Our School Icons The Puriri Tree

The Puriri Tree

Trees and plants can be planted to remember things and people. The puriri tree next to our library is remembered in honour of Alexander de Montalk. Alexander de Montalk started teaching here at Grey Lynn School in 1914 in the 6th year of the school. After 8 months Alexander was off to war. He said goodbye to his beloved students and left planting a small puriri sapling. Years have passed and the small sapling has sprouted into one of the oldest trees in our school. To this very day we remember Alexander de Montalk, a teacher who left for war and was loved and remembered for many reasons. He will never be forgotten. by Lucy