was delighted to attend an alumni event in Auckland recently that was an opportunity to continue sharing the Trust Board’s strategy for the acquisition of the Wilson Bay Farm on the Coromandel, which was highlighted in the last edition of Piper. The event also showcased the talents of two of our alumni, Liam Sceats and Jake Bartrom: Liam for his spirit and tenacity in pursuing his dreams in motor racing on the biggest stages across the world, and Jake for his deep connection to the ocean, and the way he has scaled up mussel farming in the waters of the Firth of Thames, only a short distance from our new third campus.
This event followed my attendance of a performance of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ the previous night, featuring another alumnus, Theo David. Theo, Liam and Jake all share a connection to Saint Kentigern, and each has acknowledged, in recent interviews, the formative impact their time at Saint Kentigern
had on shaping their lives. The alumni event also reinforced the sense of community. The response to the acquisition of Wilson Bay Farm has been overwhelmingly positive, with many alumni offering tangible support across a range of specialist fields. We are grateful and humbled by this generosity. Thank you. Further updates will be shared as the project develops.
On another important front, progress continues at pace on the Pakuranga Campus with a clear and magnificent structure now starting to take shape. A few pages on in this edition of Piper, you will find further updates as this exciting project comes to life. The Trust Board is also advancing the planning for future building developments that will closely follow. We look forward to sharing more in the coming months.
Now that we have secured our third campus and commenced the first major project of the Pakuranga Campus Masterplan redevelopment, the Trust Board is refreshing its longer-term strategic plan. This includes reaffirming strategic priorities and other aspirations and considering how they align to take Saint Kentigern forward. As the future of education continues to evolve, the role of independent, faith-based education
will also come under scrutiny. The Trust Board will ensure that our refreshed and enduring strategy continues to respect our past, celebrate our present, and remain focused on the future.
We saw some positive movement this year from the government regarding financial support for independent schools. While modest, it marks the first positive change in several decades and hopefully reflects a growing recognition of the relevance and importance of independent schooling in New Zealand. Saint Kentigern will remain at the forefront of this conversation, whether on our own or through our involvement with various member groups such as Independent Schools New Zealand and the Presbyterian Schools network. While this is a step forward, we are keenly aware of the recently announced changes to NCEA. As these developments progress, we will continue to lead with thought and care, ensuring we remain well-prepared and uphold our commitment to deliver educational excellence for our community of young people across our schools.
Change will continue to test us; community will continue to be our strength.
Fides Servanda Est.
Alumni Theo David with our College drama students ahead of Romeo and Juliet debut.
New Horizons
WDr Kevin Morris EdD (Boston) Executive Trustee
e’ve all had a few weeks to dwell on the NCEA announcement and the ideas which will sit behind the country’s future qualifications. If the plans proceed, it will be a decade of systemic change in terms of the design and implementation to stabilise the system. When previous governments attempted to make major revisions the past few years, the efforts were botched and delayed. The recent decision to rebuild rather than renovate could have possibly been less drastic, but this is the risk when a qualification hasn’t been refined incrementally over a 20-year period.
No matter how much you may believe in NCEA’s underlying philosophies, it was left open to criticism about how it could operate consistently at a national scale. I worked in the New Zealand tertiary sector for the first 18 years of the NCEA’s implementation, and it didn’t take long before we began to see cohorts of incoming school leavers (whom through no fault of
their own) were arriving at university with vastly different capabilities and experiences. It became very difficult for university lecturers to cater to all students, and ultimately everything had to be calibrated to a common standard. While this model provided access and pathways for many students, it also had unintended consequences on credibility, reliability and the perception of quality.
National assessment systems also matter not just because they measure learning, but because they tell a story about who we are, our aspirations and what we value. In this sense, everything that is assessed helps to shape not only schools, but the nation itself. Now we have the opportunity to redefine the attributes that reflect our goals as a country.
Understandably, our parents will have questions about Saint Kentigern’s position on how we’re planning to handle the situation. Like other schools which have run dual qualifications (in our case NCEA and IB for the past 15 years), we have had a global benchmark and comparator for a long time. IB may be a very different qualification, but ensuring we prepare all students for
multiple pathways has become a huge advantage in the way we operate and the capability in our College. Aside from offering student choice, having an alternative qualification has built our teaching expertise and the ways we can deliver NCEA. An example of this is that we have continued with a modified version of NCEA Level 1 qualification in recent years, but also ensured our students had a wide array of subject choices and pathways for their senior years.
I think the key point is that we should maintain the confidence that we have the strength to adapt quickly and excel with whatever lies ahead. We continue to shape a strong sense of our own educational identity---and we are fortunate to have the resources, independence and expertise to decide on our own direction. The work we have done on our Statement of Intent (see OLE) in recent years has reinforced a deeper sense of what is at the core of our approach and what supports the academic standards you would expect. Hopefully the national system is in line for some very positive change in the years ahead.
Fides Servanda Est.
What ‘Gives You Wings’?
IRev. Reuben Hardie
M.Rel. (Hons),
B.Theol., B.Com., Dip. Min, PG Dip. Tchg Head of Chaplaincy
went to a concert recently. The main act, the reason we were all there, was scheduled to come on very late, well past my usual bedtime. I’m an ‘early to bed, early to rise’ kind of guy. When it gets too late, my family jokes that I turn into a pumpkin. So, when the clock struck 11pm and there was still no sign of the headliner, I knew I was in trouble. Faced with the choice to either give up and head home or find a way to stay awake, I made a decision that I’m not particularly proud of – I had my very first can of Red Bull.
Red Bull is an energy drink that contains 80 milligrams of caffeine and seven teaspoons of sugar. Beyond the drink itself, Red Bull has built a clever marketing campaign around its slogan: ‘Red Bull gives you wings’. It’s a catchy phrase that suggests the promise of pushing physical limits and freedom; and what a compelling promise it appears to be. Freedom is a fundamental human desire; we all crave it, especially during our youth.
Freedom allows us to make our own choices, even mistakes. It is an essential part of how we learn, grow, and become independent. When we’re free to explore our interests, to follow our heart, we begin to understand who we are. Being trusted to make our own decisions helps build confidence and self-reliance. But there are some important truths about freedom you won’t find printed on a can of Red Bull.
Firstly, there is a difference between two kinds of freedom: negative freedom and positive freedom. Negative freedom means being free from restrictions, controls, or interference. It’s about removing barriers and limitations. Positive freedom, on the other hand, means having the capacity and opportunity to do something meaningful or worthwhile, it’s freedom for growth and fulfilment. The kind of freedom that dominates your thinking will have a profound impact on your life.
Jesus understood this deeply. He showed that true freedom isn’t just about escaping rules or limits. When it came to the unjust rules of his day, he was a radical limit breaker, however, it is also clear that he seemed much more interested in a life lived with freedom for something meaningful, rather than a life lived purely with freedom from restriction, which is why his invitation to a new way of life still
resonates to this day.
Second, there’s a problem with being completely free from influence and relying solely on yourself. Complete self-reliance sounds appealing – “I don’t need anyone else,” but the reality is, life is tough. Everyone reaches their limits sooner or later, whether through anxiety, exhaustion, or loneliness. Our strength runs out, and that is when having people around you, and a strong faith, comes into its own.
One of my favourite verses is Isaiah 40:31: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles”. This verse speaks of real wings, real freedom – not the temporary lift of caffeine, but lasting strength, rooted in something and someone greater than ourselves. When we place our trust in God, we discover a grace and a joy that runs deep: our strength multiplies, and our hope becomes unshakable.
So back to my story: did I manage to stay awake for the headliner? Yes! Will I be having a can of Red Bull again soon? Definitely not. Some freedoms just aren’t worth losing sleep over.
Fides Servanda Est.
Together, Let’s Shape What Comes Next
AWalter Chieng BSc, GradDipOR Director of the Foundation
t Saint Kentigern, we continue to be inspired by the enduring sense of connection that binds our community — past, present, and future. The warmth and enthusiasm shown by our families, alumni, sponsors, and friends at recent events and initiatives has been both energising and deeply affirming.
Across every chapter of our journey, it has been our early benefactors, donors, and commercial partners who helped make possible the opportunities enjoyed by our students today. Their belief in the value of education — in the potential of each child — is the foundation on which we continue to build.
The response to the Wilson Bay Farm campus has been overwhelming, with great enthusiasm and financial support pledged to secure its future. A number of alumni have already shown their support, with many visiting the 1,000-acre coastal property on the Coromandel Peninsula, all excited about the learning and development
opportunities it offers our students. They are equally thrilled about the chance to contribute to a place where education comes alive, fostering practical skills, innovative thinking, and a deep respect for the environment through hands-on experiences.
We look forward to welcoming more alumni to join those who have already pledged their support, as this initiative continues to gain momentum. The experiential learning and student leadership development have emerged as the aspects our supporters are most excited about, with our College students recently participating at the NZ Fieldays to experience the scale and scope of primary industries and innovation. This strategic addition to the Saint Kentigern learning journey reinforces our commitment to shaping well-rounded forward looking and thinking individuals and equipping young people to engage with the economic drivers central to New Zealand’s future.
We are proud to share stories in this issue of Piper that reflect that spirit — including highlights from our Partners in Education evening hosted by longtime supporters Winger Motors, and the Saint Kentigern Alumni Staff Scholarship Fund, made possible through the generosity of our inaugural
Distinguished Alumni awardees.
Whether attending our networking events, advocating for our mission, or contributing to scholarships and new initiatives, your support is a reminder of what sets Saint Kentigern apart — it is a community shaped by shared values and made possible through generous contributions.
As we look ahead, we invite all those who believe in the future of Saint Kentigern to get — or stay — involved. Whether through advocacy, philanthropy, or partnership, you have the opportunity to help write the next chapter of Saint Kentigern’s aspirations.
Together, let’s pave the way for a thriving future for our students at Saint Kentigern.
The Saint Kentigern Alumni Staff Scholarship Fund
This fund was established by the four inaugural 2022 Distinguished Alumni Awardees and their families, to support the professional development of Saint Kentigern teachers and other staff.
Seed funding was provided by the awardees with the aim of progressively increasing the endowment by encouraging further contributions from our alumni and the wider Saint Kentigern community. We see the Scholarship Fund as offering a practical way for alumni and other supporters to contribute to, and strengthen, Saint Kentigern. It is anticipated that awards will be made annually when the fund reaches a sustainable level, with applications assessed by a committee that includes alumni representatives.
The setting up of the fund embodies the Saint Kentigern core values of integrity, excellence, respect, compassion, and service, and acknowledges the important role of teachers and other staff. It will provide grants for professional development, such as attending specialist courses or visiting teaching units with particular expertise, with flexibility in the possible educational experiences to be supported. We expect that these opportunities will enhance staff skills and knowledge and thereby enrich the educational experience for our students. Thank you to the 2022 Alumni Awardees for their generosity and commitment to the Saint Kentigern community.
Inaugural Awardees: John Beckett (1962 PY), Philip Recordon (1965 PY), Sir Noel Robinson (1961 PY), and Dr Ernest Willoughby (1963 PY).
Partners in Education
The Saint Kentigern Business Networking Evening, held on Thursday 29 May and hosted by longstanding commercial partner Winger Motors, brought together a select group of business partners, sponsors, alumni, and senior leaders for an evening of connection and shared purpose.
The 13-year partnership between Saint Kentigern and Winger Motors is grounded in shared values and a genuine commitment to student success. Whether it’s providing support vehicles, facilitating work experience, or championing initiatives like the Performing Arts, Winger’s ongoing support helps create lasting educational impact.
Their outstanding delivery, from the venue and hosting to the calibre of speakers and guests, set a new benchmark for Saint Kentigern’s business networking events, offering business partners a valuable opportunity to build relationships and explore new opportunities.
Guests were welcomed with valet parking and a tour of Winger’s new Penrose facilities, reflecting a commitment to top-tier service and professionalism. The standard of the evening was further reflected in its excellent speakers, with international broadcaster and Winger Ambassador Steven McIvor guiding the evening as Master of Ceremonies, and leading Economist Cameron Bagrie delivering a sharp, straight-talking keynote that prompted timely reflection among the business leaders and supporters in attendance.
Saint Kentigern extends its sincere thanks to Winger Motors for hosting an evening that so clearly reflected the strength of our partnerships and the potential of our collective future.
Adding a personal touch to the evening, Winger Motors CEO Andy Sinclair delivered his speech in a Saint Kentigern scarf.
At a Glance
KEEP UP TO DATE WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING AT SAINT KENTIGERN
Curriculum Change in Focus
This issue highlights significant national developments in education, with Executive Trustee Dr Kevin Morris addressing the future of NCEA and New Zealand’s qualification landscape (see page 4). These insights offer a timely commentary on a system in flux, and the opportunities ahead.
An Evening of Fellowship and Celebration
The biennial Alumni Dinner brought generations of past students together at the Northern Club for an evening of connection, conversation, and shared vision. As the first major gathering since the Wilson Bay Farm announcement, the evening centred around this development, including a fireside interview between alumni Jake Bartrom and Andrew Alderson. Read more on page 82.
A Creative Journey Down the Yellow Brick Road
The Girls’ School is in full production mode for this year’s whole-school show, ‘The Wizard of Oz’. With every student from Years 0 to 8 involved, the production will be the culmination of hours of practice, a talented cast, and a little bit of well-placed magic. Rehearsals are well underway, and tickets are now on sale. Read more on page 33.
The Bridge Between Preschool and Primary
Only a term into its establishment, our Preschool foundation room learners are enjoying the consistency and benefit of the Preschool environment with more structured learning. They dove head-first into an exciting inquiry around life cycles last term, with the pinnacle being the hatching of their very own classroom chicks. Read more on page 21.
Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders
This year’s Boys’ School Leadership Symposium brought together Year 8 students from across Auckland for a day to be inspired in their leadership. Guest speakers, real-time problem-solving, and reflection, allowed students to explore what kind of leader they hope to be. Read more on page 41.
Eight Medals at KBB Music Festival
Our College musicians excelled at the KBB Music Festival, earning a quartet of Gold Awards for Symphony Orchestra, Big Band, Concert Band and Chamber Orchestra. Special honours went to Best Baroque (Chamber Orchestra), Best Original Work (Concert Band), Best Soloist (Amy Chen, Symphony Orchestra) and Best Improvisation (Big Band). Servanda Strings secured Silver, while MacFarlan Strings, Jazz Orchestra and Symphonic Band achieved Bronze. More highlights will be shared in our December edition.
In the Eye of the Hurricane
CREATING CALM, CLARITY, AND COLLECTIVE IMPACT THROUGH PEDAGOGICAL COACHING
ASteve Martin BSc (Hons), PGCE, MA Ed College Head of Biology
s teachers, we often stand in the middle of a hurricane: teaching, marking, providing continuous feedback, mediating peer relationships, organising co-curricular activities, attending meetings, and using break times to support students academically. Finding space to reflect and grow can feel impossible. In 2024, the college committed to a pedagogical coaching programme designed to offer just that – a purposeful pause. A calm, structured space where a coach and a teacher
can step back, together, survey the situation, and identify one clear, actionable goal for development.
That’s why I put my hand up to become a coach. I believe that meaningful professional growth happens not through one-off workshops, but through real conversations grounded in the classroom – working alongside colleagues, in the thick of the day-today teaching. This idea, championed by educational leader Dylan Wiliam (2011), affirms my belief that the best development is embedded, ongoing, and collaborative.
It’s about growing together, through continuous improvement, practical reflection, and meaningful conversations. Coaching isn’t about ‘fixing’, it’s about pursuing excellence
together through relevant and encouraging dialogue.
In professional development, it’s easy to become preoccupied with frameworks, rubrics and data dashboards. These tools provide valuable scaffolding, but they are not the foundation. That’s why our training began with the coach’s ‘way of being.’ Humility and curiosity come first because they open the door to each teacher’s unique perspective and context. While it appears simple, the complexity becomes clear when striving to effectively balance support and accountability. For me, keeping that relational foundation intact is non-negotiable in coaching.
Building on that foundation is the POWER Coaching Cycle, developed by McLachlan (2022), a five-phase
COACHING
process that guides each coaching partnership. It provides a structured collaborative pathway for teachers and coaches to identify and achieve goals that meaningfully enhance student learning.
The five phases are:
• Pinpoint: The teacher begins by reflecting on their practice to identify a specific area for professional growth.
• Observe: The coach observes a lesson, collecting objective data aligned with the identified focus area.
• Workout: Teacher and coach analyse the observation data together, refining the goal to ensure it is both meaningful and student-centred.
• Evolve: They then co-design specific strategies and identify resources to support progress towards the goal.
• Reflect: Finally, they review progress, celebrate successes, and plan next steps for continued growth.
The cycle is simple to name but powerful in practice. Every step is anchored in real student work and focussed on achieving measurable impact.
