Celebrating Seventy Years of Saint Kentigern College

Friday, 3rd February 2023 marked a significant milestone for the College. Seventy years ago, on the same soil hundreds of students walk over today, 93 students and four staff had their first day at Saint Kentigern College.

Coming from humble beginnings, the school was mostly farmland bordering the Tamaki Estuary. The land was given to the Saint Kentigern Trust, who dreamt of starting a school on their strong foundation of faith. With a few staff and students to begin, that dream was realised, and all foundation patrons gathered in front of the still-standing foundation building in what is now Elliot Quad (see black and white photo).

To commemorate such an incredible seventy years of development into one of New Zealand’s top independent schools, several key members of the College for 2023 gathered in front of the same foundation building. Among the group were the current prefects for 2023, Executive Trustee Mr Kevin Morris, College Principal Mr Damon Emtage, and Deputy Principal Mr Eric Wall (see coloured photo).

The celebrations continued into the following week, culminating in a school assembly where Mr Emtage gave a brief history of the school and led the students and staff in singing "Happy Birthday" before cutting the 70th anniversary cake with the Head Girl Kaia Ashmore.

Seventy years on, the school is more committed than ever to continuing its reputation for excellence in its academic, sporting and cultural programmes. With growth to more than 2300 students from Year 7 to Year 13, both girls and boys in attendance, and a teaching and administration staff of more than 300, we are confident the College will continue the well-worn path of success our predecessors have walked. Thank you to all who have been on the journey with us.