This was held on Friday, 31 January 2025...

...and was another great occasion when the whole school comes together to welcome our new staff and students into our whanau (school family) and to honour the founders of the school and the Lord for his faithfulness over 60+ years.

New students and staff were welcomed with a Mihi Whakatau in the School Gym, which involved our school Kapa Haka group performing our school Haka, then Matua Pairama led the welcome in te reo maori on behalf of the tangata whenua (hosts).  Mr Aidan Baker, one of our new staff responded to the welcome as a representative of the manuhiri (new staff and students).  Several waiata (songs) were sung to support the speeches, and a concluding hongi (nose-to-nose greeting), with the hosts initiating the process by inviting the visitors to come forward for the greeting. 

Following the Mihi Whakatau, Mr Vannoort, our school principal addressed the school by welcoming everyone, including comments about the founders of the school and how the school began.  He also acknowledged God’s provision and faithfulness over the 61 years of the school’s existence.