After more than three decades in the classroom, I thought I understood how to help colleagues improve. But becoming a coach has humbled me. The extensive training has reshaped my understanding of how teachers grow best. They do not need answers handed to them. They need the right questions; ones that unlock ownership and lead to sustainable change. In a constantly
evolving world, it’s more important than ever to recognise that teacher learning is a continuous process, one that grows and adapts alongside the needs of our students and the challenges we face.
Our cohort of seven pedagogical coaches meets weekly with our trainer Glenn McLachlan (Lead Coach Trainer and Director of the Professional Learning Institute), to review video recordings of our own coaching sessions. The camera serves as an impartial witness, helping us dissect key moments and uncover subtleties that might otherwise go unnoticed. This process has been transformative, providing objective and actionable feedback. As coaches, fostering growth in others requires that we hold a critical lens to our own practice, and the video reflection has proven to be a powerful tool on the path to mastery.
Serving as a pedagogical coach has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It has given me a unique perspective on the dedication and passion of my colleagues. In our coaching conversations, we delve into real classroom scenarios, discussing everything from innovative teaching strategies to effective ways of engaging every student. This isn't theoretical learning; it is grounded in practice. Together, we apply new ideas directly in the classroom, reflect on the outcomes, and refine our approaches. At the core, this connects to the reason I wanted to be a pedagogical coach: to improve outcomes for students through the implementation of high-impact strategies.
The ripple effect is already visible; one colleague has developed studentdriven feedback loops that give students greater agency; another has introduced audience protocols that make public speaking a supportive rather than stressful experience; others are embedding collaborative thinking routines to deepen discussion. Multiply those gains by the dozens of teachers each coach supports, and the impact reaches hundreds of students. We began with the image of teachers caught in a hurricane. Coaching does not disperse the storm, it builds the eye. A calm, intentional centre where teachers can pause, reflect, and act with purpose. From that centre, clarity spreads, practice sharpens, student learning accelerates, and a culture of shared growth takes root. In essence, coaching creates the calm from which innovation and creativity can emerge.
Every educator hopes to see a positive shift in students learning outcomes. Coaching offers more than a structure or space; it nurtures a culture of shared curiosity, innovative teaching, and collaborative problem-solving. With this kind of support, educators are empowered to refine their skills, navigate challenges more effectively, and enhance their impact on student success.
The World’s Largest Gathering Space
CJohn Parsons BIT
Cyber Safety and Risk Assessment Consultant,
Citizen21
ommunication is the lifeblood of any functioning society: people are driven to share ideas, gossip, laugh together, debate, argue, and learn.
Is it any wonder that people flock to the internet? It is the largest gathering space ever created, and we love it. It allows for extraordinary diversity of communication and fuels our drive to explore, express ourselves, and learn about the world and universe.
Social media, online gaming platforms, and interactive applications provide children with opportunities to engage with the world.
Today, the final barrier that once bound most of us to one place has been eliminated by computers and the internet. Our children navigate cyberspace effortlessly, moving from one virtual location to another at no cost. They communicate with people
they will never meet in person from different cultures, exchanging ideas, debating, and learning all from their mobile screens.
Your children are this generation’s explorers, ‘cybernauts,’ who travel through cyberspace in their millions every day.
Digital communication technology (DCT) is an extraordinary tool. The powerful light it shines on the world allows us to experience far more than we once could, both good and bad.
The darker side of the internet is very real. The news is full of reports on cybercrime targeting senior citizens, sexual predators preying on children, cyberbullying, and increasingly sophisticated online scams. It’s no surprise that many parents dread the day their 11-year-old asks, “can I have a smartphone? All my friends have one.”
Regardless of our views, the desire to communicate, especially with their peers, is powerful. In the face of this, our goal should be to empower our children to navigate the online world safely, ethically, and at the right age. And above all, to be a parent, not a friend.
WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE IN REAL TERMS?
1. Delay the use of social media as long as possible – ideally until 16. Your child’s early years should be shaped primarily by your culture, community, and family values.
2. Keep all ICT (Information and Communication Technology) out of the bedroom until at least 14 years of age.
The bedroom should be a place for rest and recovery, not a portal for entertainment or interaction with strangers – often at night, when parents are sleeping.
3. Ensure your child plays ageappropriate games
Many primary school children I meet, as young as seven, have already been exposed to R18-rated violent and sexualized games.
4. Avoid giving primary age children smartwatches.
Constant digital interaction throughout the school day can hinder a child’s ability to focus in the classroom.
5. Bedrooms, bathrooms, and pyjamas should not be in photos online. Online predators are more likely to target children who appear vulnerable. By sharing images in private spaces, using sexualized language, or posting videos from bedrooms, children can appear particularly vulnerable targets.
6. Teach your children to trust their intuition.
If something, or someone, online or offline makes them feel uncomfortable, they should never ignore that feeling, and tell an adult they trust.
7. Ensure they have trusted adults they can turn to.
Many victims I’ve worked with hesitated to tell their parents due to shame or embarrassment. Help your child identify trusted adults, other than you, that they can confide in if needed.
8. Make family meals a priority.
Families that eat together, share and heal together. Regular meals at the table
strengthen family bonds and provide a support system to help children navigate challenges.
9. Use parental control software Apply it across all computers and phones your children use.
10. Reassure them that mistakes are part of learning.
Let them know that no matter what happens, you will support them. For younger children, emphasize that they don’t "make mistakes," they learn to make better choices.
NURTURING, PROTECTING, AND LOVING
Be involved in the online games your children play. ‘Follow’ or ‘friend’ them on social media platforms and ensure you have access to their account passwords. Regularly review the text messages they send and receive. Include yourself in their profile pictures, and encourage them to lock their accounts and keep them private.
Teach your children that their ‘friends’ online are not truly friends unless they have met them face-to-face first. A common attack vector for online criminals is through friends of friends.
Establish regular sleep patterns for your children, as good sleep promotes learning and overall health. Daily physical activity, combined with playing with friends, greatly benefits social connections, learning, and well-being. Additionally, reading books builds vocabulary, which in turn helps them become effective communicators.
And above all, be a parent – not a friend. Be confident, and protect and provide what your child requires to grow and flourish. Don't let how other parents raise their child impact your role in your child's life.
Be confident, loving, and provide clear boundaries. And very importantly, lots of hugs and laughter.
Service Roundup
AN OVERVIEW OF SERVICE INITATIVES AT SAINT KENTIGERN
College Impact in Vanuatu
In July, thirty-two Year 12 and 13 students along with staff travelled to Vanuatu to serve the local community. Based at Popowoh School and Onesua College, they helped complete a kindergarten building begun by younger Saint Kentigern students earlier in the year. The group also repaired playgrounds, built a volleyball court, marked football fields, sorted donated books, and ran a clothing drive.
Their days were long and challenging, but the students embraced the chance to step out of their comfort zones and immerse themselves in the local culture. Their trip concluded at YWAM Camp in Onesua, where they learned traditional weaving and cooking, explored the islands, and built lasting connections.
Reflecting on his experience, Kenny Yang (Year 13) shared, “I thought I went on this trip to serve. But in the end, I was the one who received the most.” Jess Lin (Year 13) echoed the sentiment, saying, “This journey taught us more than we could have imagined: culture, resilience, gratitude, keeping the faith, and what it truly means to give. We came home with lighter luggage, but much fuller hearts.” Sharon Nie (Year 12) summed it up beautifully: “Service isn’t measured in painted walls or donated items, it’s in the bonds formed, laughter shared, and the hearts touched. It’s easy to think we’re the ones giving, but the truth is, we received far more in return.”
New Kindergarten Rises in Vanuatu
Over King’s Birthday weekend, two teams from the Boys’ School and Girls’ Schools travelled to Vanuatu to rebuild a kindergarten damaged in the 2024 earthquake. The teams laid foundations, completed the structure, added playgrounds and classroom equipment, and refurbished existing facilities, transforming the site in just a few days.
For many, the impact was clear. Max McCracken (Year 8 Boys’ School) said, “The most rewarding part was seeing the kindergarten near completion. After the earthquake last year, the local kids haven’t been able to attend. Now, they finally have a space to go back to school and start learning again.” Bruno Dickenson (Year 8 Boys’ School) added, “This trip was full of hard work and great memories. It made me realise how privileged I am to go to a school with so many amazing buildings and resources.”
Pakuranga Playground Finds New Home in Fiji
In the final week of the July holidays, a team of students and parents travelled to Fiji to carry out upgrades at Nawaka and Vatutu Kindergartens. They installed a new playground, paved walkways, repainted classrooms, and refurbished dining and community spaces, all in just five days. While the work was challenging in the tropical heat, the group found joy in connecting with the local children and seeing their excitement as the facilities took shape.
Molly Boyd (Year 8 Girls’ School) reflected, “Building the playground at Vatutu in the scorching hot sun was hard work, but the finished result was amazing. I hope everyone gets the privilege to go on a service trip one day.” Freddie Russell (Year 8 Boys’ School) agreed, saying, “This was an amazing experience to see a different lifestyle and help those in need. It’s a trip that I will remember forever.”
Extra Miler Success
This year’s Extra Miler initiative once again inspired students to go above and beyond for causes they care about. Students were challenged to choose a charity and design a physical or servicebased challenge that would truly push them to go the extra mile.
Their efforts raised an incredible $187,026.41, to develop projects with Island Child, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), our own Service Trips, and the College Food Shed.
At the Boys’ School, students contributed $123,763.93, with the highest participation coming from Cargill House (133 students). The Girls’ School raised $63,252.48, with Wishart House leading with 66 participants.
These funds will make a tangible difference, supporting local and international projects and giving students the opportunity to see the impact of their service in action.
Inaugural Gathering of Independent Educators
The first week of the June holidays saw the successful advent of the inaugural Teacher’s Symposium for independent schools. The symposium was organised by the Independent Schools of New Zealand Association and was held in the new Performing Arts Centre at Diocesan School for Girls. The symposium involved more than 50 teachers from more than 20 schools across both the North and South Islands. Over the course of two days, teachers collaborated in workshops, shared ideas, made professional connections and reinforced the level of innovation and excellence that makes an independent education so valuable. As the largest independent school in New Zealand, Saint Kentigern played a significant role in the teacher’s symposium with many teachers in attendance and several presenting, including Marianne Duston from the Girls’ School who participated in the principal’s panel.
Saint Kentigern was also integral to the establishment and success of the event. Boys’ School Principal and current Chair of ISNZ, Peter Cassie, has been a strong advocate within the Independent Schools network for greater professional development opportunities for teachers. He was pleased to see an initiative like this finally come to life. He reflected, “There’s real value in teachers sharing what’s happening in their own schools. It’s practical, it’s relevant, and it strengthens the profession. The best learning often comes from those doing the work alongside us.”
As an ardent believer in the effectiveness of collaboration and professional development between schools and teachers, Andrew Vicars, the Director of Digital Technologies at Saint Kentigern’s Shore Road Campus, was closely involved in the establishment and planning of this year’s symposium. When delivering the closing message at the symposium’s end, Andrew reflected on the fact that many of our independent
schools already have long-running connections through sporting and cultural exchanges, but until now, we haven’t had a forum for our teachers to make connections within their academic areas.
Beyond creating connections, Andrew hopes that the Teacher’s Symposium will generate a sense of collaborative competition between New Zealand’s independent schools; collaborative in that it provides a forum for teachers to share ideas and learn from one another; competitive in that it encourages teachers to return to their schools inspired, motivated and driven to raise the bar. He noted, “The real competition for independent schools in New Zealand is not with each other, but rather to continually prove that our schools can provide a level of excellence in education that cannot be found elsewhere.”
The 2026 symposium will be held in the South Island but Andrew is keen for Saint Kentigern to remain closely involved. He suggests that hosting the 2027 Teacher’s Symposium would be an ideal way to celebrate the completion of the new Senior School building on Pakuranga Campus.
The Birdhouse Building Dream Team
The Foundation Class of Preschoolers recently had the exciting opportunity to get their hands dirty, learn practical skills, and visit the College as part of a unique birdhouse building project.
Once the drawings were complete they were sent to the College, where specialist software was used to render the designs and prepare them for the CNC router machine to cut the wooden pieces. College Product Design students, who were specifically selected for their specialist skills, were then ready to support the Preschoolers with the building phase.
The Preschoolers travelled to the College for what we are calling the greatest collaboration of all time: each child watched their design come to life in wood, then teamed up with one or two College Product Design students to assemble their creation.
“I liked building the sides with the drill,” said Felix Yu, while Allie Liu shared that building “with the boys” was her favourite part. Under careful guidance, the children handled power tools, sanded edges, and fitted pieces together, their grins showing just how much fun they were having.
This project was both a creative building project, but also a chance for our youngest learners to connect with older students, see their ideas take shape, and develop confidence in trying new skills. Who knows? We may have a few future renovators in the making
Pakuranga Campus Building Development
YEAR 12 AND 13 BUILDING IN THE MAKING
Since our last update in June, progress on the new Year 12 and 13 building continues to advance in line with the construction programme. We are now nine months into construction and remain on track for construction completion by the end of November 2026. The building is being constructed in three phases, commencing with the West wing, continuing with the central curved section followed by the South facing (Chapel lawn) wing. Construction activities follow these phases, initially the structural steelwork framing, followed by the structural floors and then the sections are being shrink wrapped prior to timber framing and internal works commencing on each phase. By the end of September, the full footprint of the building will be clearly defined.
The image above was captured in August, showing the latest stage of progress. The QR code links to a short drone video filmed in June, which highlights the early steelwork and foundation stages.
We look forward to providing further updates as construction continues. For the latest update, please visit the OLE or contact us at masterplan@saintkentigern.com.
Three Schools in Harmony
This year has seen a growing number of musical opportunities uniting students from across our Saint Kentigern campuses. These cross-campus collaborations have become a hallmark of what it means to be ‘One Saint Kentigern’, offering students new ways to learn from one another, explore musical styles, and share performance experiences.
In Week 1 of Term 2, the College Sinfonia and Symphonic Band students joined with Year 7–8 players from the Boys’ and Girls’ Schools for a concert band collaboration in Elliot Hall. 60 students rehearsed intensively before performing for several College tutor classes. The programme included ‘Terracotta Warriors’, ‘Gates of Orion’, and ‘Wrath of the Mechanised Robots’, showcasing the ensemble’s technical skill and flair, helped along by Matt Baker’s homemade marching machine and a dramatic use of air-raid sirens and flexatone.
Later in the term, 120 string players from the three campuses gathered at Shore Road for the annual String Orchestra Exchange. The full ensemble rehearsed and performed pieces including ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End’, ‘Pizzicato Polka’, ‘Monster Mambo’, and the ‘Theme from Wallace and Gromit’, led by conductors Miranda Hutton and Georgina Jarvis, with support from Anji Toy and Nate Collings.
These musical exchanges not only develop performance skills but also strengthen bonds across our schools. For students of all ages, the chance to rehearse and perform in a large ensemble remains a unique and rewarding highlight of the Saint Kentigern experience.
Preschool
Upcoming Events
19 SEPTEMBER
PRESCHOOL PARENT EVENING
26 SEPTEMBER
GRANDPARENTS DAY EVENT
2-3 OCTOBER
TABLOID SPORTS
A Seamless Step into School Life
FOUNDATION CLASS COMBINES STRUCTURED LEARNING WITH THE JOY OF DISCOVERY
SMegan Storey
BEd (Tchg) Preschool Principal
tarting in Term 2, we launched our Foundation Class. This is a unique programme designed to bridge two educational worlds: the nurturing, playbased environment of early childhood and the more structured, curriculumdriven world of primary schooling.
The Foundation Class was thoughtfully designed and research-informed, blending the holistic philosophy of Te Whāriki, and the forward-focused expectations of the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC). This programme ensures that children move confidently and competently into the next stage of their learning journey.
Starting school is a significant step in a child’s life. One that brings both excitement and uncertainty. At our Preschool, we recognise the importance of preparing children not just academically, but socially, emotionally, and developmentally for this transition.
Understanding that the shift from playbased learning to a structured school environment can be significant, the Foundation Class introduces children to the routines, language, and learning dispositions they will encounter in a Year
0 or Year 1 classroom. All within the supportive and familiar preschool setting.
From 4 years old, children experience a more structured day than our typical preschool setting, including literacy and numeracy group sessions, independent work routines, and introduction to school-like timetables and expectations.
At the same time, inquiry-based learning, hands-on activities, and opportunities for child-led exploration remain central. This balance allows children to develop both the dispositions for learning (such as curiosity, perseverance, and collaboration) and the foundational academic skills that will set them up for success.
One of the most tangible links to the New Zealand Curriculum lies in the Foundation Class’s focus on structured literacy and numeracy. Aligned with Level 1 of the NZC, children engage in early phonological awareness, lettersound recognition, storytelling, number concepts, and problem-solving tasks. These experiences build the foundations for reading, writing, and mathematics in a developmentally appropriate way.
The New Zealand Curriculum identifies five key competencies that are essential for living and lifelong learning: thinking, using language, symbols, and texts, managing self, relating to others, participating and contributing. These are not taught in isolation but are embedded throughout the Foundation Class programme.
