The 91-year-old from Mandeville was among about 350 people who attended the Lawrence District Schools 150th anniversary celebrations held at the Lawrence Area School at the weekend.
''I didn't enjoy school very much,'' the former Waitahuna West School pupil said.
''I was always a farm boy. I loved the outdoors.''
His indifference to school meant he got into strife, although ''there wasn't much room for playing up''.
''I remember being caned by one of the male teachers,'' he said.
''He put me over the desk ... and thrashed me but I was the sort of boy who wouldn't cry, because I wanted to prove a point.''
Mr Roughan attended Waitahuna West School from when he was 5 until leaving when 13.
He still vividly remembers the walk, and occasional horse ride, to school.
''We walked three mile [5km] to school,'' he said.
''I made a wheelbarrow [at woodwork] and I pushed it home three mile because I was so proud when it was done.''
He enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with old friends at the anniversary celebrations.
Organising committee chairman Jim Crawford was pleased with the turnout, saying, ''It's been interesting seeing old faces from the past,'' he said.
The celebrations kicked off with an informal ''catch up'' on Friday.
''It was an excellent catch-up and the whole room was abuzz with talking.''
Lawrence Area School principal John Auld was pleased with the turnout and said it was interesting discussing the school's direction with former staff.
''They are all incredibly interested in what's happening at the school,'' he said.
''It's just a wonderful turnout of people past and present and enhanced by this gorgeous weather,'' he said.
The anniversary celebrations concluded with a barbecue lunch yesterday.
