When Kath Kennedy, then Kath O'Neill, was 4 years old she was "packed off to school" by the family housekeeper.
"I walked all the way from Earnscleugh corner by myself," she said.
Though the 99-year-old Alexandra woman does not remember much else from her school days, her family's connection to the school remains.
She had nine children who all went to St Gerard's, then grandchildren and now, great-grandchildren.
Mrs Kennedy was a guest of honour at the school's centenary over the weekend.
The celebrations were officially opened by Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper on Saturday afternoon following a liturgy for the deceased and a meet and greet the night before.
After the official opening, about 250 guests had an afternoon tea, official photographs and then dinner at the Alexandra District Club.
Planning committee secretary Ellen Middendorf said it was fantastic to see a year's worth of planning come together for the weekend.
"It's such a pleasure to see everyone reconnect and it's really cool to see the living history of the school."
St Gerard's was opened as a convent and school in February 1912 after land was purchased from an old dredge master.
Then, at the invitation of Father George Hunt, the Mercy Community of Nuns sent four sisters to round up children and teach them.
In those days the school was just a chapel and one classroom for 49 pupils.
Now, there are six classrooms, five teachers and an average roll of 100 pupils.