While literacy and numeracy are central, the Foundation Class also reflects the breadth of the curriculum by introducing children to concepts across several learning areas: the arts, physical education, tact, science and social science. Each area is explored through engaging, hands-on activities that reflect children's interests and cultural contexts, aligning with both Te Whāriki and NZC intent.
What sets the Foundation Class apart is its ability to offer continuity of learning. Rather than a sudden jump into a new environment, children experience a gradual and supported transition into the expectations of school. They leave the programme with a solid foundation in early literacy and numeracy, familiarity with classroom structure and routines, confidence in managing themselves and their learning, and a strong sense of identity and belonging.
Feedback from new entrant teachers consistently highlights Foundation Class graduates as confident, independent learners who settle quickly and engage positively with classroom life. This early proof of our programme’s success makes us confident they are prepared for a lifetime of learning.
Ultimately, the class has a greater purpose than just preparation. It is empowering and ensuring every child begins their school life with the tools, mindset, and confidence to thrive.
Fides Servanda Est.
Egg-citing Discoveries
Our Foundation children have been captivated by the fascinating world of living things, with a special focus on life cycles. With no truer way to bring learning to life than a living creature in the flesh, we welcomed a clutch of chicken eggs into our classroom. From then on, the class was a little nest of excitement and wonder.
With eager anticipation, the children watched and waited as the eggs sat warm and still. At last, the first cracks appeared. Along the way, the children learned about each stage of a chick’s journey, from the tiny ‘egg tooth’ that helps them break through their shell, to how they grow and feed inside the egg.
The question ‘What do you think the chicks will look like?’ brought forth an onslaught of creative ideas. Our young artists put pencils, bright colours, and feathers to work, creating their own fluffy predictions. The crafting opened
up rich conversations with budding scientific thinking as the children formed thoughtful guesses, or hypotheses, and used new vocabulary with curiosity about their furry friends.
When the chicks finally hatched, the classroom was buzzing. Each day, the children carefully observed and recorded the chicks’ growth, noticing changes in size, behaviour, and appearance. Watching the chicks explore outside their brooding box gave everyone a chance to connect to the animals personally. Our students embraced the gentle care required for animal development.
To celebrate this special journey, the children proudly shared their chick project at the Boys’ School Junior assembly, speaking with confidence and joy. This memorable adventure has sparked a new marvel of life, creativity, and a true love of learning about the living world around us.
SCAN FOR MORE
Matariki Moments
Matariki is a time to reflect, give thanks, and look ahead, and a few weeks after the public holiday, we embraced the spirit of the season with a week of special celebrations. Inspired by this year’s theme, ‘Matariki mā Puanga’, the focus was on coming together, embracing diversity, and honouring new beginnings.
Each day, a different classroom led an activity exploring aspects of Matariki. The Foundation Class planted bean seeds under the affirmation, “E tupu, e tupu, may it grow,” encouraging life and new beginnings. Loch Lomond welcomed the children into their space for a Hui, with a performance of ‘The Taniwha Song’, and to collaborate on a Korowai decorated with handmade feathers. Over in Loch Rannoch, children enjoyed decorating Matariki star biscuits.
Loch Ness then led a reflective session on ‘Hiwa-i-te-rangi’, the wishing star, where children made salt-dough stars and shared their own dreams for the future.
The week culminated in a Friday morning celebration where families were invited in for morning tea, hands-on crafts, and special performances of waiata from their little ones. Gathering together at the end, the children sang ‘Te Aroha’ and ‘Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi’ to a proud crowd of whānau.
The week’s celebrations gave our children a rich sense of connection to their whānau, their community, and the deeper meaning behind Matariki. It was the perfect midyear opportunity to dream bigger.
The Real Stars in Our Lives
For Mother’s Day this year, our Preschool welcomed mothers, grandmothers, and central mother figures for a morning of connection and celebration. Guests were invited to their child’s classroom for an array of creative activities, thoughtfully prepared by the children and their teachers.
Bracelet beading, nail painting, portrait drawing, and playdough creations kept our families abuzz with colour and conversation. Across each space, the joy of simply being together was evident, whether chatting over morning tea or enjoying play in the beautiful Preschool environment.
The Foundation classroom twinkled with a celestial theme, honouring the true stars of the day: mums. Children and their special guests posed in astronaut suits, decorated stars, and created constellations together. Special cards with heartfelt messages of love ‘to the moon and back’ made for a truly meaningful gift and a lovely end to the morning’s celebrations.
Morning tea featured the usual fresh fruit favourites, and cupcakes made a well-received appearance. As always, the morning offered a special glimpse into the relationships and routines that make life at the Preschool so rich.
A Fizzing Exploration of Volcanoes
Throughout Term 2, the children of Loch Rannoch have been immersed in an exciting exploration of volcanoes, sparked by curious questions about Rangitoto Island and the broader wonder: “What is a volcano?”
Their fascination quickly turned explosive, leading to a flurry of creativity through painting, pastel drawings, and clay work. As interest grew, we explored Auckland’s many active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes, using books, images, and digital tools. The children were especially intrigued by how different volcano types affect the land and people.
Visual arts became a key medium for expression, as the children imagined how eruptions might look and sound. Their ideas culminated in the construction of a Loch Rannoch volcano, built from cardboard, newspaper, and paper-mâché. Once dry, it was painted in earthy tones to resemble volcanic rock.
The highlight came when we brought the volcano to life with a fizzing science experiment using vinegar, baking soda, food colouring, and dish soap. The eruption was met with wideeyed delight.
What began with one question became a sensory, creative, and scientific adventure. Our Loch Rannoch children have proven that when curiosity leads, learning truly can erupt.
SCAN FOR MORE
Butterfly Creek Adventures
The journey to Butterfly Creek was an adventure in itself, with children excitedly pointing out cranes, buses and planes from the bus window. By the time the students stepped off the “super-fancy” coach, energy was high, and maps were out.
“Let’s find the dinosaurs first!” insisted Yanbo Ha. The gates of Dinosaur Kingdom obliged, with life-sized reptiles towering overhead. Evanka Li was just as taken with the mythical creatures: “I love the unicorn and mermaid,” she said, “because I love them!”
Inside the darkened kiwi house, there was quiet admiration. Nearby, fluffy tamarins, cheeky otters and chickens with “fabulous hairdos” caught the children’s eyes. Goldie the enormous crocodile was received with particular awe and caution. “I like the crocodile,” said Ava Gray, “because I like its teeth.”
In the butterfly house, wonder swept over the children as bright wings fluttered by. “I love butterflies,” said Myra Talreja, “because I love their wings.”
From Buttermilk Farm to the playground, and a double ride on the train, the day was packed with activity and delight. “I got on a tricky monkey bar all by myself,” beamed Māia Scott-Maxwell.
A huge thank you to all who made the trip possible; the joy on the children’s faces said it all.
Strolls on the Scenic Route
Our Preschool children have been adventuring across our Shore Road campus and beyond, embracing each opportunity to explore, ask questions, and connect with the world around them. Driven by natural curiosity and a desire to understand how things work, they’ve noticed who uses the different buildings and spaces at school, and observed new roles and routines followed by others on their recent local outings. What begins as a simple walk often becomes a springboard for discovery, dialogue, and play.
Walks around campus have offered plenty to wonder about: buildings (and the people who work in them), plaques, statues, have all sparked conversations, each one strengthening connections between our Preschool children familiar learning environment and the world beyond.
One such connection led Gemma Tan to begin documenting the people she met, confidently asking to take their photo and then proudly displaying her captures on the classroom wall. With growing confidence, the children have begun navigating in a group, listening carefully, and showing care for others. These are skills that will prepare the children for their next step: primary school.
Further afield, visits to the local garden shop and café have brought fresh excitement. Watching staff stock shelves or make coffee offered a glimpse into how communities function, and sparked a flurry of role play back at Preschool. Our classroom playtime has consequently featured shops and cafés, complete with menus, tills, and enthusiastic ‘customers.’
These experiences have fed into every area of our curriculum, encouraging language, cooperation, and social thinking. Most importantly, they’ve shown how effective learning can be when children are given the space to observe, wonder, and build on their discoveries through imaginative play.
SCAN FOR MORE
Girls’ School
Upcoming Events
Thriving Together
WMarianne
Duston
BPharm, GradDip Tchg, MSSL (Distinction) Girls’ School Principal
ellbeing and learning go together; they are inextricably linked.
When we foster wellbeing in our school, we establish the optimum culture for learning. Equally, when students engage in meaningful learning, they feel a sense of satisfaction, and their wellbeing is enhanced – it works both ways. Girls are more willing to exercise courage, curiosity, creativity, and a keenness to learn when they feel confident, accepted, and free to be themselves. This is something we encourage at the Girls’ School.
Wellbeing is a holistic concept which incorporates physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of our lives. When our wellbeing is optimised, we usually have a sense of fulfilment, purpose, and life balance, enabling us to function well and thrive.
Definitions of wellbeing have evolved over time: the initial
wellbeing movement was centred purely on the individual with a focus on ‘feeling good and functioning well’. However, there is now evidence to suggest that priority should be placed on collective wellbeing, rather than solely focusing on individual wellbeing.
Why this change in focus? Research shows that when we engage in prosocial behaviours, such as helping others, sharing our time, donating, and volunteering, we not only enhance the wellbeing of others, but we simultaneously feel good ourselves, enabling our own wellbeing to flourish. By adopting an ‘other person mindset’, our own wellbeing and that of others is enhanced.
Within our school, we adopt an ‘other person mindset’ when we volunteer our time to peel vegetables on a Friday afternoon, or prepare a monthly hāngi to share with members of the community in Auckland city. As a community, we show we care about others when parents and daughters come together to prepare ‘Food from the Heart’ for members of our community who are facing life’s challenges.
When we focus on being kind, showing care towards others, and demonstrating gratitude, we create a great environment for others, as well as ourselves, to thrive. ‘Thriving Together’ is the key to wellbeing.
This year we have introduced Wellbeing Time during Wednesday tutor times, with class activities centred around fostering belonging, courage, faith, gratitude, kindness, and resilience. We do this because we want to be proactive about cultivating the very best environment in our school for both learning and wellbeing.
This quote by Ryunosuke Satoro, a Japanese writer, encapsulates the beauty of ‘Thriving Together’:
Individually, we are one drop. Together we are an ocean. “ “
What a difference we can make when we work together to enable others to thrive.
Fides
Servanda Est.
Time Well Spent
In celebration of Mother’s Day, the Girl’s school hosted a ‘Mum and Me’ morning - a meaningful opportunity for students to spend time with their mums outside the usual rhythm of life.
Held in the Gym, the space offered a relaxed and creative setting for the pairs to make something together. Mums and daughters took part in pre-selected activities –ceramic painting, cupcake decorating, or dreamcatcher crafting – each designed to give space for connection and conversation. The cupcake table drew plenty of attention, with trays of toppings that seemed almost too good to eat.
A playful photo booth brought plenty of smiles, with mums and daughters accessorising their outfits and capturing light-hearted moments before turning their snapshots into keepsake keychains. Along one wall, hand-written messages from the girls hung on heart-shaped notes as a quiet reminder of the impact of small, shared moments.
It was a morning well spent. Full of activity, laughter, and time shared. Not just a moment in the school calendar, but one that brought families together in a meaningful way. Thank you to Girls’ School Parents and Friends for their efforts in continually creating spaces that allow our families to connect.
Learning At a Glance
AN OVERVIEW OF CLASSROOM LEARNING IN TERM 2
Metamorphosis in the Garden
During Junior School Spark time, a group of enthusiastic young gardeners have been getting their hands dirty in the best way. What began as a simple exploration of the vegetable garden quickly grew into a wider inquiry into planting, seasons, and the natural life cycle.
In Term 2, the group extended their focus to flowers, lettuce, and mint, learning how to plant and care for seeds across different times of year. Their efforts have now turned to a new project: renovating a weedy patch of garden into a dedicated butterfly garden.
The girls have rolled up their sleeves, cleared the space, and created a compost pile to observe decomposition in real time. They’ve enjoyed the process of preparing the site and are eager to research which native plants will help attract and sustain butterflies.
With the garden just outside their classroom window, the group is excited to keep learning, planting, and watching their efforts come to life. The humble beginnings of their butterfly garden has offered a chance to grow curiosity, and responsibility for the living world around them.
Decoding Stories on Screen
Last term, Year 7 explored how filmmakers use visual language to tell powerful stories. The unit began with a viewing of ‘New Boy’, a short film about belonging and kindness, which students analysed for its themes and cinematic techniques.
They then learned key film language terms such as ‘close-up’, ‘eye-level shot’, and ‘low angle’, using examples from the films ‘Shrek’ and ‘New Boy’ to practise identifying how camera shots and angles shape a viewer’s emotions. Students also developed their writing skills through the ‘IDEAR’ paragraph structure, strengthening their ability to respond analytically.
The study concluded with ‘Let’s Eat’, a wordless animated short film exploring a mother-daughter relationship. Through this, students reflected on how sound and movement can powerfully convey emotion without dialogue.
This film study encouraged critical thinking, creativity, and a deeper understanding of how storytelling transcends language barriers.
Leading with Lasting Impact
Our Year 8 girls have taken their leadership skills to the next level by working on their ‘leadership legacy’. Building on the skills developed in Year 7 through the Lean In Girls Programme, student teams have set meaningful goals to leave an impact on the school community.
Launching wellbeing suggestion boxes, lunchtime clubs, organising MasterChef-style challenges, creating new house chants, and running holiday art and writing competitions are just a few of the ideas to emerge from this legacy programme. The girls have shown creativity and commitment in their projects, and some teams even crafted role plays to present at Chapel, sharing messages of kindness, resilience, and unity.
These projects reflect our Year 8 leaders’ passion for making this school a place where every student feels seen, supported, and inspired.
Rodeo Disco Brings Sparkle and Stomp
There was no mistaking the theme at this year’s disco: cowgirl hats, boots, braids, and a thick layer of glitter all spread across JC Chalmers Hall for an evening of dancing and fun.
Held across two sessions for the Junior and Senior groups, the Rodeo Disco was packed with boot-scooting energy from start to finish. Each girl was given a House-coloured neckerchief on arrival, adding extra splashes of colour to the sea of pink, and infusing the night with House spirit. There may have been an impromptu dance-off between Houses, but who’s to say who won? Students seized the opportunity to whip out the line dances they had learnt in class and it was a joy to see them take to the floor together.
College IB students ran a face and hair decoration station to help the girls look and feel disco-ready, and photo booths captured the glam. Themed touches like the ‘Watering Hole’ drinks station and goodybags-to-go added whimsy to a night full of cowgirl fun.
Credit goes to our Girls’ School Parents and Friends committee who pulled the whole event together, including decorations, DJ bookings, snacks, and clean-up. Even our prefects came early to get the dance floor going with the younger girls. It was a glittering, toe-tapping evening students won’t forget any time soon. Yeehaw!
SCAN FOR MORE
Junior Poets Give Words Life
The youngest members of our school brought in a sell-out crowd to JC Chalmers Hall delivering rhyme, rhythm, and plenty of personality at this year’s Poetry Showcase. Parents packed the seats, the oldest Preschool room slipped in to watch, and the stage was commandeered by our Years 0–3 performers.
MC’s Charlotte Seymour and Rose McNae kept the programme moving as each class stepped up. Every poem created a moment. Whole-class recitals brought humour and comedic timing to entertain, while brave soloists shared their own work with true author’s passion. The youngest class’s ‘Quick, Quick, Take in Your Washing!’, complete with fluttering props, was a hit, not least because some readers had been at school barely ten weeks.
Year 3JS drew big laughs with ‘Laurie & Dorrie’; their recount spoke of crossed wires and crossed hearing, and showed just how far expression and pauses can carry a poem.
Across the board, the girls used gesture, comedy, and wellplaced silences to keep the audience leaning in. Head of Drama Judy Norton, together with Bianca Porter, have led a term-long focus on oral language, and classroom teachers polished each piece: the result was confidence well beyond the girls’ years.
For these budding poets, the showcase is the first rung on a ladder that leads to Middle and Senior School speech competitions. For everyone in the hall, it was a reminder of the sheer delight that comes when words leap off the page and into performance.
SCAN FOR MORE
The Spotlight Falls on Year 6
With the curtains drawn and the drama room reimagined as a black box theatre, Year 6 students rose from their seats to deliver a confident and entertaining Oral Performance Evening. It was a night with no shortage of personality, comedic timing, and creative storytelling.
Families and staff packed the space, no doubt enticed by the sneak previews they’d heard at home; what unfolded on stage was well worth the anticipation. The evening featured a selection of fractured fairy tales, devised scenes, and original works, many carrying thoughtful social messages. Themes of kindness and environmental care stood out, culminating in a closing piece that offered a poignant reminder of the values we seek to nurture in our young people.
The evening also formed part of each student’s Oral Assessment, which included reading aloud, spoken word, and roleplay. Yet the weight of assessment didn’t overshadow the joy of performance. The girls brought energy and empathy to their characters, revealing both dramatic growth and personal engagement with the material.
