Kia ora koutou,

I welcome everyone here today to celebrate the life of Mr Scott Jermyn.

Today we are planting a Totara tree outside “his block” to remember his gifts to Darfield High School and our community.

The tree was kindly donated by the Malvern Youth Trust to recognise and symbolise his significant contributions to the local community.

A totara tree represents life and growth. Traditionally Maori warriors would use the trunk of the Totara tree to carve and build their wakas for voyage.

In Year 7, he helped us current Year 13’s, to shape and carve our wakas for our own journeys. Today we stand again, seven years later, in those same wakas with the remembrance and spirit of Mr Scott Jermyn forever carved into our wakas.

“Kia hora te marino, Kia whakapapa, pounamu te moana, Kia tere te kārohirohi i mua i to huarahi”

May peace be widespread, may the sea glisten like greenstone and may the shimmer of the light guide you on your way.