In May 2009, the Saint Kentigern Trust Board merged with the Trust Board of the former Corran School.
Saint Kentigern assumed the responsibility for staffing and operations of the school that became known as Saint Kentigern School for Girls – Corran at the start of 2010. Whilst Corran School was formerly a school for girls in Year 1-13, the new structure retained only primary education for girls in Year 0-8.
Both organisations had similar backgrounds and traditions and since the school formerly known as Corran joined the Saint Kentigern community, these traditions have become entwined and strengthened.
Mrs Sandra Hastie was appointed as the first Saint Kentigern Principal of the newly renamed school. With the change of Principal at Saint Kentigern Boys’ School in 2012, the Board also announced a change in leadership structure with Mrs Hastie, being appointed as Head of Primary to provide strategic leadership for both primary campuses.
As part of the ‘Saint Kentigern - One Organisation’ review in 2012, Saint Kentigern School for Girls – Corran was renamed Saint Kentigern Girls’ School.
After three and half years developing and growing the role of Saint Kentigern Girls’ School, Mrs Hastie resigned in 2015 to take up opportunities overseas with Deputy Principal, Mrs Judith Dobson taking on the role of Acting Principal for the remainder of that year. Ms Juliet Small was appointed to the role of Principal of the Girls’ School from the beginning of 2016.
With 12 years’ experience as a principal of primary schools in Auckland, Ms Small was selected for her personal and professional qualities, and leadership expertise. For the previous eight years she had been Principal of Sunnyhills School with the four years prior to that as Principal of Oranga School. She had clearly demonstrated the ability to create a school vision and be an effective leader.
In 2022, Saint Kentigern Girls’ School started a new chapter in its history with its monumental move to a brand-new, purposefully built school on Shore Road.
Mrs Marianne Duston joined the Girls’ School as Principal in January 2024. With a wealth of experience, a strong faith, and a passion for exceptional education, her career has seen her lead innovation within several leading independent schools in New Zealand and Australia.
Marianne comes to us from Ravenswood School for Girls, Sydney, where she headed up Teaching and Learning Excellence. Her extensive senior leadership experience also includes Deputy Principal positions at Queen Margaret College, Wellington, and Saint Kentigern College. Marianne is passionate about the research that informs exceptional teaching and learning. She has completed a masters in school leadership, which was awarded with Distinction.
The History of the Former Corran School
Corran School began in 1947 as a Private Kindergarten for boys and girls in the home of the school's founder, Mrs Victoria Constance Duthie, at 13 Wairua Rd, Remuera. The kindergarten then moved to rooms behind the Remuera Library, and as it grew further, moved to the home of Mrs Duthie at 15 Orakei Road, Remuera.
Such were the high standards attained by Mrs Duthie, that she was persuaded in 1952 to increase the scope of her school and establish a Primary School which was officially registered on 28 July 1952. A Trust Board, comprising Mr P Hanna, Mr S.K.Burcher, Sir William Goodfellow, Mr J.R.Cropper and Mr G. Pollard (parents who wanted their daughters to further their education at Corran) was established in 1954.
The philosophy established by Mrs Duthie remained long after her retirement in 1960. She wanted the school to remain small, caring and Christian, with an emphasis on academic and cultural excellence. In this, we see many parallels with the focus of the Saint Kentigern Trust Board to establish schools of excellence with a Christian family environment.