Behind the curtain, students worked together to problemsolve, encourage one another, and refine their ideas, developing confidence not just in their acting, but in their ability to express and collaborate. Head of Drama Judy Norton has nurtured a strong ‘give-it-a-go’ culture, which has seen nearly the entire cohort complete their Light Blue/ Kikorangi Oral Assessment.
That dramatic growth echoed into Term 3, when many of the same students took to the podium for their school speeches with the same creativity and courage. The skills honed through performance are clearly shaping confident communicators – on stage, and far beyond it.
SCAN FOR MORE
Follow the Yellow Brick Road… to our Production
There’s no place like Saint Kentigern when it comes to putting on a show. This year’s whole-school production is ‘The Wizard of Oz’, with every Year 0 to 8 student involved on stage or behind the scenes.
Our Year 7 and 8 lead cast have been rehearsing since Term 2, including over a weekend bootcamp packed with rehearsals, team building, and even a sleepover at school. Year 0 to 6 students have been learning ensemble dances in PE.
Audiences will join Dorothy and Toto on their journey from Kansas to Oz, meeting a clever Scarecrow, a kindhearted Tin Man, and a not-so-brave Lion along the way. Expect witches, monkeys, sassy trees, munchkin mayhem, and a reminder that what you seek is often within.
Behind the scenes, students are running costumes, makeup, props, sets, lighting, sound, and digital effects. They’re also designing the foyer, creating posters and
programmes, and preparing front-ofhouse hospitality.
Our production of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is a celebration of creativity, teamwork, and our school spirit. So grab your ruby slippers and scan the QR code below to purchase a ticket to this Oz-some adventure!
Science on (Road)Show
Science took over JC Chalmers Hall when the Science Roadshow returned to the Girls’ School for the first time since 2022. More than one hundred interactive exhibits transformed the space into a hive of discovery, with students testing ideas, solving problems, and seeing concepts spring to life.
The purpose of the visit was to create a rich, on-site EOTC (Education Outside the Classroom) experience, giving students the chance to step beyond the classroom and into an environment of focused exploration. Each exhibit invited students to experiment, problem-solve and engage their curiosity. The ever-popular softball speed challenge proved a hit once again, as students lined up to clock their throwing speed; reactions erupted as girls continued to nudge the high score up.
The live science shows unpacked scientific concepts with spectacle, humour, and clarity. Each year level attended two presentations tailored to their age group.
Our Science studies throughout the year benefit from tangible, hands-on experiences that show us what concepts look, sound, and feel like. While we carry out many experiments in class, nothing matches the impact of largescale exhibits: the thrill of lying on a bed of nails, standing on an arch bridge of blocks, modelling flood protection with waves, testing the forces that twist, bend, pull and push, or watching demonstrations that truly explode. These experiences reinforce learning and help revisit core concepts in unforgettable ways.
Middle School students quickly applied their ‘Fibres’ unit knowledge when viewing samples under the microscope. Year 8s shared their new understanding of elements and changes of state, while Year 7s consolidated their grasp of fair testing, energy types, and energy changes.
The Science Roadshow was a clear reminder that science often doesn’t happen behind a desk, rather, it lives in our hands, our questions, and the world around us.
Friends From Across the Ditch
A SPORTING EXCHANGE WITH SOMERVILLE HOUSE
Along-standing connection was rekindled at the end of Term 2 as we welcomed students and staff from Somerville House, Brisbane, for a sports exchange. The visit was initiated by Principal Dr Sandra Hastie, formerly the inaugural Principal of Saint Kentigern Girls’ School. Our guests received a warm Saint Kentigern welcome, including a moving Kapa Haka performance during our weekly chapel service.
The Year 7 and 8 students began their day welcoming our visitors into their classrooms, forming connections that would carry through the rest of the programme. Morning Sports clinics followed, with Somerville students joining our girls for a Football Clinic
delivered by Director of Sports Aimee Phillips, and a Netball Clinic led by Head of PE and Netball Courtney Rowson. The focus was on building skills, with mixed teams practicing agility, movement, and tactics in a fun, low-pressure environment.
After a shared lunch, the students returned to the field with our Year 7 cohort for an afternoon rotation of fast-paced invasion games, including dodgeball and gauntlet, concluding with a dynamic game of multisport. These sessions were designed to be inclusive and engaging, allowing all students to take part with confidence, regardless of their sporting experience. Right up until the bell, the girls enthusiastically competed for
their teams, with plenty of laughter amongst the drive to win.
While the Sports clinics focused on skill development, the primary aim of the exchange was connection, and this was achieved in full. Across the entire day, in both drills and downtime, a real sense of friendship was built with the Somerville girls. Our girls relished the opportunity to welcome their peers from across the Tasman and to share in something that transcended competition.
The visit closed with hugs, farewells, and the start of what we know will be an ongoing friendship between our two schools.
Sports Round Up
A CONCISE OVERVIEW OF SPORTING EVENTS AT OUR GIRLS' SCHOOL
Strong Performances in Winter Exchanges
In mid-June, our A and B Football teams and Netball squads travelled to Cambridge for the St Peter’s Exchange. Highlights included a 2–2 draw for the Girls’ A Football team and a 2–1 win for the B team, while all netball teams recorded convincing victories across their grades.We also travelled to Southwell College, Hamilton, for the Years 7 and 8 Winter Sports Exchange, competing in football and netball. Our netball teams faced strong opposition from Southwell’s higher teams, making for a challenging and rewarding day full of hospitality, grit, and new experiences.
Layla Tuala-Glassie Named in Two National Tournament Teams
Head Girl Layla Tuala-Glassie has excelled on the national stage in both netball and rugby league. In April, she represented Auckland Netball in the U13 Netball Nationals, helping her team remain unbeaten and earning a place in the Top 10 Players Tournament Team.
In rugby league, she was vice-captain of Kotahitanga at the Aotearoa NZ Māori U14 Girls Teina Tournament, again going unbeaten and securing selection for the Aotearoa NZ Māori U14 Tournament Team to compete at the Pacific Youth Cup. Layla’s leadership and talent continue to make an impact across both codes.
Sara Shimotomai Leads Auckland to Team Silver
Sara Shimotomai represented Auckland in the 12U Girls’ team at the XP National Junior Teams Event, held in Christchurch in April. Playing as Auckland’s number one seed, Sara helped her team finish with a silver medal against the other six regions. An impressive result in a highly competitive national field.
Orienteering Team Claims Auckland Bronze
For the first time, twelve students represented our school at the Auckland Orienteering Championships, producing a bronze place overall in the Year 7 category. Congratulations to Team 3 made up of Charlotte McGuinness, Annika Wells, Lara France, Gabby Croskery, and Jia Yi Mercy He for achieving this milestone result.
Swimming Interzones Breaststroke Bronze
The Auckland Interzone Swimming Championships were held at St Cuthbert's College Centennial Pool on 2 April. Phyllis Xia placed third overall in the Year 8 Girls’ 50m Breaststroke, with only milliseconds separating the medallists. This is an outstanding achievement and is evidence of Phyllis’s hard work in swimming this year.
Annika Wells Selected for NZ Sailing Development Team
After a consistent season of improving her skills, Annika Wells competed at the NZ International Optimist Dinghy Association National Championships and was selected for the Girls Development Team. She will represent New Zealand at Lake Macquarie, Australia in October.
Charlotte McGuinness Wins National Bronze
Our up-and-coming triathlete Charlotte McGuinness earned a bronze medal in the U12 Girls’ Aquathon at the New Zealand Schools’ Triathlon and Aquathon Championships in Wanaka.
Pure Grit at Cross Country
This year’s Cross Country event saw fierce competition from all four Houses, with each making their mark in different age groups. The Years 0 to 2 races were held at Martyn Wilson Fields, while the older year groups took on the challenging College course, battling its rolling hills and muddy patches.
Hamilton shone in the junior divisions, securing strong results across multiple year levels. Chalmers found their stride in the middle years, while Wishart’s more senior runners proved hard to beat. Cargill produced standout individual performances that kept the points table close right to the end.
The overall House Cross Country title will be announced at the end of the year, when results from all interhouse sporting events are combined.
YEAR 0
1st Ayla Comrie – Wishart
2nd Charlotte Lim – Cargill
3rd Tilly Gage-Brown – Chalmers
YEAR 1
1st Willow Swan – Hamilton
2nd Lena Luo – Chalmers
3rd Selena Li – Wishart
YEAR 2
1st Summer Rowe – Chalmers
2nd Eliza Campbell – Chalmers
3rd Isabelle Or – Cargill
YEAR 3
1st Rebecca Situ – Chalmers
2nd Abhiruvee Gunasekera –Chalmers
3rd Selene Xue – Cargill
YEAR 4
1st Lola Seton – Hamilton
2nd Victoria Kirwan – Chalmers
3rd Holly O’Connor – Wishart
YEAR 5
1st Olivia York – Wishart
2nd Elly Chiu – Wishart
3rd Alice Swan – Hamilton
YEAR 6
1st Charlotte Xu – Hamilton
2nd Evie Reynolds – Chalmers
3rd Emilie Gallaugher – Chalmers
YEAR 7
1st Christine Cooney – Wishart
2nd Willa Gilchrist – Wishart
3rd Mila Henison – Wishart
YEAR 8
1st Alyssa Dempsey – Cargill
2nd Olivia Moule – Wishart
3rd Bella Boyd – Cargill
Boys’ School
Upcoming Events
FIREWORKS EVENT
A Global Perspective on Education
IPeter Cassie TTC, BEd Boys’ School Principal
was fortunate enough to be granted a sabbatical during Term 2, and I’m sincerely grateful to the Trust Board for their support. This time away provided space to refresh, renew professionally, and engage deeply with a range of schools, culminating in the IBSC Conference in Boston. This experience reignited my passion for education, and gave me valuable global insight into the shared challenges and opportunities we face as educators.
Visiting schools across Singapore, Scotland, and England offered rich opportunities to connect with Heads and staff who generously shared their vision and practice. Despite the varied
contexts, from traditional settings to more progressive models, there was a consistent commitment to educating the whole child, balancing academic rigour with wellbeing, character, and community engagement. Evidencebased teaching, future-focused learning, and navigating the complexities of the digital world, especially social media, were clearly priorities everywhere.
A few key themes stood out strongly: First, the design and use of learning environments, both indoors and outdoors, makes a real difference.
Schools that intentionally crafted spaces to encourage collaboration, creativity, and calm showed how thoughtful environments support student engagement, wellbeing, and connection to learning. Whether through flexible indoor classrooms or purposeful outdoor spaces, these settings underpin a more holistic approach to education.
Second, leadership conversations centred on recruitment and retention, with many schools experimenting with innovative ways to support staff wellbeing and reduce turnover.
Third, technology, particularly AI, is being introduced carefully and deliberately, seen not just as a tool for efficiency, but as a powerful, transformative force that demands ethical reflection and strong teaching frameworks.
Equally important was the role of service learning and outdoor education in student development; schools embedding service as a core part of their culture reported meaningful gains in empathy, social responsibility, and global citizenship. Outdoor education, too, was widely valued for fostering resilience, teamwork, and self-discovery, learning that extends well beyond the classroom. I left these visits with a deep sense of pride in our own service programme. It’s clear we are leading globally in this
space, offering authentic service experiences that go far beyond token gestures. Many schools I met were genuinely interested in our approach, recognising its depth and how it binds our community together with shared purpose.
The IBSC Conference in Boston was a fitting and inspiring end to my sabbatical. Bringing together educators from around the world, it celebrated the vital work of shaping boys into men of character. The workshops, keynote speakers, and rich discussions reinforced the theme: ‘We Are Better Together’. Above all, I was reminded that while strategy and structure are vital, relationships remain the foundation of effective teaching and leadership.
NEXT STEPS INCLUDE:
• Exploring how we can further develop our environments cross all campuses to better support teaching and learning, with thoughtful design and seamless indoor-outdoor flow.
• Deepening our use of AI and technology in ways that enhance, rather than replace, human connection.
• Strengthening our pastoral care systems, drawing on global best practice.
• Leveraging Wilson Bay Farm to lead in integrating service, outdoor education, and authentic, real-world learning. This unique campus will open new pathways for students, offering experiences and challenges far beyond the traditional classroom.
• Sharing these insights widely with staff to encourage reflection and collective visioning.
Ultimately, this sabbatical reinforced for me that education is fundamentally a human endeavour. It is our shared purpose, our relationships, and a commitment to continual growth that will shape the kind of school we want to be: one that not only prepares students for their world, but also helps them change it for the better.
Fides Servanda Est.
Learning to Lead
In early May, our school hosted a Leadership Symposium that brought together Year 8 leaders from across Auckland for a day of challenge, connection, and inspiration. Every Year 8 student in the cohort took part, recognising their positions as role models for the younger boys and as emerging leaders in their own right.
The day was deliberately split in two, reflecting a key truth about the two sides of leadership: it is as much about listening as it is about doing. Sometimes, leadership is formed through the wisdom and stories of others: their failures, uncertainty, and moments of courage. Other times, it takes being thrown into the moment, facing the uncomfortable, and learning how to lead in real time. This day offered both, and students from our Girls’ School, College, Diocesan, Baradene, St Cuthberts, and Dilworth all joined our Year 8s to take part in both sections of the day.
In the morning, one group of students rotated through a series of speaker sessions from an inspiring mix of leaders – from public servants like David Seymour, to business professionals such as Hamish Gordon, James McGhie, Tracey Taylor, Mark Winter, and Jeremy O’Brien. The boys also heard from recent alumni Daniel Presland, who is now transitioning into university life, and Ken Diekema, a member of our Chaplaincy team. Each speaker brought a different lens to what it means to lead – through service, resilience, or quiet determination. The other group of boys spent their morning in the gym-turned-problem-solving arena. Mixed-school teams tackled a series of fast-paced challenges that tested their communication, creativity, and ability to work together. It became quickly apparent that leadership doesn’t always mean taking charge – sometimes it means listening, adapting, or helping a teammate step up. The practical exercises gave the students a space to wrestle with leadership in the moment, and to realise that good leadership is rarely perfect and always growing.
The day concluded with a Q&A panel featuring two standout alumni: Luka Patumaka Makata (Saint Kentigern College Head Boy) and James Hiddleston (Auckland Grammar Head Boy). Each of their appointments stand as a legacy of the Boys’ School Class of 2020, and many other alumni of this era also hold leadership positions in schools across Auckland. Their reflections showed leadership in its next phase, grounded in values first shaped on Shore Road.
With wisdom, challenge, and community, the Leadership Symposium invited our Year 8s not just to lead, but to understand what kind of leaders they want to become.
SCAN FOR VIDEO
Speaking Up
The annual speech competition challenges students from Years 3 to 8 to write and deliver a speech with courage, clarity, and conviction. Within the two broad topics set this year of ‘A Special Person (Tangata Tino Pai)’ and ‘The Land (Whenua)’, what emerged were heartfelt tributes to loved ones and fresh takes on environmental and cultural issues. This much-anticipated time of year provides a platform for the boys to voice their ideas and advocate for what they feel passionate about.
For the first time in Years 7 and 8, Flash Talks were presented, joining formal speeches as the two methods of delivery. The theme ‘The Land (Whenua)’ offered our boys the chance to craft concise, impactful messages on a hotly contested issue. William Wang’s Flash Talk, ‘The Scars of the Land’, earned him not only first place in the Flash Talk category but also the title of overall winner. Ben Edery’s runner-up piece, ‘It Stops Here!’,
stood out for its one-liner gut punches and conviction. In the Formal Speech category, Zac Danish took first place with ‘It’s Not Just Dirt, Bro!’, a witty, insightful take on his revelation about the ground he stands on, while Thomas Bottomley was named runner-up for ‘A Message from Outer Space’. Guest judges Jude Dobson and David Riley praised the finalists’ originality and presence.
In the Year 5 and 6 competition, students also explored the Whenua theme from diverse angles, including New Zealand history, deforestation, and even life on Mars. Troy Gluckman took first place with a passionate speech on his homeland, Vietnam, while runner-up Zaid Menzies impressed with humour and personal insight into his own connection with the land. Toni Street served as guest judge and commended the boys’ confidence and delivery.
Year 4 students gave moving speeches on Tangata Tino Pai, a special person
in their lives. Kaleb Shek and Cooper Gage-Brown both chose to honour their dads, with Kaleb placing first and Cooper second. Year 3 winners Liam Xue and Landon Tang also shared their speeches, entertaining the audience during a break in the competition. The Year 4 speeches were judged by Judy Norton, Girls’ School Head of Performing Arts, and Louise Miles, Deputy Principal.
Following the school series, the winners went on to represent us at the Remuera Cluster competition. William Wang (Flash Talk) impressed the judges to claim 1st place, Felix (Spoken Word) was awarded 3rd equal, and Zac (Speech) also earned 3rd equal. Their performances reflected not only their talent and preparation but also the strength of our school’s public speaking culture.
