On Wednesday 26 May 2004, 16-year-old Wayne went to school as usual. He was a gifted student, expecting to follow in his sister Hayley’s footsteps to engineering school at Auckland University. Mid-morning he was feeling unwell and reported to the school nurse. His glands were swollen, so the nurse contacted Wayne’s family asking for him to be picked up and taken to his GP. From the GP he went to North Shore hospital for blood tests. The diagnosis was Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Devastating news for Wayne and his family. Within 24 hours his life had changed from being a cheerful, fun loving school boy, to a cancer patient. Chemotherapy began the next day.

After two weeks of being immunosuppressed by the chemotherapy, Wayne developed a nasty and agonising rash around his left eye. It progressed at startling speed into his brain while the doctors tried to define the nature of the infection. Chemotherapy was stopped and once the infection was identified as mucormycosis, the strongest antifungal drugs were applied. Surgery removed infected bone from around his eye socket but nothing made any difference. By June 20, Wayne and his family were told that he could not be saved.

Meanwhile Wayne’s elder sister Lynda, recently qualified as a doctor, wondered whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy might impact the fungal infection. The family’s enquiries at the Auckland Hyperbaric Oxygen Centre encouraged them to give Wayne a few sessions in the hyperbaric chamber, even though the cost was considerable.

All the while Westlake Boys High School had been asking after Wayne, and seeking ways to help if at all possible. On learning about the proposed hyperbaric oxygen treatment and the costs, WBHS staff, students and their families, enthusiastically embarked on fundraising activities. During the next 12 months Westlake Boys held two fundraising drives to fund Wayne’s treatment, and another collection in Wayne’s name for the benefit of Canteen. Having heard of Wayne’s plight, Westlake Girls High School joined in and had their own fundraiser for him. The local media heard of the activities and a front page article was featured in the North Shore Times.

The family were able to book Wayne in for multiple hyperbaric chamber sessions. Within three weeks his cheerful, fun loving personality began to return. Hospital MRI scans confirmed that the fungal infection in his brain was shrinking.

Wayne was so thankful to his school for its support. By October 2004 he was well enough to attend a full school assembly, addressing all the students and staff, expressing his tremendous gratitude for their generosity. On 29 November at the school prizegiving, Headmaster Jim Dale presented Wayne with a special trophy featuring the School crest and the motto, VIRTUTE  EXPERIAMUR, meaning 'Let Courage be Thy Test'.

Unfortunately, the leukaemia was still lurking. The short time that Wayne had been on chemotherapy had put him into remission, but without having had the full course he was at risk of the leukaemia returning.

2005 dawned full of hope for Wayne. His final 7th form year. The fungal infection had gone and he hoped to start afresh at school. However, just before the school year began, Wayne got the awful news that the leukaemia had returned.

Despite the best care available over the following months, the cancer could not be beaten. On 18 November 2005 Wayne finally succumbed to the disease. Westlake Boys High School farewelled Wayne with a guard of honour at his funeral as the coffin was carried from the Church.

The School created the Wayne Reynolds Memorial Cup, to be awarded each year to a student who has ‘overcome obstacles and difficulties’. The Reynolds family provided funds for a scholarship to accompany the Cup. The first award of the Cup and Scholarship was made at the school’s prizegiving on 5 December 2005.

On the first anniversary of his death, family, friends and school staff gathered at the school’s front entrance to plant a kauri tree and bury Wayne’s ashes alongside. This plaque provides a permanent reminder of a very special season in the life of the Westlake community.