Official Opening of Saint Kentigern Preschool

The Saint Kentigern Trust Board celebrated the official opening of its brand-new Preschool on the Shore Road campus on 30 March, in the Preschool’s twelfth year of operation.

Officially opened by the Governor-General of New Zealand The Right Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, the ceremony was attended by special guests including the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand The Right Rev Hamish Galloway, past and present Saint Kentigern Trust Board members, senior leaders, and Preschool staff and children.

While the children moved into their new building at the start of the year, 30 March was marked for the official opening and the Preschool’s Foundation Day, to be celebrated annually.

As is tradition at special occasions, the distinct Celtic sound of the Saint Kentigern Pipes and Drums greeted guests as they made their way into the new building. Upon the arrival of Dame Cindy Kiro, representatives of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei delivered a pōwhiri to mark the start of the celebration.

In welcoming guests to the Preschool’s new home on the Shore Road campus, then Principal Mrs Nikki Joyce shared that the new Preschool was designed to enable children to explore and learn in a way that honours the Saint Kentigern heritage and values as well as their individuality.

Mrs Joyce said, “As a Presbyterian school, we are pleased to have incorporated elements of our faith with each of these icons as symbols of our commitment to serving others and living our lives with integrity and love. The circularshaped building, for example, was inspired by early Christian architecture and also symbolises one of the four miracles of Saint Kentigern: the ring found in the fish, as well as the Celtic cross. Another significant aspect of the new building is its connection with nature. Spending time in nature is essential for wellbeing, and we have created a haven with ample greenery, sand beds, dry streams and more around our Preschool to encourage play, engagement and exploration”.

Following Mrs Joyce’s speech, the Preschool students took the stage, performing the iconic ‘Pōhutukawa Tree’ song.

To celebrate the occasion, guests and students were led by the Deputy Chaplain to Saint Kentigern Schools Mr Isaac Williams in singing ‘Rā Whānau ki a Koe’ (‘Happy Birthday To You’), followed by the cutting of the cake by Preschool student Olivia Worsley and College student Chloe McGregor who started her Saint Kentigern education at the Preschool.

An increasing number of students are taking advantage of the full Saint Kentigern education journey from three to eighteen years old across our four schools: Preschool, Boys’ School, Girls’ School, and College.