Silver Jubilee Elm – Halswell School

This Horizontal Elm (Ulmus glabra ‘Horizontalis’) was planted on 6 May 1935 at Halswell School to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of the reign of King George V. The commemorative stone was presented by E. Paterson Esq., while A.D. Connel served as Chairman of the School Committee at the time of planting.

Founded in 1864, Halswell School is among Christchurch’s oldest primary schools, and the elm has stood through generations of pupils, staff, and community change. Over time, the tree also became a living memorial dedicated to the memory of former pupils Robert “Alex” Smith (1929), Peter Wood (1961), Demelza Rodgers (1984), Michael Burke (1993), Nathan McKenzie (1994), Mathew Bellamy (1999), Malinda Yee (1999), and Samantha Lawry (2001), who is further remembered through a nearby street bearing her name.

Following the 2010 Christchurch earthquakes, Halswell School underwent a complete reconstruction that was finished in 2015. The redevelopment created modern learning spaces and an indoor sports stadium, but the extensive reconfiguration of the grounds resulted in the removal of many historic trees. The survival of this Silver Jubilee Elm therefore provides an important living connection to the school’s earlier landscape and heritage (Hammer, J.R., 2026).