SCAN FOR MORE
Seniors Lead at Science Roadshow
The Science Roadshow returned to Shore Road this term, turning JC Chalmers Hall into a lively hub of scientific discovery. With over 60 hands-on exhibits covering everything from forces and patterns to environmental science, the Saint Kentigern pit stop on the nation-wide tour invited students to explore real-world concepts in a playful and practical way.
This year, our Senior science monitors played a key role in making the experience so engaging; spread across the exhibition floor, they helped younger students navigate each station, explained how things worked, and asked thoughtful questions to get their peers thinking more deeply. Their
leadership brought a sense of teamwork to the sessions and showed how much can be learned when students support one another.
Each group also attended two live science shows: ‘Planet Earth – Whakaaturanga Papatūānuku’ delved into energy flows, ecosystems and cycles of matter, while ‘Balloons and Bernoulli – Ngā poihau me Bernoulli’ amazed students with air pressure tricks and unexpected experiments.
The day had all the fun and buzz of a science fair, but it also highlighted the value of student-led learning and the power of curiosity to bring science to life.
A Platform for Discovery
The Senior School Science Symposium once again revealed just the tip of the iceberg of learning; presentations emerged from weeks of deep research, questioning, testing, and writing behind the scenes.
The sheer scope and challenge of a science project is what makes this one of the most inspiring events on our academic calendar.
The top Years 7 and 8 Science Fair projects from each class were set up at stations, with students presenting to an audience of peers, parents, and teachers. Each had seven minutes to walk the audience through the scientific method they followed and explaining their hypotheses, experiments, and findings.
Projects ranged from inventive explorations of personal passions – music, sport, and engineering – to solutions for real-world challenges, such as flood management, earthquake safety, and sustainable packaging.
The symposium offered a platform for novel scientific thinking and confident communication as students shared their discoveries with clarity and persuasion. It was also a chance for the wider school community to be confronted by new hypotheses to consider the world differently.
A special congratulations goes to those who have qualified as NIWA Science Fair finalists, representing our school at the regional competition:
NIWA FINALISTS
Jisoo Yoon – ‘OUTPOST1’
Jordan Metcalfe – ‘Man vs Machine’
Cyrus Tong and Peter Tan – ‘Under the Weather? Let’s Make it Better’
Nic Smith – ‘Go with the Flow: Flood Redistribution’
Amos Tenenbaum and Joshua Sun – ‘AI vs Humans in Day Trading’
Thomas Bottomley – ‘Reed Between the Lines: A Pressure Pitch Story’
Edward Moon – ‘Chew On This’
Jeffrey Chen and Jayden Huang – ‘Earthquake Easers’
Nate Savidan – ‘Secrets of Lift’
Christian Smidt – ‘Sugary Shortbread’
Max Gaskell and Alex Morris – ‘Does Plastic Trump Paper?’
Darren Lin and Ollie Gordon – ‘Power Up’
Gavin Chen – ‘Dissolving Defences’
Leo Jamieson – ‘What Does a SCOBY Do?’
Anthony Li – ‘The King Isn’t the Only One under Pressure!’
Theo Gallaugher and Harry Chapman – ‘I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream’
Jesse Heads – ‘The Babylon Blueprint’
Chenhan Ouyang – ‘Rainfall Rinse or Dirty Downpour? Floods with a Purpose’
Learning At a Glance
Little Litter Heroes
Last term, our Year 1 and 2 boys rolled up their sleeves and got hands-on with an impactful and practical topic: rubbish and recycling. Through their Social Sciences unit and a visit from the mobile environmental classroom ‘Tread Lightly Caravan’, the boys have learnt what happens to things we no longer need. Particularly, natural decomposition, composting, recycling, and landfill use.
The boys became experts in sorting waste, identifying recycling codes, and planting seeds to understand nature’s cycles. The most inspiring evidence of learning was the student-led ‘Rubbish Club’. A group of motivated boys armed themselves with gloves and took it upon themselves to spend a portion of their lunchtimes picking up litter around the school grounds.
By the end of term, the boys weren’t just learning about sustainability, they were acting on it.
For the Love of Writing
To give creative expression space to develop into story, the Year 3 and 4 syndicate launched a Writing Club in Term 2. Meeting weekly at lunchtime, the club offers boys a quiet space to write narratives, poems, and even comic books. No assignments attached, just for fun!
One optional theme, time travel, led to some entries in a local writing competition. This term, the boys are experimenting with hyperlinks in PowerPoint slideshows, so they can start to write interactive stories, where the reader can choose how the story will unfold.
The Writing Club will continue every Tuesday lunchtime for the remainder of the year, with the boys being given other prompts to inspire new ideas. Towards the end of the year, some of them will have the chance to share what they have created with the rest of the Middle School at an assembly.
Festival Sparks Love of Storytelling
Our Year 6 boys were buzzing with excitement after their day at the Auckland Writers’ Festival. Kicking off the morning they listened to a lively session with Swedish duo Anders Sparring and Per Gustavsson, creators of ‘The Pinchers Family’, which combines storytelling and sketching to show how text and image work together.
They were then captivated by ‘Nevermoor’ author Jessica Townsend, whose advice to “write what excites you” hit home with the boys. Taranaki writer Steph Matuku lit up the stage with her humour and candid tales of growing up in Aotearoa, while stop-motion animator Antony Elworthy showed how drawings become film magic.
Hearing from authors and animators, the festival reminded our boys that stories are everywhere and that they can be the ones to tell them.
We Don’t Run, We Rise
Last term, our Year 8 Drama students explored the intersection of dance and drama to create a powerful performance on mental health. Inspired by their character education classes, the piece emphasised the importance of acknowledging emotions and supporting others.
Working in small groups, the boys began with mirrored movement sequences set to ‘Run Boy Run’ by Woodkid. These sequences built into a choreographed dance, rising in energy and emotion. A spoken word poem followed, delivered through choral and solo voices, layered with purposeful movement to express a pertinent message: don’t hide from your feelings, help is always available.
The final dance section embraced a more hopeful tone. Using the hip-hop style of ‘tutting’, the boys portrayed unity through synchronised movement, concluding with a striking lift, a symbol of rising together.
The result was a moving and memorable performance that demonstrated not only creativity and collaboration, but also the courage to speak up.
Celtic Day Celebrates Tradition With a Twist
Though the rain postponed the full Celtic Day festivities, we still embraced the opportunity to honour tradition in a meaningful way. Dressed in their House shirts, students gathered for an assembly that celebrated Scottish heritage through music, story, and reflection.
The Pipe Band opened the morning with stirring enthusiasm, setting the tone for a proud and joyful occasion. Deputy Principal Richard Kirk shared reflections on Principal Peter Cassie’s current visit to Scotland, including images of Glasgow Cathedral and a city lamppost marked with the same four symbols that adorn the boys’ blazers: the tree, bird, bell, and fish. These emblems are drawn from the miracles of Saint Mungo, which were shared in a thoughtful presentation by the House Prefects titled ‘The Kind Heart of Mungo’.
Between addresses, Boyi Yujin performed a beautiful violin solo alongside the Performers Choir’s rendition of ‘The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond’. A spirited whole-school singalong of ‘Jimmy of the Highlands’ and ‘Scotland the Brave’ followed, filling the hall with voices in full chorus.
As tradition holds, Head Boy Austin Watson recited the ‘Ode to the Haggis’ with vigour, joined in a toast by Deputy Head Boy Charlie Henderson, Rev. Reuben Hardie, and Richard Kirk, paying tribute to the legacy of the school and the Head Boys who came before.
The morning concluded with a sausage sizzle and House activities – proof that even a rainy forecast couldn’t dampen the unmistakable spirit of Celtic Day.
A Table for Two
BIENNIAL MOTHER AND SON BREAKFAST
Across two mornings, we hosted the much-loved Mother and Son Breakfast at Ellerslie Events Centre. For many families, it was a welcome pause and rare chance to share a meal together away from the rush of the week. Boys welcomed their mums with roses and led them to tables surrounded by friends and classmates, ready to enjoy some time together.
This year’s speaker was TV presenter, producer and author, Jude Dobson, who shared stories from ‘The Last Secret Agent’, her number-one bestselling memoir of Pippa Latour. Pippa, a decorated World War II spy, was one of the last surviving female agents of the Special Operations Executive. Her life changed when she was parachuted into Nazi-occupied France to transmit messages back to London while evading German detection. Even her own children didn’t know of her service until they found a reference online and asked her if she was in trouble with the government. Her reply? “No, but I was a spy in the war.”
Jude shared, with warmth and humour, what it was like to interview Pippa, who spent her final years living quietly with her dogs and doves “in the last place in New Zealand without Wi-Fi.”
The morning also featured a round of generous spot prizes, including copies of ‘The Last Secret Agent’, JBL noisecancelling headphones, and UE speakers, the technology kindly donated by Spark Business Hub, Auckland CBD. One lucky mum also received a pilates voucher to share with seven friends in the weeks ahead.
Amongst the excitement and inspiration, at its heart, the breakfast was about setting aside a morning to simply be together. For one hour, there were flowers, hot breakfasts, shared laughs, and the creation of the kind of memories that linger well beyond the school year.
‘World-Famous’ P&F Masquerade Quiz Night
Our annual Parents and Friends fundraising Quiz Night held on 14 June was a spectacular success, with 330 enthusiastic attendees filling the Jubilee Sports Centre gym. Thanks to the generosity of our parent community, just over $19,000 was raised for new EOTC equipment and outdoor activities for the boys to enjoy on their camps and adventures.
This year’s masquerade theme added flair and fun to the evening, as parents arrived dressed in disguises ranging from mysterious villains to iconic characters, bringing colour, creativity, and laughter to the night.
The room buzzed with energy as teams faced off in a wideranging quiz covering music, cooking, general knowledge, and more. Organisers kept a close eye on some particularly mischievous ‘villains’ who really leaned into their roles – all in good fun, of course!
After a hotly contested series of rounds, team ‘Eyes Wide Open’ claimed victory by a razor-thin margin of just one point, earning well-deserved cheers from the crowd.
Beyond the friendly rivalry, the event was a fantastic opportunity for parents to connect, share a memorable night, and rally behind the school community. A heartfelt thank you goes to Cahill Accounting for their generous sponsorship and support.
Instrumentalists in Fine Form
This year’s Instrumental Competition showcased the depth of talent from both Middle and Senior School performers. Held in front of their peers and guest judge Kirsten Scouller, Director of Performing Arts at King’s School, the finals merely scratched the surface of musical ability and dedication from these young performers.
The Middle School finalists were a strong cohort, with Boyi Yujin’s expressive violin performance taking first place. His piece demanded technical precision and dynamic range, both delivered with confidence and control. George Sun (piano) placed second and Eason Zhu (clarinet) came third.
In the Senior School division, pianist Cyrus Tong earned top honours with a jazzy, expressive performance that balanced technical flair with musical sensitivity. Equal second went to Gavin Chen (piano) and Austin Watson (trumpet), with Aaron Zhao (guitar) placing third. Kirsten also made special mention of Thomas Bottomley on the pipes, whose crowdpleasing ‘Pumpkin’s Fancy’ “brought a tear to my eye.”
Across the board, the performers showed poise, preparation, and musicality beyond their years. Kirsten praised the standard of playing and the evident dedication from each finalist.
Music Highlights
AN OVERVIEW OF MUSICAL EVENTS AT THE BOYS’ SCHOOL
Making Music with Dilworth
Our String Orchestra and Concert Band combined with Dilworth for a combined session creating music. The large Concert Band and String Orchestra with both schools saw 80 musicians making music together and working with conductors from Dilworth. A concert performed to Dilworth classes gave all four groups, from both schools, a chance to perform separately, before they performed the workshopped items. Thank you to Dilworth for hosting.
Performers’ Choir Capital Tour
First Notes for Rawhiti Residents
The Performers’ Choir hit all the right notes on their Wellington tour, sharing their music across some of the capital’s most iconic schools and landmarks. Warmly welcomed by Seatoun School, Te Papa, Weta Workshop, and Scots College, the boys performed at each stop and collaborated with fellow students in song. Spontaneous airport singing and personalised thankyou performances, reminded them that when you love what you do, the music flows naturally.
QR TO FULL ARTICLE
Our Junior Chorus, Mungo’s Sons, and the Middle School Flute Choir brought the pure joy of music to the residents of Rawhiti Estate during their first public performance of the year. The choirs delighted the audience with favourites including Penny Lane, Here Comes the Sun, Rockin’ Robin, and a combined performance of Feelin’ Groovy. The Flute Choir followed with a cheerful Pizza Music duet and Annie’s Song. The boys represented the school beautifully, supported by Georgina Jarvis, Teresa de Vries, and Antonia Brightwell.
Cargill Takes the Crown at Cross Country
In a tightly contested Cross Country event, Cargill House emerged as overall champions for 2025, edging out Chalmers by a colossal 300 points in the final standings. Hamilton placed third, with Wishart rounding out the competition.
The Years 1–2 races were held at Martyn Wilson Fields, with the older boys tackling the challenging College course. From the first whistle, competition was fierce, with runners battling for every position and valuable house points.
Chalmers dominated the early year groups, claiming clean sweeps in both Year 1 and Year 4, but Cargill’s consistent placings across all age groups proved decisive. Wishart secured notable wins in the Senior races, including those of Year 6 Zach Lovell and Year 7 Henry York, while Hamilton celebrated victories in Year 2, and several strong podium finishes.
INDIVIDUAL WINNERS:
Year 1
1st Stefan Yin – Chalmers
2nd George Zhong – Chalmers
3rd Ari Bhar – Chalmers
Year 2
1st Finn Prebble – Hamilton
2nd Jack Carr Boyd – Chalmers
3rd Ashton Forbes – Chalmers
Year 3
1st Will Sommerville – Chalmers
2nd Ralph Dickie – Hamilton
3rd Landon Tang – Cargill
Year 4
1st Finn Bowkett – Chalmers
2nd Hugo Porter – Chalmers
3rd Tennyson Stein – Chalmers
Year 5
1st Sebastian Dow – Chalmers
2nd Liam Cooney – Wishart
3rd Jenson Brooker – Hamilton
Year 6
1st Zach Lovell – Wishart
2nd Felix Newland – Hamilton
3rd Jack Stephans – Cargill
Year 7
1st Fletcher Sturge – Cargill
2nd Henry York – Wishart
3rd Leo Jamieson – Cargill
Year 8
1st Alby Richards – Chalmers
2nd Alex Daniels – Hamilton
3rd Ryan Davies – Cargill
SCAN FOR MORE
Beyond the Scoreboard
For many of our sportsmen, the highlight of the year is the winter fixture period, with matches held each Tuesday and Wednesday. These games give our Years 5 to 8 boys the chance to test their skills in the winter codes against local schools. Add to this the tours and exchanges, and it’s easy to see why these experiences are so highly anticipated.
In Term 2, our 1st XV rugby, 1st XI hockey, and 1st XI football teams toured the South Island. Landing in Christchurch, we played our first fixtures against Medbury School. The boys were too strong for Medbury, and all games were played in fantastic spirit. We billeted with Medbury families for two nights, squeezing in a fiercely competitive ten-pin bowling outing between fixtures.
The next day, we faced St Andrew’s College, where rugby went down to a Year 9-heavy side, while hockey and football both secured wins. After lunch with St Andrew’s, we returned to our billets before heading south to Waihi School near Geraldine. Waihi may be small, but their toughness showed: rugby lost, hockey drew, and football was our sole win. The billets, who are mostly from farm families, gave the boys a taste of a very different lifestyle.
Although sport is the reason for connection, hosting is just as important; we welcomed Huntley School from Marton for rugby, football, and hockey. Many of their students are from rural backgrounds, so experiencing Auckland was a thrill. Our billeting families went out of their way to make their time in the ‘big smoke’ memorable.
We also enjoyed hosting Churchie Grammar from Brisbane, a school with whom we share a long-standing relationship. This fixture was a highlight for our Year 7 boys, who relished the chance to play rugby, football, and basketball without competing for spots with Year 8s. The afternoon was capped off by our famous pie and doughnut lunch.
These exchanges and tours are about much more than sport: the boys have gained invaluable experiences – learning from peers with diverse backgrounds, and staying with billet families – that go well beyond what 90 minutes on a field or court can teach. Sport remains the vehicle that makes this kind of experiential learning possible for our top athletes.
Sports Round Up
AN OVERVIEW OF SPORTING EVENTS AT THE BOYS’ SCHOOL
Leon Li Named to NZ Badminton Development Squad
Leon Li (7LA) had an outstanding season, securing multiple national titles and a place in the New Zealand U15 Development Squad. He won the NZ U13 National Junior Team Championships and took out the Boys’ Doubles Division 2 at the NZ U15 Nationals, along with a runner-up finish in Mixed Doubles Division 3. A remarkable achievement for one of our rising talents.
Hockey Team Earns Interzone Bronze
Coached by Betsie Warner, our 1st XI Hockey team once again won the Eastern Zone Tournament and qualified for Interzones. After topping their pool, the team faced Northcross in a tough semi-final and were narrowly defeated. They went on to defeat Kristin 4–1 in the third-place playoff, finishing with a well-earned bronze.
