Our College is co-education at its finest. An incredible campus where children develop self-awareness, resilience, and become responsible young adults who understand the value of lifelong learning against the backdrop of a global perspective.
Welcome to the Saint Kentigern family and our collective journey of growth and exploration. In 2023, I was honoured to join a history of charismatic leaders as Principal of the College.
Starting as an educator at Auckland Boys Grammar School, I moved to Australia and began two decades of educational leadership at the Brisbane Grammar School, Brisbane Boys' College and Wesley College, Melbourne. Those roles gave me the platform to return home and engage with the faith-based values of Saint Kentigern, which I love.
Our College embraces the modern techniques of today's education, balanced with yesterday's tried and true teaching methods. Our commitment to this approach, combined with the values of the Presbyterian faith, our pastoral care programme and the capability of our educators, enables us to offer a unique and powerful educational programme, that inspires students to reach their full potential.
We are dedicated to educational excellence - through a constant journey of learning, exploration, innovation and holistic development.
We are creating a future where opportunities abound. As an educator, an employer, and a partner, the future is bright.
Fides Servanda Est.
Damon Emtage
Principal, Saint Kentigern College
BEd, MEd
Our Team
Our educators and administrators are all dedicated experts chosen for the knowledge and passion they have for their respective fields. College Senior Managers, Heads of Department, and Heads of House are all committed to excellence and motivating our students to unlock their fullest potential. Our professional development programme ensures our people stay at the forefront of their field, delivering an educational product that is effective, captivating and second to none in New Zealand.
Senior Leadership Team
Damon Emtage
BEd, MEd
Damon Emtage
College PrincipalBEd, MEd
In 2023, Damon joined the College as Principal. With a stellar record in educational leadership and a deep understanding of faith-based independent education, his approach includes humility, compassion, and a commitment to collaboration.
Hailing from Auckland, Damon began his career at Auckland Grammar, then spent 22 years in Australia at Brisbane Grammar School and Wesley College Melbourne. From 2005 to 2009, Damon took a break from education to work as an assistant coach for a high-performance sports team.
Damon also served as Deputy Headmaster at Brisbane Boys' College, a Presbyterian and Methodist School, and as Acting Headmaster during a transition period in 2021.
Duncan McQueen
MSc(Hons), MEd Admin (Hons), Dip Tchg
Duncan McQueen
Associate PrincipalMSc(Hons), MEd Admin (Hons), Dip Tchg
Mr Paul Bennett
BPE
Mr Paul Bennett
Deputy Principal, AcademicBPE
Hannah Williams
MEdL (Hons), PGCE (Hons), BSci Biomedical Physics (Hons), MSci (Hons)
Hannah Williams
Deputy Principal, PedagogyMEdL (Hons), PGCE (Hons), BSci Biomedical Physics (Hons), MSci (Hons)
Pat Baird
HDE (Sci),BEd, PG Dip Ed (Dist), MEd
Pat Baird
Deputy Principal, Learning and TeachingHDE (Sci),BEd, PG Dip Ed (Dist), MEd
Natalie Burridge
BA, Grad DipTchg, PG Dip Ed Mgmt
Natalie Burridge
Deputy Principal Academic OperationsBA, Grad DipTchg, PG Dip Ed Mgmt
Eric Wall
MSSL, DipTchg, BBS
Eric Wall
Deputy Principal Pastoral Care, Senior SchoolMSSL, DipTchg, BBS
Carl Lidstone
BEd, DipTchg, Microsoft Educator Expert
Carl Lidstone
Deputy Principal Pastoral Care, Middle SchoolBEd, DipTchg, Microsoft Educator Expert
Mark Thomas
BLS, GradDipTchg(S)
Mark Thomas
Deputy Principal Physical and Creative LearningBLS, GradDipTchg(S)
Kate Offord
(BA)
Kate Offord
Campus Operations Manager(BA)
Heads of Faculty
| Name | Qualifications | Faculty | Subjects |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Brian Peel
|
BA(Hons), PGCE, PGCertAppPrac
|
Commerce
|
Accounting, Economics, Business, Financial Literacy
|
|
Rodney Stratton
|
BVA, GradDipTchng
|
Creative Arts
|
Dance, Drama, Music, Visual Arts (Design, Painting, Photography, Printmaking and Sculpture)
|
|
JoAnn Wordsworth
|
BA, BPhed PGEdStudies Grad Dip Tchg (S)
|
English
|
English, Media Studies
|
|
Merryn Ward
|
BA (Hons) and GradDipSecTchg
|
Humanities
|
Geography, History, Social Studies, Classics Studies, Christian Education, Travel and Tourism, Theory of Knowledge
|
|
James Palmer
|
BA;GradDipTchg(S)
|
Languages
|
Te Reo, French, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Latin
|
|
Kerryn Dawson
|
NDBusComp, Bed, DipTchg, MEd
|
Physical Education
|
Physical Education, Health
|
|
Joeseph Dunleavy
|
BA(Hons), PGCE, PGCertAppPrac
|
Technology
|
Head of Technology
|
|
Aase Diegel
|
|
Science
|
Head of Science Faculty
|
|
Sarah Vincent
|
|
Maths
|
Head of Mathematics Faculty
|
|
|
|
|
|
International Baccalaureate
| Name | Qualifications | Faculty | Subjects |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dave O’Brien
|
BA, BA (Hons), MA (Hons), GradDipSecTchg
|
IBDP
|
CAS, Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge
|
Other Responsibilities
| Name | Role | Faculty |
|---|---|---|
|
Dave O’Brien
|
IBDP
|
CAS, Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge
|
Pastoral Care
Heads of Houses
International Students
| Name | Role | Qualifications |
|---|---|---|
|
Edmund Aldiss
|
Head of International Students
|
MPhil
|
Enhanced Learning
| Name | Role | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
|
Mrs Catherine Watts
|
Head of Enhanced Learning Senior School
|
BA, Grad DipTchg (Sec) PGCert SpTchg (G&T)
|
Health Centre
| Name | Role | Qualifications |
|---|---|---|
|
Suzanne Dawson
|
Health Centre Nurse
|
Registered Nurse
|
ERO Report
We are proud to receive positive feedback from the regular ERO (Education Review Office) reports. These reports consistently reinforce the exceptional quality of our programmes, the strong rapport shared between our dedicated staff and students, and the high morale and sense of wellbeing that permeates each of our campuses. It's a testament to our commitment to excellence in education and nurturing a positive and thriving environment.
Choose to believe
