These are exciting days in the life of Saint Kentigern as we welcome Mr Russell Brooke, the new Principal of Saint Kentigern College, to our community. Mr Brooke is the seventh Principal to lead the College since its opening in 1953.

Year 12 student, Cameron Dean, had the honour of piping Mr Brooke, along with the Chairman of the Trust Board, Dr John Kernohan and Head of Saint Kentigern, Mr David Hodge to the Sports Centre, where the students and staff waited to greet him.

Matua Nelson led staff and students in a haka before staff member, Mr Jono Batchelar delivered the Whaikorero, a speech of welcome.

Chapel Prefect, Simran Chand opened the assembly with a Bible reading from Romans Chapter 12, where Paul speaks of gifts and abilities. Simran concluded saying, ‘We look forward to the gift of leadership and wisdom that Mr Brooke will bring to our College.’

Head of Saint Kentigern, Mr David Hodge introduced Mr Brooke saying, ‘In welcoming Mr Brooke, we welcome a person with extensive educational leadership experience in a wide range of settings. Mr Brooke has taught and led in single sex schools, in co-educational schools, in a Faith based school, in state schools and in an Independent school. Mr Brooke we are delighted that you have chosen Saint Kentigern as the place where you want to be. We are honoured that you so believed in us, that you join us here.’

Mr Hodge continued saying, ‘May I introduce to you the students of Saint Kentigern College. They are a wonderful, diverse group of young people. They are open and generous. They are kind and intelligent. I know you will enjoy getting to know them. Please do not hesitate to ask them for advice and guidance – they will freely give it. I know you will enjoy seeing their dedication to learning and their enthusiasm and perseverance in the classroom. You will, I know be impressed with their endeavour on the sports field and the talents they bring to the stage. Mr Brooke, you will find this College to be a wonderful place.’

In his first address to the College, Mr Brooke spoke to the students with warmth, thanking them for their welcome.  He said that, ‘The formality of a Maori welcome provides a lovely structure for introduction. Where we come from is important. Our community and who we are connected to through time is important. What we do and believe is important. These things validate our character, speak to who we are as a person and they speak to our community who support and care for us.’

‘Being at Saint Kentigern carries a responsibility - to contribute and serve to that community to which we are proud to belong. I am here to serve the Saint Kentigern community. In that spirit, I now join you in taking responsibility for ensuring that every one of us, every Old Collegian, and every future student and staff member, will say with pride in their mihi – I am a Saint Kentigern person. And we will stand tall.’

‘Thank you for taking the time to assemble to welcome me today.  You have demonstrated the utmost respect and it is impressive and it is humbling. I will endeavour to serve you well throughout my time here at Saint Kentigern College.’

Representing the student body, Head Prefects, Will Bason and Lulu Denholm came forward to speak, saying, ‘Welcome Mr Brooke to the Saint Kentigern family, we are so excited to have you join us!

You have taught at a variety of different schools across Auckland, but I think you will find Saint Kentigern is quite different from any other school in the country. What makes us so unique is our distinct and very strong school culture. We are a proudly Presbyterian College with our roots deeply founded in strong Christian values ,and we respect and celebrate an amazingly diverse range of students from all walks of life.’

‘We welcome you to come into the classroom to see our academic success and give us advice on how to get better. You are welcome to join us on our service trips to local schools. We invite you to sit in the front row in our productions and the side-lines of our sporting matches - come in your blue and white, cheering for our teams! And we encourage you to come share a coffee with the Year 13’s in the common room or join the Year 7s at Kent’s Café.  At Saint Kentigern, we stand together, so come stand with us – we welcome you to our family!

To conclude the assembly, the Premier Choir, Kentoris sang ‘Pokarekare ana’ prior to Reverend David Smith closing in prayer.

Mr Brooke, as a community, we say welcome to you and your family, and we look forward to your contribution to Saint Kentigern!

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