Team 7A Crowned Interzone Football Champions
Our Year 7 and 8 football teams performed exceptionally at the Eastern Zone Tournament, with the Year 8s placing second and the Year 7s claiming the title. Led by Coach Dan Foggo, the Year 7 team advanced to Interzones and emerged as Auckland Interzone Champions. Their unbeaten run included wins over Manurewa (1–0), BBI (2–0), and Kedgley (5–0), followed by a semi-final win against Remuera Intermediate (2–0). They secured the championship in a penalty shootout after a 2–1 final against Northcross.
Orienteering Teams Win Eastern Zones
A surge of interest in orienteering among our Year 7 and 8 boys has seen strong results this season, led by William Reeves and his mum Belinda; William, one of New Zealand’s top orienteers in his age group and 2024 AIMS Games champion, helped rally a dedicated team. Both our Year 7 and 8 squads won their divisions at the Eastern Zones and placed in the top ten at Interzones.
Character: The Soil in which All Learning Grows
ADamon Emtage BEd, M Ed College Principal
t Saint Kentigern College, character is one of the four pillars of our Statement of Intent. It is more than an aspiration – it is the foundation upon which every other aspect of our community rests. We believe that true education extends beyond academic achievement: it is about shaping young people who live with integrity, gratitude, and purpose.
Our vision for character education is rooted in four traits: confidence, passion, self-belief, and gratitude. These are not simply admirable qualities; they are essential dispositions that help students navigate a complex world: confidence allows young people to take risks and trust in their ability to make a difference; passion provides energy and direction, helping students identify and pursue that which matters most; self-belief grounds decision-making in integrity and resilience; gratitude reflects humility and appreciation, motivating service to others. Together, these traits create a moral and ethical framework that guides our community.
We develop these traits through a wide range of experiences: chapel and faithbased programmes invite students
to reflect on meaning and purpose; co-curricular initiatives and cultural celebrations create opportunities for connection and identity, and camps, service projects, and leadership roles allow students to discover their capacity to contribute. Character at Saint Kentigern College is not taught in isolation – it is “caught, taught, and sought”.
Caught: Students absorb character by observing those around them. Staff, peers, and community members act as role models, showing through their actions what it means to live with integrity and gratitude. In daily relationships, rituals, and traditions, students catch glimpses of the values we profess.
Taught: Character is also shaped through deliberate programming. Chapel messages, tutor time, leadership training, and our ETT framework provide explicit opportunities to learn the language, habits, and skills of character. Here, students see that character is not accidental but intentional.
Sought: Finally, students must take ownership of their own growth; through agency, reflection, and service, they are encouraged to actively seek to develop the qualities they most admire. Whether it is stepping forward for leadership, initiating service projects, or striving for excellence in sport, arts, or academics, students discover that character formation is a journey they must choose for themselves.
A distinctive aspect of our approach is the shift from belonging to mattering. Belonging suggests inclusion; mattering demands action. It is not only about being valued, but also about adding value to others. Our students are encouraged to ask not just “Do I belong here?” but “How do I matter here?” This shift reframes leadership as stewardship, service as responsibility, and learning as preparation for contribution. Character also interacts with our other pillars of intent. It strengthens care and wellbeing through resilience and empathy. It shapes community by fuelling gratitude, identity, and cohesion. It underpins learning and teaching by promoting integrity, purposeful engagement, and a willingness to grow through challenge. Character is therefore the soil in which wellbeing, community, and learning take root.
Ultimately, character is not an incidental by-product of schooling: it must be cultivated with care and purpose. Our commitment is to shape individuals of character who serve with humility, lead with integrity, and live with gratitude.
At Saint Kentigern College, character is caught, taught, and sought. Above all, it is the living soil from which all learning, leadership, and service grow.
Fides Servanda Est.
Laying Claim to Our Heritage
The College held its inaugural Heritage Assembly on 29 May, marking what we hope will become an annual tradition and celebration of the College’s unique roots, history, and continued success. This event was initiated by the House Leaders and Head Prefects as part of the ‘Make a Difference’ legacy project, designed to establish a lasting tradition honouring the school’s Scottish and Presbyterian foundations. The assembly began with the skirl of bagpipes as the Pipes and Drums band welcomed the College from the bridge above Gym 1. Wearing his own McQueen family tartan, Associate Principal Duncan McQueen invited
students to reflect on the significance of tartans at Saint Kentigern, from the formal dress tartan of the Prefects, to the MacFarlan hunting tartan of the Pipe Band, and the College’s own blue-andwhite sett officially registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans in 2009. He described tartan not only as a pattern, but as a representation of identity deeply tied to clan tradition and heritage.
Our Scottish roots were further honoured with a theatrical and wellreceived performance of Robbie Burns’ ‘Ode to the Haggis’ by Year 13 student Luka Manley. He was flanked by Ari Taylor and Ryan Jiao bearing traditional Scottish basket-hilt swords, while Luka Evans carried the haggis and Shu Kay Wong carried the ceremonial dram of
Scotch whisky (apple juice, in our case), completing this time-honoured ritual. The performance was followed by a Highland Sword Dance delivered with grace and precision by Year 8 student Sienna Lee.
These rich cultural moments, framed within a broader reflection on heritage and progress, gave students a tangible connection to the past and a clearer vision of the future. This student-led assembly now stands as a formal marker in the College calendar, offering a meaningful occasion to pause, acknowledge our shared legacy, and celebrate another chapter in the life of Saint Kentigern.
Student Successes
Two Students Earn Brain Research Internships
On 26 June, Chloe Kim-Johnson, Jeanna Ho, and Linda Xu represented the College at the annual ‘Brain Bee’ competition held at Auckland’s Centre for Brain Research. The international neuroscience event challenges Year 11 students to expand their understanding of the brain through multiple rounds of increasingly advanced content, starting with basic neural function, all the way through to neurological disorders.
Chloe Kim-Johnson placed seventh nationally in Round Two, earning her a coveted internship at the Auckland Medical Research Centre. Linda Xu was also selected for an internship, following a strong recommendation based on her keen interest and dedication to neuroscience. Both students have been invited to take part in the September/October internship programme at the Centre for Brain Research.
Alongside the competition, students toured the research facilities and connected with neuroscientists and postgraduate students, gaining valuable insight into the world of brain science. It was an inspiring and eye-opening experience for all involved.
Global Round Bound for World Scholar’s Cup Teams
Three College teams have qualified for the Global Round of the prestigious World Scholar’s Cup, following a stellar performance at the Auckland Regional Round held on 13 and 14 May at Kelston Boys’ High School.
The academic competition spans debate, collaborative writing, a multiple-choice Scholar’s Challenge, and the highenergy Scholar’s Bowl. As Senior student Kobain Birchall describes, “The competition presents itself as a celebration… pairing its academic aspect with an odd and pervasive sense of humour based on communal in-jokes and popular culture.”
This year’s results mark a record for Saint Kentigern, with all three participating teams (two Senior and one Junior) earning their place in the next stage. Notably, Team 444 (Senior Division) secured first place in three of the four events. Team 443 (Senior Division) also achieved an impressive fifth place overall, while Junior Team 424 earned third in the Scholar’s Bowl.
A special congratulations goes to Kobain Birchall, who was named Top Scholar of the competition, in addition to contributing to Team 444’s multiple first-place finishes – an outstanding individual accomplishment.
SCAN FOR MORE
Year 13 Alan Chen Tackles Global Physics Stage
Year 13 student Alan Chen was selected for the 2025 New Zealand team competing in the International Young Physicists’ Tournament (IYPT), held at the University of Lund in Sweden. This prestigious event brings together secondary school students from around the globe to present solutions to seventeen complex, open-ended physics problems.
“I was lucky enough to be part of New Zealand’s 2025 IYPT team, which involved many weeks of experimentation, modelling, and analysis – a valuable glimpse into the world of academic research,” Alan said. A highlight of the tournament was using the University of Auckland’s spectroscopy lab to investigate the Raman effect as part of the quantum fingerprinting problem.
Once in Sweden, Alan and his teammates took part in five ‘Physics fights’, where they defended their own solutions and critiqued those of other teams. “Though these [fights] were stressful, I was able to meet like-minded people from all around the world… who were also editing their presentations last-minute,” he said.
In the end, Team New Zealand finished just one spot shy of a bronze medal, an impressive achievement in a highly competitive field. “All in all, IYPT 2025 was an amazing experience. I encourage anyone interested to read the 2026 problems,” Alan shared.
Record Numbers for Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award
Our College continues to lead the way in experiential learning, with a record 280 Year 10 students undertaking their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award in 2025, the largest cohort in the country.
This outstanding participation reflects our deep commitment to holistic education and outdoor experiences. With strong pastoral systems, a structured approach to skill-building, and a vibrant service culture, students are supported every step of the way of their Duke of Edinburgh experience, including volunteering, learning new skills, physical activity, and their adventurous journeys.
Head of EOTC Will Gage-Brown believes the College’s success lies in the combination of student enthusiasm, strong systems, and supportive, committed staff: “We’re doing well to embed the programme into Year 10 as a rite of passage and also connect the programme to Field Centre through the Qualifying Journey. We do not promote the DOE programme, it is something that has grown organically due to the successes we’ve had. Over the past five years we’ve had a 65% increase in student numbers at Bronze Level, and a 50% increase in student numbers at Silver level.”
With high retention into the Silver and Gold Awards, the programme is building outdoor experience and capability, as well as character, over the years of participation required from its students.
SCAN FOR VIDEO
The Place That Became My Home
The Bruce House mural for 2025 features a bold tiger at its centre, a fitting emblem of the strength, loyalty, and spirit that defines our boarding community. Bruce House offers more than a convenient oncampus bed to sleep in – it is a home built on belonging, shared stories, and lifelong bonds.
For many students, Bruce House becomes the heart of their College experience. Boarders celebrate each other’s successes, support one another during challenges, and form friendships that last well beyond their schooling years. This connection is why alumni from as far back as 1954, through to
our most recent group of Bruce House graduates, often return to visit. One past boarder even chose to hold their wedding at Bruce House, a place that meant so much to them.
Wilson House Prefect, Victor Triamchanchoochai, knows this feeling well. Having moved from Thailand to New Zealand at a young age, he admits the idea of leaving his family behind for five years was daunting; Bruce House quickly changed that. “From day one, I was surrounded by people who cared and saw me as their brother,” he shared. He recalls learning how to cook meals with “just a microwave,” late-night conversations with roommates, and the familiar Friday
wake-ups from his Head of House, as moments that shaped his experience. “My roommates, friends, and the Bruce House staff helped me settle in and showed me what it means to belong.”
Victor’s story captures what makes Bruce House special; the vibrant culture here thrives because of its people. Our boarders look out for each other, share their stories, and take the time to listen. These everyday interactions are what have turned Bruce House into a family. In the words of Victor, “This is the family that I have, always, and will always belong to.”
From Left to Right: Terry Boyd( ) ; Neville Woodcock (1958); Head Boy of Bruce House Benjamin Moughan (2024) & Sgt Chris Lynch (2010)
Top Left: Alex (Min Jae) Kim (2010) and his wife Michelle; Top Right: Head Girl Lisa Gu (2025) and Head Girl Jacqueline Masamba-Hunter (2023); Middle left: Brothers David Hall (1964) and Garth Hall (1967) ; Bottom Left: Xavi Taele (2022) and Ben Ake (2021); Bottom Right: Yi Lin Zhao (2024) with Victor Triamchanchoochai (2025)
Innovation in the Fast Lane
Held over the Matariki weekend, the 2025 College STEM Racing competition brought together eight high-performing student teams for a showcase of innovation, teamwork, and speed. With four teams competing in the Development Class and four in the Professional Class, the event tested both engineering skill and strategic thinking.
Saturday’s programme included technical scrutinising and judging, followed by the Development Class Grand Prix. On Sunday, the Professional Class teams took to the track before the weekend culminated in a knockout tournament featuring top performers from both divisions.
Among fierce competition, ‘Wairua GP’ earned the Fastest Car Award, while ‘Mahi’ edged ahead of them to take the Development Class title. In the Professional Class, ‘TF2 Fast’ lived up to their name, claiming both the Fastest Car Award and the prestigious F1 Club Champions Trophy.
Close finishes across the board made for an exciting and memorable weekend. Families, friends, and supporters gathered to cheer on the racers, turning the event into a celebration of student innovation and applied learning.
Now in its second year, the College F1 Club continues to offer a platform for students to develop STEM skills and creative confidence through highlevel competition. The 2025 event has set a new benchmark, one that future teams will no doubt aim to surpass.
T‘JellyThreads’ Prove Plushies Mean
Business
he Year 11 Business Fair at Elliot Hall put students’ entrepreneurial skills to the test. After weeks of business planning, market research, and product development, each group launched a small business, producing goods from lessons learned in class.
One standout venture, ‘JellyThreads’, sold handmade crochet plushies inspired by successful toy business ‘Jellycat’. With no prior experience, the group spent hours learning techniques, trialling patterns, and balancing production with schoolwork.
“We realised that listening to one another and finding ways to compromise was key to a successful outcome,” the team reflected. Their dedication paid off, with overwhelming support from peers and staff on the day.
Like all groups, JellyThreads contributed a ‘tax’ from their profits which helped to raise a total of $400 for the Bellyful Charitable Trust.
The fair was a true case study in turning ideas into impact, proving that creativity, clever marketing, and collaboration are at the heart of every successful business.
SCAN FOR MORE
A Night in New York
Set against the waterfront skyline, the 2025 College Ball brought the energy of New York City to Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre. The evening delivered everything students had hoped for: great music, food, and time spent together as a year group before their final term begins.
The theme, ‘A Night in New York’, was chosen collectively by the students, and reflected throughout the venue. The skyline photo backdrops and bold centrepieces were the finishing touches to the real star of the night: a packed dance floor, buzzing the entire night.
Spacious seating encouraged everyone to mingle and relax between songs, while a steady stream of sushi, sliders, and other crowd favourites kept students fuelled. The playlist featured throwbacks, classics, and singalongs, with a memorable guest appearance from Hamilton House Leader Harry Connell, who stepped in behind the DJ booth as ‘Mr Harry’ to add a personal twist to the night.
Photo booths by White Door Photography offered plenty of opportunities to capture memories, with groups of friends queuing for keepsake shots before heading back to the dance floor.
More than just a social event, the ball offered a moment to pause and celebrate a shared journey, one that’s rapidly nearing its final chapters.
House Music Draws Crowd of 2,500
The annual House Music
Competition lit up the Due Drop Events Centre on 28 May, with over 2,500 friends, family, and students packing the stadium for a night of incredible music and vivacious House pride.
Seven Houses competed in two categories (choir and band) with over than 250 students singing in each choir and talented auditioned musicians forming each band. It was, as always, a student-led affair, showcasing leadership, teamwork, and months of preparation.
This year, Wishart House topped the overall rankings, taking out the choir competition with a crowdpleasing, full-voiced performance of
Coldplay’s ‘Viva La Vida’. Their band also placed second, bringing energy and flair with Bruno Mars’ ‘Runaway Baby’, homegrown Six60’s ‘Don’t Forget Your Roots’, and a surprise dance crew that had the crowd on their feet.
Chalmers House, ever a contender, came second overall. Their choir sang Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ with great spirit, while their third place band featured a standout brass section and a powerful rendition of Coldplay’s ‘Fix You’ that lit up the crowd (and their phone torches).
Cargill House took third overall, with their winning band channelling their girl-group energy in a bold,
choreographed medley of Britney Spears’ ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time’, Gloria Gaynor’s ‘I Will Survive’, and Carrie Underwood’s ‘Before He Cheats’.
Other highlights included Bruce House’s take on Avicii’s ‘The Nights’, Wilson’s soulful ‘Just the Way You Are’ by Bruno Mars, Stark’s catchy rendition of Taylor Swift’s ‘You Belong With Me’, and Hamilton’s unexpected twist with Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas’, a festive surprise mid-May!
Congratulations to all performers, leaders, and staff involved, and special thanks to Steve Broun for coordinating this extraordinary event once again.
Down the Rabbit Hole
The clocks were wrong, the tea never stopped, and the queen had lost her temper: Wonderland had arrived at Elliot Hall. In this year’s Middle School musical, ‘Alice in Wonderland JR’, the stage erupted into a world where logic was turned on its head. Nothing was quite as it seemed – except the magic of the story itself.
Led by Ruby Mapson as Alice –supported by Indie Johnson (Tall Alice) and Lauren Fletcher (Small Alice) – the production cleverly played with the idea of Alice’s changing identity as she navigates the trials and marvels of Wonderland. From the high-energy of Oliver Bennett’s
Mad Hatter to Ruby-Jane Roach’s scene-stealing Queen of Hearts, the leads infused the show with energy and humour. Henry Cannon charmed as the perpetually flustered White Rabbit, while a trio of Cheshire Cats (Elsa Taylor, Pippa Ensor, and Phoebe Wakelin) added mystery and mischief.
