Kristin School

Kristin Camp Week

During the last week of February, Kristin’s Middle and Senior School students and staff were off campus enjoying Camp Week in a number of different locations around New Zealand.

Camp Week constitutes one of the most unique and formative aspects of a Kristin education, and it is an extraordinary logistical feat providing over 1200 students with a memorable outdoor experience all at the same time.

The personal bonds formed and skills gained from camp week are an indelible part of growing up. You know that camp week has arrived when you see your child onto the bus with their enormous backpacks, exploding with bits of tent, swinging pots and sleeping mats. Whether you are reluctant to see your child go or celebrating as they depart the Kristin carpark, as parents, we know that the week away with peers and staff is one of the best learning experiences they will have all year. This early first-term school camp experience is like a slice of Kristin heaven, a time for our students to strike out on their own and bond with their new classmates, get to know the fun side of their teachers and try out some different and challenging activities.

The camp experience provides our students with the opportunities to work with a variety of adults, will nurture experiential education, build intergenerational relationships and result in a different style of learning. Teacher involvement is, of course, vital to every successful camp, with the bonds between students and teachers strengthened away from the classroom. Our students have the opportunity to form relationships through first-hand experiences with trained, caring adult role models and experience a sense of achievement in a supervised, safe and positive environment as a result.

Camp week is a real-life example of having an integrated learning experience, and at a time when many schools are narrowing down the curriculum, we see camp as a way to extend it. At Kristin, we know that these experiences are pivotal to the overall school experience. It's the perfect example of a moment they will remember for the rest of their lives.

Dave Scott Middle School Principal

Steinway Piano Donor Concert

Thanks to the generosity of our school community Kristin School is now the proud owner of a stunning Steinway B Grand Piano. The Rolls Royce of the piano world, Steinway pianos are the instrument of choice in the majority of the world’s concert halls, and as one of just a few schools in New Zealand to have a piano of this calibre, we are excited about the future of musical performance in our school.

Taking pride of place in our Dove Theatre, this instrument has transformed the space into a venue capable of hosting musical performances of the highest level ranging from solo piano recitals and chamber music, to small orchestras and vocal concerts. A piano such as this allows our students to share their music on an instrument meeting the highest of expressive and technical demands.

On Wednesday 11th March, the completion of the Grand Aspirations piano fundraiser and arrival of our piano was celebrated with an evening concert for donors featuring performances from both Kristin music students and staff. The new piano looked dazzling under the lights of the Dove Theatre and in its first full concert our talented performers made the most of the technical and expressive capabilities of the Steinway.

The acquisition of this piano is yet another milestone in the history of Kristin families contributing to the evolution of our school, and the value of Kristin as a hub for arts and culture on Auckland’s North Shore. Our new Steinway B will allow for excellence in musical performance at Kristin for decades to come.

Nick Duirs Head of Faculty Visuals and Performing Arts

Twenty-four students represented Kristin at the North Harbour Schools' Athletics Championships held at the Millennium Stadium on Wednesday 11th March, with some very strong results achieved. Finn Burridge and Worren Li placed first overall in their respective Intermediate Boys’ Javelin & Senior Boys' Triple Jump competitions. Finn also placed second in discus and Worren third in the high jump. Ten Kristin students qualified for the Auckland Schools' Championships on 25th March.

Kristin 1st XV hosts Lord Byng High School (Vancouver, Canada)

Kristin rugby families opened their doors again in early March to our long-time friends and rivals from Lord Byng High School in Vancouver, Canada.

This marked the eighth time the two schools have met on the rugby pitch since the relationship started back in the late 1990s. Last April when Kristin toured Vancouver and were hosted by Lord Byng, our boys won a 38-26 barn-burner of a match. This Tuesday, Kristin made it two in a row, toppling the Gray Ghosts 31-7 behind tries from Zach Pickles, Jack Gulliver (captain), Ben Manuyag, Jayden Andrews and Cameron Salisbury. Andrews also landed three conversions.

Well-fed and loaded with souvenirs from Queen Street, the visitors from Vancouver said goodbye to their hosts on Thursday morning 12th March after a rousing rendition of Oh, Canada! under the rugby posts. The Kristin 1st XV hope to return to Vancouver in April 2021 and meet their Lord Byng friends on their home turf.

Michael Badger Year 10 Dean and 1st XV Head Coach

Senior School Sports Day

School spirit and house competition was at the fore during the Senior School Sports Day on Wednesday 18th March. Congratulations to all senior students who gave it their all at each of the 12 events to gain points for their house.

The Senior School Sports Committee who helped organise the events did a sterling job ensuring all ran smoothly and all competitors had their chance to shine for their respective houses. The finale was the year group house relays and there was some exciting racing across all three year groups. Saturn house gained the most points in the relays but not enough to stop Jupiter from being crowned House Sports Champion for 2020..