Throw Back at Mack: A Decades-Themed Open House

Throw Back at Mack: A Decades-Themed Open House

13 December 2025Liza D, Mackenzie '26

On November 22nd, the campus was transported back in time to the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s at the Mackenzie Open House. The prefects and house staff worked tirelessly for months to plan, organize, and pull off the most successful Open House Mackenzie has experienced for some time.

Mr Neil Robinson, spouse of our Houseparent, Mrs Sue Cheung, had pitched the idea of having a decade theme, and the prefects were on board. “I think Mack is the perfect venue for a “decades” event because each level of the house can have its own character, and that lets it be something for everyone. Who wouldn’t love a party like that?” And boy, was he correct. The students got a taste of the groovy 70s, neon 80s, grunge 90s, and the Y2K 2000s while the staff enjoyed a nice testimony to their childhoods. It was a great success.

Upon entering, visitors were welcomed with a foyer full of streamers, loud music, and lots of people. The outfits varied from the Privett boys in quarter zips and ties, a more sophisticated look, to Whittall in jerseys, side caps, and chains, a more laid-back version. There was even a grade 8 student, Greyson M, who went all out and gelled his hair up into some punky spikes and wore a rock band shirt. Students could choose their favourite decade and have fun interpreting what an outfit from that decade looked like. It was nice not only to see the school community come together at Mack House, but also to get a look at each other’s dance moves in the crazy mosh pit in the common room. “Mack house was the place to be,” stated Josephine D, Mackenzie Interhouse Captain ‘26.

The purpose of an Open House is to let off some steam from the busy schedule we all endure, eat some pizza, and get to know each other a little better by seeing how we live. We heard both complaints and shock as to the size difference between the boys’ house dorm rooms and the girls’. Quentin J, Whittall ‘26 exclaimed, “I could only dream of having a room this big, and a bathroom so spacious.” Each boarding house has its own knick-knacks that make it unique. This is part of what gives each house its own traditions and experiences that are exclusive to those a part of it. Like the beloved tea time with Robbie on Monday nights, known by few, loved by all. Unfortunately, it was far too busy to display this tradition during the Open House.

Mackenzie’s four floors meant that each could display a different decade. Bottom floor was the 80s with Just Dance in a room to simulate an 80s workout class. The second floor held the 2000s and contained the mosh pit and some water pong. The third floor was the 90s, and it had a cool hangout spot with couches and some 90s hip-hop playing lightly. Finally, the 70s were tucked up in the stratosphere with a cool mirror decorated to take pictures with your friends to make the memories last longer.

A huge thank you goes out to the Mackenzie prefects, all the staff who are a part of Mackenzie House, and everyone who came to support! I hope everyone had a blast from the past!

Liza D, Mackenzie ‘26

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