Director Ashton Brown guided the cast with a creative hand, encouraging students to embrace the absurd: “Alice in Wonderland is a timeless tale... it encourages the viewer to immerse themselves in the magical nonsense of creativity and imagination, and to leave logic and reason at the door – which is exactly how I operate as a creative.”
With strong performances from the leads, supported by whimsical set design and imaginative costuming, the production brought Wonderland vividly to life. Talking doorknobs, tea parties, and roses painted red captured the joy and surreal charm Alice’s journey through Wonderland is loved for.
And as Alice declared her sense of self in the final scene, it was hard not to draw a parallel – there’s something powerful about watching a story come to life on stage, told by students who are, likewise, just beginning to discover their own.
SCAN FOR MORE
All Eyes on the Dance Showcase
There was no easing into the night – the 2025 Dance Showcase launched at full throttle as the Senior Jazz Academy’s ‘Fireball’ lit up the stage, an electrifying opener that set the tone for an evening of dynamic, tightly-rehearsed performance.
Held over two nights, the showcase revealed the scope and depth of the College’s dance programme. Every genre was reflected, from expressive contemporary works to high-octane hip-hop sets, each performance reflected student voice, creative collaboration and hours of committed rehearsal.
As always, the hip-hop troupes delivered high-impact energy. ‘Kents Mega Crew’ impressed with razor-sharp choreography and a punchy soundtrack, while ‘Hip Hop Throughout the Decades’ struck a clever balance between throwback beats and fresh movement.
One of the evening’s standouts was ‘Just Want to Dance’ by the all-boys troupe. Their performance combined rhythm, character, and unfiltered enjoyment, earning big cheers from the audience, who were clearly swept up in the fun.
Among the Senior works, ‘Petal Pushers’ by the Senior Contemporary Academy drew attention for its clean, expressive movement and sculptural formations. It offered a change of pace amid the night’s faster numbers.
This year marked Hana Tipa’s first showcase as Head of Dance. Reflecting on the milestone, she shared: “Our dancers have shown remarkable resolve, juggling demanding rehearsals with academic and co-curricular commitments. This evening celebrates each student’s artistic journey and personal progress. Witnessing their development, confidence, and passion for dance has been a true privilege.”
Original choreography by Senior students also added richness to the programme, particularly through NCEA works that tackled themes like perfectionism, burnout, AI, and self-acceptance, bringing another layer of authenticity to the stage.
This year’s Dance Showcase was a compelling display of talent, teamwork and vision. Led in part by the graduating Year 13s, it captured a programme on the move, one that continues to grow in confidence and creative ambition.
Spotlight on Student Voice at the Play Series
This year’s Play Series brought together three Senior year groups for three weeks of performances in the Dance Studios: a packed end-ofterm programme that showcased the skill, voice, and confidence of our young actors across a variety of genres and styles.
The Year 12 IB Theatre Arts students opened the series with a gripping performance of ‘Blood Wedding’ by Federico García Lorca. Their interpretation balanced stillness, tension, and powerful movement to bring the poetic Spanish drama to life with maturity and emotional depth. They were followed by the Year 12 NCEA class with a wildly entertaining take on ‘Revenge of the Amazons’, a Kiwi adaptation of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ that blended Shakespeare with satire. With plenty of physical comedy, tongue-in-cheek costumes, and some
strong classical delivery from the lovers and fairies, the contrast between the two plays made for a vibrant double bill on opening night.
The second week belonged to the Year 13 Drama students, who brought to the stage two separate casts of ‘Cosi’ by Louis Nowra. Set in a mental institution in 1970s Australia, the dark comedy revolved around an unlikely theatre troupe’s attempt to stage Mozart’s ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’. The students embraced the play’s chaotic pace and layered humour with conviction, showing strong ensemble chemistry and a willingness to lean into the more absurd, heartfelt moments. For many of these students, it marked their final performance on a College stage – a fitting and memorable farewell.
The Year 11 classes wrapped up the Play Series with two ensemble works: ‘Failure
or Fortitude – The Female Edition’ was equal parts moving and funny, exploring the lives of women in factories and the perseverance required to challenge stereotypes; ‘Tuesday’ was a genrebending ensemble piece set in a universe on the brink of collapse. With themes of love, friendship, and time-shifting realities, the cast tackled the abstract narrative with confidence and clarity.
The 2025 Play Series delivered a three week theatre marathon like no other, where Shakespeare found a sense of humour, Lorca met a violinist, and the Dance Studios became everything from a wedding chapel to a paper bag factory. The students took each script and made it unmistakably their own, proving that when it comes to drama, there’s no such thing as too much flair.
Music Highlights
AN OVERVIEW OF MUSICAL EVENTS AT THE COLLEGE
A Swinging Success at Auckland Jazz Festival
Jazz is alive at Saint Kentigern College and the proof is at the Birkenhead RSA. After an intensive round of heats over two weekends, our premier Big Band and Combos ‘Yoshi’s’ and ‘Village Vanguard’ made it to the top four in their respective categories, putting them in the best of the best.
The Combos both received platinum awards which acknowledges they are playing at a university standard, and Big Band received a gold. Oscar Gu also received an Outstanding Soloist Award for his drumming in both Yoshi’s and Big Band.
A Night at the Jazz Club
The newly introduced Jazz Club proved to be a standout addition to the our musical calendar. Designed to give our Jazz Combos and Big Bands the chance to perform in an intimate, authentic setting, the evening welcomed guests to a New York-style club. Guests enjoyed live performances while seated at tables with charcuterie boards, soaking in the atmosphere as our musicians demonstrated their skill and versatility across a range of jazz standards.
Soloists Shine in Annual Competition
This year’s Solo Music Competition once again proved the breadth of talent among our Middle and Senior School musicians. In the Middle School division, Peter Hu impressed the judges to take first place, following on from being named last year’s Overall Middle School Winner. For the first time ever, contemporary strings and traditional instrument categories were added, increasing the scope of the competition and allowing more of our students to compete.
In the Senior School division, the judging panel, Rachel Sutherland (voice specialist working with the NZ Choir Federation) and Jasmine Sun (Assistant Director of Performing Arts at Diocesan and a pianist and flautist), could not separate two outstanding performers. Lawrence Liu (alto saxophone) and Isaac Chang (piano) shared the top award, both delivering exceptional performances that showed maturity beyond their years.
SCAN FOR MORE
Kentoris Performs at Big Sing Cadenza
Fresh from their Big Sing performance in June, our premier mixed choir, Kentoris, was selected to perform at Cadenza in Rotorua this August, presenting a four-piece repertoire over the three-day festival. The event also marked the debut of the newly redesigned Kentoris uniform, a contemporary, striking look that reflects the unique spirit and identity of our College.
NZ Chamber Music Auckland Contest
The Auckland Chamber Music Contest at the Raye Freedman Arts Centre brought together the nation’s top young musicians, and our College made its mark. Out of 99 school groups competing for twelve Regional final spots, four featured our students.
William Xu, Talia Yuan, and Qian Wan impressed with Schoenfeld’s ‘Café Music’, with Qian returning alongside three cellists from other schools in ‘Fellas with Cellas’. All are still juniors. Goodfellas (Isaac Chang, Peter Hu, and Christian Miao) delivered Lutoslawski’s ‘Variations on a Theme by Paganini’ and Lansky’s ‘Textures No. 1’ and ‘No. 8’, earning a North Island final place. They were joined by Fellas with Cellas and Liam Zhou, who performed Damase’s ‘Les Mousquetaires’ with a combined schools group.
Both Chian Wan and Liam Zhou’s groups continued through to the National Final with Chian Wan’s Fellas with Cellos receiving the National Adjudicators Award.
Junior Boys’ Choir Established
This year saw the introduction of the Junior Boys’ Choir which is an extension of our ever-growing choral programme. It is aimed at Years 7 and 8 boys and is a space for them to enjoy singing. This year, they entered the Kids Sing competition for the first time, performing three pieces at the Holy Trinty Cathedral.
Rock Showcase Draws in Full House
The mid-year Rock Showcase once again gave our bands a platform to perform original songs and classic covers to a lively audience. ‘Groovy Gorillas’ and ‘Last Chance’ took the stage, fresh from reaching the Manukau Smokefree Rockquest regional finals, and were joined by students from all year levels in high-energy sets that had the crowd clapping and singing along. The event remains a key highlight for contemporary music students to hone their confidence and stagecraft.
Tradition in Full Swing at Ceilidh
On the evening of 7 June, Elliott Hall transformed into a lively scene of Scottish celebration for the annual College Ceilidh. The sound of bagpipes opened the night as the College Pipe Band welcomed guests with a commanding solo set before joining forces with the Second Pipe Band in a full-bodied performance that filled every corner of the hall. The bands’ precision and musicality affirmed their world-class calibre which came as no surprise, having previously performed on the international stage at the Basel Tattoo, a prestigious event they hope to return to in the coming years.
Associate Principal Duncan McQueen, wearing his family’s McQueen tartan, played host for the night and introduced ‘the guest of honour,’ the haggis, with his signature gusto. Year 13 student Luka Manley followed with a spirited ‘Ode to the Haggis’, delivering the Robert Burns classic with all the theatrical flair and reverence it deserved. The address led guests into the hearty Scottish fare ahead.
Before and after dinner, guests took to the floor to join in traditional Scottish reels and jigs, many for the first time. Between courses, sisters Grace and Annalise Broun performed Highland dances with striking synchronicity,
while soloist Amelia Evangelidakis delivered a set of lilting Scottish songs, accompanied by a band comprised largely of staff.
The Ceilidh remains an evening of entertainment and opportunity to fundraise for our talented musicians; proceeds support our Pipes and Drums as they prepare to represent the school on the world stage at the Basel Tattoo, the second-largest military tattoo globally. With tradition, togetherness, and celebration at its heart, the night offered a full immersion into the heritage of Saint Kentigern.
SCAN FOR MORE
Cross Country Champions Crowned
The annual College Cross Country returned in fine form in Week 1, with over 1,860 students lining up for the 3km course across the College grounds. A crisp, clear day set the scene, and although the track was soft underfoot in places, it only added to the classic cross-country challenge.
This year marked the event’s reinstatement as a compulsory event, and the increase in numbers brought a renewed sense of energy and competition. Every runner earned points towards their House total, with the final results as follows:
1st: Cargill
2nd: Wilson
3rd: Stark
4th: Chalmers
5th: Wishart
6th: Hamilton
Well done to all who competed, and congratulations to the top three placegetters in each age group. With two wins in as many years, Cargill will be the House to watch in 2026. The top ten from each age group will go on to
represent Saint Kentigern at the regional championships later this term.
INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS:
YEAR 7 GIRLS
1st: Sofia Clayton
2nd: Ching Kwok
3rd: Emily Ball
YEAR 7 BOYS
1st: Matthew Horwood
2nd: Flynn Schultz
3rd: Mason Wood
YEAR 8 GIRLS
1st: Lucy Castles
2nd: Yiran Liao
3rd: Juliet Queale
YEAR 8 BOYS
1st: Dylan Tan
2nd: Israel Pearce
3rd: Elijah Lee
JUNIOR GIRLS
1st: Farrah Palmer
2nd: Zofia Wells
3rd: Milana Dean
JUNIOR BOYS
1st: Ben Lee
2nd: Benjamin Brebner
3rd: Luke Staples
INTERMEDIATE GIRLS
1st: Morgan Day
2nd: Sophie Archer
3rd: Madeleine Du Toit
INTERMEDIATE BOYS
1st: Angus Knight
2nd: Dylan Davies
3rd: Leith Harris
SENIOR GIRLS
1st: Neve McKenzie
2nd: Lucy Sweetman
3rd: Dorothy Anderson
SENIOR BOYS
1st: Tim Wallace
2nd: Alex Bishop
3rd: Isaac Morris
Sports Highlights
AN OVERVIEW OF SPORTING EVENTS AT THE COLLEGE
Cycling
AUCKLAND TEAM TIME TRIAL
The Auckland Team Time Trial series concluded with finals day at Pukekohe Race Track. Both the Senior Boys and Girls dominated the series, winning every race and taking home the fastest time cups. Our Junior Boys also delivered a strong performance, placing third overall in the series, and second on finals day.
NORTH ISLAND CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Over the first weekend of the holidays, the squad headed to the North Island Championships, determined to defend our Senior and Junior Boys, and Senior Girls, Team Time Trial titles, and to build on last year’s strong Road Race and Criterium results. After a term of hard work, the team’s promising form shone through. The Senior A Boys and Girls opened with dominant Team Time Trial wins, and our riders went on to claim podium finishes in every Road Race and Criterium we contested, often in multiple places. We capped off the weekend by winning both the overall Boys’ and Girls’ school awards.
TEAM TIME TRIAL:
Senior Girls Gold – Neve McKenzie, Dorothy Anderson, Sophie Archer, Holly Bishop, Ava van Rij
Senior Boys Gold – Hunter Dalton, Remi Dalton, Jack Allan, Ben Archer, Alex Bishop
Junior Boys Silver – Dylan Davies, Angus Dickinson, Tom Underdown, Ethan Pepper
At the Cambridge velodrome over the winter holidays, our riders delivered outstanding results.
Hunter Dalton – 1st U20 Omnium (North Island & Nationals Champion); 1st Team Pursuit (North Island and Nationals Champion); 2nd Team Sprint (North Island & Nationals)
Remi Dalton and Jack Allan – 1st Team Pursuit (North Island & Nationals Champion); 2nd Team Sprint (North Island & Nationals)
In an exceptional display, the trio of Hunter, Remi, and Jack retained their Team Pursuit titles, beating full four-rider teams while racing with only three.
Duathlon and Triathlon
The Auckland Duathlon at Pukekohe produced strong results, with Alex Bishop 2nd in the Senior Boys, Neve McKenzie 1st in the Senior Girls, and Ava van Rij 3rd in the Intermediate Girls. Holly Bishop and Morgan Day won the Senior Girls team event, while Madeliene du Toit and Angus Bell took the Intermediate Mixed Team title.
The rescheduled Auckland Triathlon at Point England capped the season on a high. Results as follows:
INDIVIDUAL:
U19 Girls – Neve McKenzie – Gold; Dorothy Anderson – Silver
U19 Boys – Isaac Morris – Silver; Alex Bishop – Bronze
U16 Girls – Sophie Archer – Gold
U16 Boys – Dylan Davies – Silver Junior Girls Open – Lucy Castles – Gold
U19 Girls – Liv Kay, Holly Bishop, Eden Murdoch – Silver
U16 Mixed – Jordan Iosefa, Jack Allan, Morgan Day – Gold
U14 Mixed – Emily Miles, Tom Underdown, Archie Cooper – Gold; Zoey Wilson, Farrah Palmer, Dylan Dalton – Silver Junior Boys Open – Jimmy Ward Slater, Haruaki, Dylan Tan – Bronze
Orienteering
Term 2 Auckland events featured the Relay Champs at Riverhead Forest, Individual Champs at Waiuku Forest, and Rogaine Champs at Muriwai/Woodhill; these all saw our Senior Boys dominate. In the relay, Tim Bacchus, Ben Thorburn, and Blake McKinnon finished 2nd. Blake then won the Senior Boys Individual title by two minutes, and at the Rogaine, Blake secured maximum points for 1st place, with Tim 2nd and Ben 4th.
At the NZSS Orienteering Champs, Blake placed 2nd in the gruelling Long event at Woodhill Forest. In the relay, Tim, Ben, and Blake claimed 2nd, narrowly missing gold to a strong Havelock Boys team.
Rugby 1st XV
Our 1st XV Rugby team had another outstanding campaign in the prestigious 1A competition, marking their third consecutive appearance in the 1A Final at Eden Park.
The season began strongly with a series of successful preseason fixtures, claiming impressive victories over nationally recognised opponents including Hasting Boys’ High School, Sacred Heart College, and Hamilton Boys’ High school. The pre-season was highlighted by securing the Quadrangular Tournament title at Lindisfarne College.
Renowned as one of the most physically demanding schoolboy rugby competitions in the country, the 1A season once again presented unique challenges each week. Finishing second in the round robin, the side advanced to the semi-final where they overcame Sacred Heart College 21-12 in front of a passionate home crowd. That victory secured their place in the 1A Final against Kings College, the top-placed team from the round robin.
The Final at Eden Park drew a crowd over 10,000 supporters from both schools and delivered a spectacle befitting the occasion. In testing wet and windy conditions, our team produced a fierce first half, trailing narrowly 19-21 at the break. However, a fastfinishing King’s side stuck with a flurry of second-half tries, eventually sealing the contest 36-27. Despite falling short at the final hurdle, the 2025 season was one of immense pride, resilience, and achievement for our boys.
