Saint Kentigern Leadership Team

Dr Kevin Morris
Executive Trustee

Kevin is the Executive Trustee, responsible for leading Saint Kentigern’s four schools and has been on the Trust Board since 2018. He is an Old Collegian and a parent at the College. He was Head Prefect at the College in 1985, studied at the University of Otago and began his career in independent schools in England and New Zealand. He worked for corporations and universities in Boston and New York for many years and completed a doctorate in education from Boston University. He returned to New Zealand in 2003 was the Director of Learning and Teaching in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor at The University of Auckland from 2013-2021.

Peter Cassie
Boys' School Principal

B.Ed,TCC

Mr Peter Cassie has been Principal of the Boys’ School since Term 4, 2012 and has provided outstanding leadership, with a strong vision for the future of the school.

Mr Cassie has considerable experience in the education sector with 33 of the last 39 years devoted to independent boys’ education at primary level. He was formerly the Principal of the Scots College Middle School (Years 7-10), and prior to that , Principal of Scots College Preparatory School (Years 1-8) for 10 years. Prior to that, he held varying positions at King’s School, including Dean of the Senior School.

Mr Cassie is passionate about the independent school structure and the opportunities it offers to students, staff, past students and parents. In particular, he cites the importance of a values system being central to teaching. He says that values build standards and nurture relationships among all members of a wider school community; values that are sometimes seen to be lacking in society. He recognises the importance of the Saint Kentigern Way and the tradition of ‘Keeping the Faith.’

Merle Boniface
Chief Operating Officer

Merle is the Chief Operating Officer and Board Secretary for the Trust Board with responsibility for all commercial and support operations across the Saint Kentigern organisation, including Planning, Finance, ICT, Marketing and Communication, Human Resources, Facilities Management, Major Property Projects and Risk Management. She brings significant strategic business and senior leadership experience to the role gained in the Finance, Education and Small Business Development sectors.

Merle has successfully turned around a University Business School, supported large corporates to implement best practise, advised business owners and played a key role in the merger of two banks. She has led large teams through periods of transformation and most recently, worked as Director of Business and Planning at another large independent school, during which time she led the transformation of the Campus with the implementation of a significant Master Plan.

Merle has made a significant contribution to the wider independent education sector holding executive positions as President of ASBA NZ Inc, member of the ISNZ executive and Chairman of ASBA Ltd. Her contribution to the sector was recognised through national awards received in both New Zealand and Australia.

Merle is well qualified for this role with two Business degrees from the University of South Africa, leadership programmes completed at Harvard Business School and Mount Eliza Business School and a Banking qualification. She has also completed the Certificate of Company Direction through the NZ Institute of Directors and the Certificate in Governance and Risk Management through the Governance Institute of Australia / CSA.

Nikki Joyce
Preschool Principal

Mrs Nikki Joyce has been Principal of Saint Kentigern Preschool since April 2020 and in that time has led the Preschool team to work as a collaborative, cohesive team which ensures the best preparation for our children as they move from the Preschool to the Boys’ School and Girls’ School.

Having been involved in the Early Childhood Education industry since 2007, Mrs Joyce opened her first Early Childhood Centre, Bear Park in Herne Bay, which she owned for six years and more recently Pikopiko Learning in Whitford for five years.

Alongside owning and managing her centres, Mrs Joyce takes great interest in educational research and has attended many ECE conferences, including attending conferences twice in Reggio Emilia, Italy, home to the Reggio Emilia inspired philosophy for Early Childhood, centred on the principles of respect, responsibility and community through exploration, discovery and play. In 2018, she travelled to Finland to learn more about their preschools and how their population consistently sits near the top of not only PISA scores, but also happiness and wellbeing scores.

Mrs Joyce understands the importance of Learning for Life, and how, through ongoing collaboration this passion for learning is fostered, in both children and adults. Having the skills to test theories, debate ideas and work with others ensures children have the resilience, social skills and critical thinking needed to thrive in today’s world.

Damon Emtage
College Principal

Mr Damon Emtage joined Saint Kentigern College as Principal in January 2023. Mr Emtage brings an impressive record of educational leadership, deep understanding of faith-based independent education and a commitment to both the values of Saint Kentigern and to leading the College with humility, care, and collaboration. 

A New Zealander, originally from Auckland, Mr Emtage taught at Auckland Grammar School before embarking on a 22-year career in several leading independent schools in Australia, including Brisbane Grammar School and Wesley College Melbourne. Prior to this role, he was Deputy Headmaster at Brisbane Boys’ College, a Presbyterian and Methodist School, where he was also Acting Headmaster during a transition period in 2021. Throughout his career Mr Emtage has led numerous innovative student and staff initiatives in a variety of contexts. Between 2005 and 2009 Mr Emtage took a break from education and was assistant coach for a high-performance sports team.

His family is also looking forward to being part of the Saint Kentigern community. Mr Emtage’s wife, Kathryn, who brings with her considerable experience within the independent school sector in Australia will be taking on a role as an English teacher at the College. Their children, Jonty and Holly, will be joining the College as students.

Juliet Small
Girls' School Principal

Ms Juliet Small has been Principal of Saint Kentigern Girls’ School since 2016 and in that time has strengthened and grown the culture and status of the Girls’ School as an Independent, Presbyterian primary school in Auckland New Zealand, offering a premium education for girls in Years 1-8 (Ages 5 to 12).

Ms Small has a wealth of teaching and school leadership experience. She has taught across all age groups, from new entrants to intermediate level at schools in London, England and Hamilton, Invercargill and Auckland, New Zealand. She has been a Principal for 19 years and as such she has demonstrated her ability to articulate her vision, be a collaborative leader and resource strategically to deliver quality teaching and learning. She has a track record of strong student achievement results, and recruiting and retaining confident, capable staff.