A century later, the school has grown and now educates young women and junior boys.
Columba centenary committee co-chairwoman Lynda Wright-Sear said the oldest attending former pupil would be singing teacher Honor McKellar (94), who was a pupil from 1932-36, and intended joining many of the events.
Mrs Wright-Sear said the main events included a family centenary picnic and light show on the school grounds this evening; the official opening tomorrow night with a cocktail party at the Glenroy Auditorium; a celebration of a century at Columba at the Savoy on Saturday where present pupils will display uniforms and other items from life at the school through the years; and ''the party of the century'' at the Glenroy on Saturday night - a black tie and frocks dine and dance with live music.
In between, there would be group gatherings, tours of the school, displays featuring Columba through the decades and, for those wanting entertainment of the more energetic kind, a netball game between past and present pupils in the Marsh Sports Centre on Saturday at 4pm, she said.
The celebrations will conclude on Sunday with a commemorative church service at the Dunedin Town Hall, and a farewell garden party.
''It's pretty full-on. Once you arrive, you won't stop.
''Most of the registered guests will go all weekend and then collapse at the end,'' Mrs Wright-Sear said.
