A Pivotal Year
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w COLLEGE A Pivotal Year 020 has been a pivotal year for Saint Kentigern College, driven by now working across all our schools to refine this list and unpack the 2two key areas – a new Senior Leadership Team, including myself, detail. and the learning we have embraced as a result of the challenges of lockdowns. If we pause and reflect on those two aspects, and consider in relationship to the journey of the school over recent years, We will be increasing the opportunities for students to improve then I hope you will be in agreement when I say how proud I am of themselves – and for them to take responsibility for their own learning what you all have achieved this year - students, teachers, parents and CV. In 2021 the following Academies will commence: Board alike. • AUT Academy of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Room 8 is an English room just up the stairs from the Elliot Hall • Whitecliffe Academy of Fashion and Textiles entrance. On the outside wall next to the door is written a quote. • Ardmore Flying Academy There are quotes and sayings all through this corridor but this one • Scholars’ Academies jumped out at me the first time I wandered through the school: ‘Be • Drama Academy not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid of standing still.’ • Music Academy • Dance Academy Nothing could better describe our position at this time. We are a proud • Construction Academy school, building a fine tradition. We have weathered storms which serve • Hospitality Academy to make us stronger. 2020 has been a reset year for us and, as inferred in that quote, we now face the excitement of continuing our journey. A further aspect of Future Me is the creation of Student Futures in Things will not necessarily stay the same as before – they cannot the Goodfellow Centre under the leadership of Hannah Williams. I because we are in different times. But this should not cause us to worry. know that many students have utilised their services this year, and What is important is that we understand what we do and why we do it. judging by the lovely emails and comments I have received, their What it is that is special about Saint Kentigern? We take the best of our work is being valued. Increasingly, their presence will be across all we past and combine it with the excitement of the future, and slowly and do – from checking that our courses provide appropriate pathways, to steadily we move forward. encouraging, or should I say expecting, that all students are involved in co-curricular, and not just in one area. As we move forward, we will increasingly focus on setting our students up for successful futures. What students So successful has their work been this year that later on we will be need are pathways into their future, doors to acknowledging an outstanding $705,000 of University Scholarships be opened, skill sets and character to enable to New Zealand and International Universities. 53 scholarships to 46 success, and courses in school which lead to students. We still have some scholarship results to come, such as a pathway. We are calling this Future Me those from the northern hemisphere universities and private firms. and it will be the key theme for our school Lastly one of our students is through to the second round for the moving forwards. John Drake Memorial Scholarship. As we work on Future Me, we are This reflects a truly holistic school that values academia at its heart. identifying the features of what we hope our students will all have when they leave As my first year at Saint Kentigern draws to a close, I offer thanks school. They are written so that students to our teachers, coaches and support staff. Time and time again take ownership of them: when I ask students what makes our school special, the reply is their teachers. And seldom can they identify a single favourite. • My Learning • My Skills I pay the final tribute to our students. At my first assembly, I said • My Future Pathway I would reflect back what I saw. I have seen from humour, pride, • My Wellbeing respect, work ethic, leadership, oratory excellence, faith, trust, spirit, • My Wider Interests approachability, sharing, real talk, openness, commitment, courage, • My Character Not 100% by everyone, but by most. We will work together to make this 100%. We are listening to what employers I hope you have felt my desire to be open with you all. To listen and and universities are to explain. To help our school be a place our students can call home. I saying about the look forward to welcoming our students back at the start of 2021 for skills and attributes a bright new future. that students of tomorrow should have, and we are Fides Servanda Est Russell Brooke College Principal college 56 A Journey of Reflection nkempt lawns, cutting back on gardening hours, Presbyterian Ucrop circles...? In the weeks leading up to the completion of grass growth for the annual labyrinth, there is always much speculation from passers- by as to what is taking shape on the Chapel lawn, but as the grass continues to slowly grow and the winding pathway begins to take a clear pattern, curiosity gradually becomes understanding. Originating in Egypt and Greece, a labyrinth is an ancient symbol that was appropriated by the early Church and used to represent At each station, students are encouraged to pause and consider pilgrimages or journeying. Today, labyrinths are used for walking a questions such as ‘Have you found joy in your life?’ and ‘Has your life journey of thought, meditation and reflection on life. brought joy to others?’ Alternatively, it might be that they wish to The College labyrinth was conceived some years ago to serve as focus on something in particular as they walk – and then ‘leave’ that a conclusion to the Year 12 Christian Education programme. The issue ‘behind’ at each stone. students first watch the movie ‘The Ultimate Gift’, which explores This year, more than ever, we used the labyrinth to reflect and give issues around the important ‘gifts in life’ that we might experience. thanks, thanks that we are in a safe and kind country during these As the students then walk the carefully mown paths of the labyrinth, challenging times. they discover stones that prompt a moment of reflection to think quietly about: The gift of work, the gift of money, the gift of learning, Our main aim was to encourage the students to consider questions the gift of problems, the gift of family, the gift of joy, the gift of such as ‘Have you found joy in your life?’ and ‘Has your life brought giving, the gift of gratitude, the gift of a dream, the gift of time and joy to others?’ the gift of love. $123,251 Raised for World Vision uring the 40 Hour Famine this year, Saint Kentigern College students raised a Dsubstantial amount for World Vision. At the time of handing over the cheque, it amounted to $117,301 but over the next few days, as the last of the pledges were collected, that rose to $123,251. This was a fantastic achievement by our students, being $13,543 greater than last year. Particularly pleasing was that more than 180 students raised over $500. Well done to our top fundraising student, Mia Denholm (Year 8) who raised $4,090, Year 13 student, Lulu Denholm who raised $3,285, Year 7 student, Yana Wong, who raised $2,690 and Year 7 student, Chloe Zheng who raised $2,561. All three Saint Kentigern schools have had a long-standing relationship with World Vision and have collectively been one of the top fundraising schools in the country for many years. Well done to all those who participated. This year, all funds raised will go towards supporting communities in Vanuatu. college 57 College Prizegiving 2020 NCEA Dux Medallist Joseph Chan n a change of format for Prizegiving this year, the College gathered as Ione, with both the Middle School and Senior School students, and their Joseph is a naturally gifted scholar families, coming together in celebration to acknowledge the Academic who has achieved significant Achievements of our students from Year 7 to Year 13. The change of academic success during his format also required a change of venue to accommodate such a large time at the College. In 2017, as a gathering, and so for the first time, the College Prizegiving was held at the Year 10 student, he received an Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau, allowing plenty of room for all who Excellence endorsement in Level wished to attend. 1 Science. In 2018, Joseph gained an overall Level 1 endorsement Academic success is a proudly acknowledged at the College and the with Excellence and subject Prizegiving was a fitting celebration to end a most unusual year. As well Excellence endorsements in: as our top academic achievers, the Prizegiving also acknowledged our Latin, Accounting, Mathematics, accomplished debaters, actors, dancers and musicians and those who have English, Biology, Chemistry given well beyond expectation to serve others. At all levels, the students and Physics. Following on from his success in Year 11, Joseph have reflected our mission to inspire excellence and our vision to serve. received an overall Excellence endorsement In Level 2 with In his address, College Principal, Mr Russell Brooke said that 2020 had Excellence subject endorsements in: Statistics, Accounting, been a pivotal year for the College, driven by a new Senior Leadership English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. In 2019, Joseph was Team, including his own appointment, and the learning we have embraced also awarded an Outstanding Scholarship in NCEA Physics.