Year 8 Service Trip to Tāneatua

“Iwasfortunate enough to go on the first Tāneatua service trip – the best one! It’s the best school trip I’ve been on,” says Sophie Henderson, reflecting on an unforgettable experience.

Over four days, sixteen student-parent pairs and teachers embraced physical labour, digging, weeding, pushing wheelbarrows up muddy hills, and building at Tāneatua School. Afternoons provided a reprise from the work with surfing, wharf-jumping, and thrilling waterslides, creating treasured memories.

Yet, the true essence of the trip lay in the transformative power of giving. Witnessing the Tāneatua student’s delight upon seeing the fruits of their collective labour – the new playground they had installed over the course of the trip –was a priceless reward.

The girls returned home with a profound sense of gratitude. The service trip awakened empathy and reinforced the power of collective action.

Sophie’s message to future Year 8 students is clear: embrace the opportunity to participate in a service trip. By extending a helping hand and witnessing the impact they can make, students cultivate gratitude, empathy, and a profound understanding of the world beyond their own.

The Tāneatua service trip embodies the spirit of Saint Kentigern – service, compassion, and fostering connections beyond the school gates. Through their dedication, hard work, and genuine care, the students of Saint Kentigern continue to uplift communities, leaving a lasting legacy of kindness and empowerment.

Wednesday also saw the debut of the Saint Kentigern Girls’ Lip Sync Battle. Teams of Year 5 and 6 students choreographed lip-syncing routines, showcasing their creativity and enthusiasm. A ‘Madagascar’-inspired parent performance set the bar high, and a memorable teacher performance closed out the night.

Thursday saw our exhausted Year 6 students departing camp, leaving our Year 5 cohort in charge with a day of activities ahead. The variety of offers stood out with a mix of activities highlighted by popular favourites such as archery and bush cooking.

The consistent positivity while away from home, full participation in all activities, and the drive to push out of their comfort zones made this camp incredibly special. Thank you to our wonderful parent helpers who gave time to support the girls, and to the knowledgeable YMCA staff.

Inspiring Change, Together

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

Embedded

within the Girls’ School experience is a foundational thread of service. Contributions, regardless of size, form an integral part of our impact on local and overseas communities. This year our girls have had numerous opportunities to exercise their compassion.

One of the major service opportunities in the calendar is ‘ Hāngi for the Homeless ’ in collaboration with Sunday Blessings and our Boys’ School. Every month, generous students with a supporting caregiver as well as staff and volunteers join forces to cook a hāngi meal to be distributed at the Ellen Melville Centre in Auckland City. Most recently, one Girls’ School parent has stepped forward to help with the supply of chicken and vegetables.

In our weekly rhythm, the girls generously donate food items and non-perishables as part of Thursday Chapel. These items are bagged and sent at two separate times each term to May Road School in Mount Roskill. In 2020, our students teamed up with their families to build and decorate a Pātaka Kai at May Road, enabling their school community to access food whenever they need it. With our Girls’ School’s generous donations, the Pātaka Kai is regularly filled and those in need are receiving help. Moreover, throughout the year, select Year 8 students have the opportunity to work with students from May Road on various projects.

In a post-Easter gesture of gratitude, the Parents and Friends Association orchestrated a community-driven initiative, donating 160 packets of hot cross buns to the Glenn Innes and Mount Wellington Police services.

More recently, the girls have been completing their ‘ Extra Miler ’ challenges. Taking on either a physical challenge or an act of service, they receive sponsorship which goes to an organisation of their choice.

Soon, some of our Year 8s will be heading off to Vanuatu on a service trip to install a playground at a local school. Again, this requires a guardian to join, and so we thank families who have volunteered time for the mission. We are also incredibly grateful for all the clothes, shoes, and sports equipment contributed for the recent drive.

The vision of service at Saint Kentigern Girls’ School relies on the unwavering support of our community. Your generous contributions make the hāngi meals, comforting provisions, and life-changing service trips possible. Our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation goes out to our remarkable community.