Courage for the Road Ahead

The Guineas Ballroom at Ellerslie Events Centre once again played host for our Year 8 Graduation Dinner. The occasion brought together our Year 8 students, families, staff, and special guests to honour the impact this 2025 cohort. The programme opened with words of welcome from Principal Marianne Duston, followed by an address from Saint Kentigern Alumni Association President Thomas Steel and representative Laura Porteous. Their reflections linked the girls’ time at the Girls’ School with the wider legacy they now join as they move into secondary school and beyond.

One of the most memorable moments came from guest speaker Amy Wilkinson, whose story resonated widely. A scholarship recipient and former student athlete in two U.S. college sports, Amy spoke about courage, not as a dramatic act, but as the quiet resolve to stick at your wildest goals. She shared how following that inner voice often meant taking a different path, choosing conviction over convenience, and refusing to quit when challenges arose.

In a serendipitous connection to this year’s school production of ‘The Wizard of Oz’, Amy reflected on discovering the courage she already carried within her, a discovery made all the more fitting given that part of her college journey took place in Kansas. Her encouragement to the girls was simple but compelling: step boldly into high school, trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to follow your own road.

The evening concluded with dinner, musical performances, the presentation of graduation gifts, and a nostalgic photo slideshow capturing their journey from New Entrants to leaders of the school.

To the Year 8 Class of 2025, we celebrate all you have been, and all you will become.