However, rounding up everyone outside at what is believed to be Otago's largest school is an easy task in an area where herding is a part of life.
Principal David Hunter was at the helm yesterday, ushering all pupils and 85 teachers into the middle of the school for a collective photo.
Unsurprisingly, after the roll rose by almost 100 pupils this year, the school canteen struck a record on the first day back, he said.
''It made $700 in half an hour. Probably in this weather ice blocks are the most popular thing. So all the logistics like that are quite significant, I guess.''
He stopped midsentence to reroute a stray class heading to the field.
''Hey guys, we're going here now. We're just going to take ourselves into the middle of the school, nice and cosy.''
A pupil asked: ''You're going to try to get 1100 people in the middle of the school?''
''It'll be tight, but we'll find a way,'' Mr Hunter replied.
Back on track, he said the biggest logistic struggle from the increased roll was staffing.
''There are not as many teachers around as there has been. We've got 10 new teachers starting this year, as well as some leaving.''
Its newly opened auditorium fits only 550 people, so school assemblies are split into three.
The only time everyone was in one place was for special outdoor events such as teachers leaving.
Another teacher approaches.
''So do we want them just in a big mass?''
Mr Hunter nods.
Looking at the jumbled rows of pupils Mr Hunter admits knowing each student's name is a thing of the past.
''But I try to learn as many as possible and get among the kids.''
After the drone flying overhead takes the snap they are released and rush away in organised chaos.
''That wasn't bad was it? That was like two minutes.''
