The GREAT Celebrity Global Tie Auction

Left: Donald Trumps personal collection monogrammed and signed tie. Donald was one of the first to respond to 11yo Cody Callaghan's request for a tie "Always Think Big Best wishes Donald Trump" - what an inspiration!

Boys take up the fundraising challenge...Collecting autographs for their school is a new sport for Waihi School pupils. The signatures are not just part of a boyhood collection. The boys are using it as a way of raising funds for the Centenary Complex, a new accommodation and dayboys facility for the school.

The boys have written to their favourite celebrities around the world telling them about themselves and why they admire them. The letter politely requests they sign an old tie and send it back. The ties will be auctioned online then the money put towards the $2million building fund.

Ties have been received from many famous people including American property developer, Donald Trump, tennis stars Roger Federer and Andy Murray, All Blacks and Richie McCawDan Carter, rugby coaches Graham Henry and Robbie Deans, Prime Minister John Key, Skateboarder Tony Hawk and Astronaut James Lovell among others. Television presenter Tamati Coffey signed a tie in person in Timaru and TV3’s John Campbell sent a tie that had been worn on air several times and said it ‘made him feel handsome”.

The ties are signed along with a Certificate of Authenticity validating the tie and saying why the tie is special to the owner. All Blacks Richie McCaw and Dan Carter have given special All Black ties.

Waihi is a boarding and day school for 8-12 year old boys in South Canterbury. It is set in a unique rural environment with expansive park-like grounds and playing fields where a healthy lifestyle complements quality education. Waihi School opened in 1907 and is owned and operated by the Waihi School Trust Board. Currently 116 pupils are enrolled for 2009. As an Independent school, all of the buildings are funded through fundraising.

Although small, Waihi School has a significant number of famous old boys many sportsmen, politicians and community leaders. These include Charles Upham, double VC winner, Bill Hamilton, jetboat pioneer, ex All Blacks Jack Hazlett and Robbie Deans.

The World's First Global Celebrity Tie Challenge can be followed by looking up Waihi School on Facebook and Twitter.

Anthony Horowitz Celebrity Tie

Anthony Horowitz is an English author of great repute, well known for his stories about Alex Rider, a 14 year old spy for British M16. He is also a writer for films, television and theatre.
Albert Hobson, Year 8, was delighted to receive his groovy green tie with the comment on the Certificate of Authenticity "I'm afraid it was a fashion crime".
Waihi School's Celebrity Tie Auction will be held in June and will be New Zealand's First Global Celebrity Tie Auction. Fans of Anthony will be able to bid on eBay to have their own piece of Anthony Horowitz.

Flying Start to 2010

2010 is up and running at Waihi School with 112 boys starting and a record for many years of 67 Boarders. The two new tennis courts are in use already. The courts are beside where the new boarding facility will be built this year
With boarding numbers rising there is great excitement about building the Centenary Complex. Stage One at a cost of $1.8million will commence once tenders are confirmed early this year. It is planned to hold a launch on completion.
With over $1.5 million raised for Stage 1, fundraising for Stage 2 of the Centenary Complex is underway. Our celebrity tie fundraiser will help the total. A total of 36 celebrity ties have been received and the ties will be sold online during 2010. Look out for further blogs showing our exciting array of signed ties...