Distance Running
The Auckland Cross Country was held at Barry Curtis Park in very wet and windy conditions. In the Intermediate Girls’ category, the 3-person team of Madeleine Du Toit, Morgan Day, and Ava van Rij placed third. The 6-person team, adding Olivia Tan, Eden Moyle, and Mischa McLister, also secured third place. In the Junior Boys’ category, the 6-person team of Ben Lee, Benjamin Brebner, Jed Whittle, Luke Staples, Finn Staples, and Archie Cooper placed third.
At the Auckland Road Race Championships, held the previous day at Bruce Pulman Park, Morgan Day, Madeleine Du Toit, and Olivia Tan were part of the Intermediate Girls’ 3-person team who placed second.
Snow Sports
At the Auckland Snowboard Championships, Carla Wong won the Girls Race and placed 3rd in both the Girls Race Dual and Girls Slopestyle. At the AKSS Ski Champs, our boys placed 3rd overall, with Vincent Petraska 2nd in the Dual Slalom.
Badminton
Eason Lei claimed gold in the Junior Boys Singles at the College Sport Auckland Junior Badminton Championships.
Gym Sports
At the Auckland Gym Sports Championships at Pulman Arena, both Saint Kentigern competitors struck gold. Fletcher Du Toit topped the Men’s A-Grade Trampoline, while Maggie Li claimed first place in Level 8 Rhythmic Gymnastics for overall performance.
Swimming
At the Auckland Individual Swimming Championships, our students secured strong podium finishes:
Junior Boys Relay Team – 2nd (U15 200m Medley Relay), 3rd (U15 200m Freestyle Relay)
Michael Chen – 1st (Boys 14–15 100m Butterfly), 2nd (Boys 14–15 200m Butterfly)
Michael Chen – Gold (U14 200m Butterfly, 100m Butterfly), Silver (50m Butterfly)
Together they also won Gold in the U14 2x50m Freestyle Relay.
Fencing
The Auckland Secondary Schools Sabre Teams Competition saw Saint Kentigern enter three teams, one in each division. Team A won the Division A title, earning selection for the NZSS Championships in August. The team included Dean Yu, Isaac Lau, Emmanuel Zhang, and Mihir Samant.
Earlier in the season at the Auckland Secondary Schools Individual Competition, Dean Yu (Year 11) placed 3rd in Men’s Sabre and Emily Yang (Year 9) won Women’s Épée. In the final round of the Fencing North Secondary Schools competitions, Yu placed 2nd in Men’s Sabre while Yang once again claimed 1st in Women’s Épée.
Yachting
Zofia Wells and Charlotte Handley (Westlake), have been crowned RS Feva World Champions – Girls’ Team after a standout performance at the World Championships in Aix-les-Bains, France. Against a fleet of 168 boats, the pair finished second overall, with highlights including a clean sweep on day two and a bullet in the final series.
Building Momentum in Our Alumni Community
TThomas Steel Dip Bus Alumni Association President
throughout 2024 and into 2025 and beyond. Your dedication plays a vital role in building a vibrant and connected alumni community.
he past few months have shown real momentum across our alumni community. From a wellattended AGM at the Boys’ School to a strong turnout at our Biennial Dinner and the Rugby After-Match Functions, it has been encouraging to see alumni from across a wide range of year groups stepping in, reconnecting, and bringing others with them. Thank you to everyone who joined us.
Following the AGM, I’m pleased to confirm the re-election of Matthew Jones as Vice President, Daniel Quigley as Treasurer, and Laura Porteous as Secretary and offer sincere appreciation to our Executive Committee; as well as Past Presidents Andrew Morgan and Hayden Butler, and our Alumni Patron, Nigel Toy, for their ongoing involvement across alumni and College life (photo below: Nigel with the Girls’ Rowing team with the boat named in his honour).
I want to acknowledge the entire SKA Committee for their ongoing support
On behalf of myself and the SKA Committee, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest committee members: Andrew Hay, Oliver Kent, and Javier Raos. We’re delighted to have you on board and look forward to your contributions and enthusiasm in the year ahead.
LOOKING AHEAD:
LET’S KEEP THE PACE
With the second half of the year ahead, we will keep this momentum going as we gather, connect and celebrate; with two year-group Reunions, our Annual Golf Day, and the exciting reinstatement of our Recent Alumni and Sydney-based Reunions. We would also welcome contact from London-based alumni who can work with us to bring this group together - please email alumni@ saintkentigern.com.
We also look forward to supporting graduation events across our campuses, celebrating students progressing to College and those starting their next chapter beyond the College.
We especially encourage our younger alumni to stay involved. If you have recently graduated, staying connected keeps you close to our global Saint Kentigern community.
It is not only the official events that keep our alumni family strong. We are just as encouraged by informal connections such as coffee catch-ups and cross-year meet-ups, and by alumni who share their milestones, achievements and stories with us.
I hope to see you at one of our upcoming events. If you're able to support or get involved in any way, don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to one of our committee members, or email us.
Please keep your contact details up to date so you continue to receive invitations and news. Please keep your contact details up to date so you continue to receive invitations and news.
Or email us at alumni@saintkentigern.com
Fides Servanda Est.
Backing the Blue and White
The after-match function on 2 August drew a strong turnout of alumni, making it one of the largest alumni gatherings this year. Held at the Jack Paine Centre, following a tightly contested 1st XV clash against Sacred Heart, the event was a clear show of support from our community for the College’s 1st XV team.
Blue-and-white alumni flags marked the way and the venue quickly filled with guests. Thomas Steel welcomed guests, and Mark Macky spoke briefly about the long-standing support behind Saint Kentigern rugby, and the valued role alumni continue to play in making this kind of support possible, now and into the future. The atmosphere was a
Ihighlight of the afternoon, with generations coming together to reconnect and rally behind the team. Many stories of rugby playing days gone by, and past matches etched in memories, were shared.
That first clash ended in a nail-biting draw, bringing the teams back together the following weekend for a decisive semi-final. Alumni turned out in force once more, and the 1st XV earned their place in the final at Eden Park, where they played against King's College, in front of a sea of blue (see page 76).
The game brings us together, but it’s the community behind Saint Kentigern that makes it unforgettable.
In Memoriam
t is with sadness that we record the passing of the following members of the Saint Kentigern Alumni community. We express our condolences to their families.
If you know of the passing of any of our Alumni, please let us know at alumni@saintkentigern.com
LEWISHAM, Warwick
FRANCIS, John
HUGHES, Brian
LAWRENCE, John
SHOTTER, Malcom
SUTHERLAND, Paul
SKBS #18, SKC #1035 12/07/2025
SKC #844 03/07/2025
SKBS #686, SKC #2100 07/04/2024
SKC #202 25/03/2024
SKC #411 22/06/2025
SKC #620 19/02/2025
An Evening of Fellowship and Celebration
The Alumni Dinner remains one of the most anticipated events on the alumni calendar. On 25 July, the Northern Club offered a fitting backdrop for an evening of shared stories, celebration and connection, and a reminder of the unique sense of belonging and pride that comes with being part of this community. It also marked the first major gathering of alumni since the Wilson Bay Farm announcement, which naturally shaped much of the evening’s conversation.
Bringing together alumni across generations, the evening reaffirmed the friendships, experiences, and shared values that have shaped Saint Kentigern. A lone piper from our Alumni Pipe Band led guests in, offering a poignant tribute to our heritage. The presence of both past and present leaders reflected the strength of our community and an ongoing commitment that continues to guide Saint Kentigern forward.
Liam Sceats, a recent graduate now navigating the world of international motorsport, offered a glimpse into his journey from afar. His message, grounded in humility and quiet determination, reflected the early chapters of a career still unfolding.
The fireside conversation that followed carried this tone through the evening. Hosted by journalist and Newstalk ZB voice Andrew Alderson (see page 82), the exchange with Jake Bartrom (see page 85), a second-generation mussel farmer from the Coromandel, brought authenticity and insight to the evening. Jake spoke of learning about the sea by watching his father, reflected on sustainable aquaculture, community, and his deep connection to place. His story, grounded in lived experience, added to the evening’s conversations and touched on learning through doing, staying connected to land and people, and contributing in practical ways.
With a focus on progress and purpose, Trust Board Chair Mark Conelly shared the latest progress on Wilson Bay Farm. His update connected strategy with story, placing the development within the broader context of Saint Kentigern’s long-term purpose.
Drawing on his deep connection to Saint Kentigern, Alumni Patron and former Headmaster, Nigel Toy, brought the formal proceedings to a close with a message that spoke to the strength of a values-led community, and the legacy shaped by those who invest their "time, talent and treasure".
The evening carried on with conversation, camaraderie, and fond reminiscence. Connections were strengthened, stories exchanged, and a sense of belonging reaffirmed – a fitting close to an evening that celebrated both where we’ve come from and the path ahead.
Andrew Alderson
FROM SCHOOL PITCH TO SPORTS MIC
Andrew Alderson’s voice is a familiar one on ‘The Mike Hosking Breakfast’, where his sports bulletins bring insight to the headlines. As a long-time journalist for Newstalk ZB, The New Zealand Herald, and the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, Andrew has covered many major sporting events, including five Cricket World Cups, three Commonwealth Games, and three Olympics, which have earned him industry awards.
Andrew’s path into journalism wasn’t linear: after studying politics, Andrew found his way into media through a volunteer role at Radio Sport in 2002, showing up night after night for the late shift.
“You’ve got to seize your opportunities when they come up,” he says. His love for sport, especially cricket, took root back in his days at the College under his first coach, Kevin Morris. Cricket remains Andrew’s passion and the thread running through his career. He recalls covering Kane Williamson’s maiden first-class century at Eden Park Outer Oval in 2009: “You knew that was the beginning of something special,” he says. "It’s moments like that, watching talent and character emerge, that make the job rewarding." From Kane’s quiet focus to Hamish Bond and Eric Murray’s Olympic grit, it’s the human stories behind the scores that Andrew loves to tell.
Andrew is quick to say his journey wasn’t shaped by one moment, but by a mix of opportunities and people who supported him along the way. His parents made it possible to attend Saint Kentigern, where teachers like Richard Park taught him to question the ‘why’, and his friends, who he still meets up with for regular nostalgic dinners, grounded him. His advice to his younger self? “Don’t put any limit on your ambition.”
When he’s not chasing stories or calling games, Andrew’s at the family farm, where life slows down. Whether it’s fixing fences with his wife, or teaching the kids how to handle the tractor, it’s the time together he values most and serves as a reminder of what really matters: staying connected to the kind of community and values he grew up with.
Barrie Keenan
A LIFE OF MINISTRY THROUGH PEOPLE AND WORK
IIt was the early days at Saint Kentigern and for Barrie Keenan, student number 140, who joined in the College’s second year, it marked the beginning of a lifetime shaped by people, purpose, and service.
Barrie’s time at Saint Kentigern was formative: Adam MacFarlan, the first Headmaster and a Presbyterian minister, left a lasting impression that helped guide Barrie towards a path in ministry.
Ordained in 1967, and the first Saint Kentigern student to be so, Barrie began his ministry in the rural parish of Taumarunui. But a serious health episode in 1969 made continuing ministry in that parish unsustainable. “The only thing that is constant is change,” Barrie reflects, and rather than a setback, it became a redirection. What followed was a life of ministry carried out in new and meaningful ways.
The first Saint Kentigern to graduate with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Massey University, Barrie started as a Scientific Liaison Officer at the Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre near Hamilton, translating complex research findings into practical outcomes for New Zealand farmers.
His role evolved, and in 1979 he was appointed Assistant Director of the Agricultural Research Division, relocating to Wellington to oversee the wellbeing, training, and performance of more than 1,700 personnel. He introduced structured recruitment and professional development programmes, and played a key role in guiding the division through major reforms – including the introduction of computer systems, public sector restructuring in the 1980s, and developing the systems to enable the transition to performancebased employment contracts following legislative changes in the early 1990s.
Among his most significant contributions was the development of a pioneering national digital system that tracked research projects, the staff involved in them, funding, and outputs. It helped measure the value of scientific work to farmers and communities, while supporting staff development. His leadership catalysed a shift in agricultural research in New Zealand, merging purpose, data, and people into a system that boosted coordination, accountability, and long-term impact across the primary industries.
After concluding his career with the Agricultural Research Division in 1992, Barrie established Keenan Consulting, a move that extended his impact globally, from Turkey and Colombia to the United States, helping research institutions modernise, collaborate across cultures, and empower their teams. These experiences deepened his belief in the power of diversity and lifelong learning. “The most important things are not technical,” he notes, “the things we can always improve are critical thinking, communication, and collaboration.”
Throughout his life, Barrie remained active in the Presbyterian Church, contributing to national strategy on lay ministry and serving on committees and boards, including a decade on the Board of Scots College. He also officiated weddings, often in non-traditional settings, reflecting his view of ministry as relational and grounded in community.
Eventually, Barrie was recognised as New Zealand’s first Honorary Associate Minister, a role created to acknowledge ministers serving beyond traditional parish settings.
Barrie’s leadership remained pastoral, rooted in his belief that ministry is about connecting with people – their stories, their potential, and their capacity to grow. “Saint Kentigern helped lay those foundations,” he says. “It instilled in me a sense of duty, faith, and quiet leadership.”
He and his wife Jenn, a lifelong educator and community leader, raised four children, who in their own way have gone on to contribute to the fields of medicine, engineering, teaching, politics, and environmental science.
Barrie’s memories of College life remain vivid, especially those early cross-country runs: “We ran through old paddocks, dodging cow ruts, and eventually finished with one of my mates saying, ‘Is the race still on, sir?’ to our teacher” he laughs. “I never was a good runner. But I suppose I kept going.” And in doing so, he helped lay tracks for others to follow.
Reach Out and Reconnect
From reunions on campus to meet-ups around the country and overseas, there are many ways to stay connected with the Saint Kentigern Alumni community.
Whether it’s joining us at an event, reconnecting with your classmates, contributing to our archives, or telling us your story, don't hesitate to get in touch.
Scan the QR code to visit our Upcoming Events page, or email Hayley Emery, Alumni Relations Coordinator, on alumni@saintkentigern.com - we’d love to hear from you!
SCAN FOR MORE
Jake Bartrom
GRIT, GROWTH, AND GREENSHELLS
After years navigating the high-pressure world of oil and gas across Southeast Asia, Dubai, and West Africa, Jake Bartrom returned to New Zealand seeking something more grounded. What he had been searching for was waiting for him in the waters of the Hauraki Gulf, where his family has been farming mussels for over 45 years.
Jake’s father was among the pioneers who helped establish the mussel farming industry in the North Island, turning a parttime marine biology passion project into a full-time operation. Growing up immersed in the business, Jake absorbed the rhythms of the sea, the challenges of seasonal cycles, and the grit it takes to sustain and grow a family enterprise.
Now at the helm of day-to-day operations, Jake continues that legacy, combining hands-on knowledge passed down through generations with a commitment to innovation and sustainability. The result is a sophisticated marine farming operation, producing one of the most sustainable and efficient forms of protein on the planet.
New Zealand’s mussel industry plays a vital role in the aquaculture sector. Alongside oysters and salmon, aquaculture supports thousands of jobs and contributes significantly to the national economy. Mussels also benefit marine ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity and improving water quality through their natural filtration.
Jake speaks of the satisfaction in seeing a dropper full of mussels brought up in pristine condition after eighteen months of care, culminating in a harvest that reaches Kiwi supermarkets the same day, and global restaurants soon after. “We live here, fish here, and dive here. It’s not just a place of work,” he says, “it’s part of our life.”
That appreciation for structure, rhythm, and belonging echoes back to Jake’s time at Saint Kentigern, where he boarded at Bruce House. Looking back, he can see how foundational those years were: the routines, responsibilities, and relationships formed during that time continue to shape how Jake navigates life and work.
He fondly recalls evenings playing touch rugby with boarders from every year level – Form Ones running alongside First XV stars; “You belonged, no matter your size. It created a kind of brotherhood.”
He also values the structure boarding provided: “The set routines, like study hours, taught us discipline. There was no space for procrastination and it gave us a rhythm that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. You learn to navigate personalities, respect seniority, and understand that it’s not all about you. Those are increasingly rare skills.”
Jake’s advice to current students is refreshingly honest: “Don’t wait until everything’s perfect. Whether it’s travel, starting a family, or launching something new, you’ll never feel fully ready. But you learn by doing, and sometimes, doing hard things is what makes it all worthwhile.”
Now a father of two, Jake’s ongoing connection with Saint Kentigern is about more than nostalgia, it’s about modelling that relationship for his children: “When I was at school, I didn’t realise it was a lifelong connection. I want my kids to see that.”
With Wilson Bay just down the road, Jake is inspired by the project’s potential and the direction Saint Kentigern is taking. As someone deeply invested in the region and the primary industries that support it, he sees the initiative as a meaningful opportunity to contribute to something significant, right in his own backyard.
From revolutionising the laptop market in 1985 with the groundbreaking T1100 to creating today’s AI-integrated business solutions, we’ve been at the forefront of mobile computing innovation for almost 40 years.
In today’s evolving digital workplace, our Windows 11 Pro devices combine enterprise-grade security with breakthrough performance to help businesses stay ahead in a rapidly changing world.
