Kristin School

A classic quote by John Lubbock, who perceptively stated…

"Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach of us more than we can ever learn from books."

Over a century after Lubbock’s comments and at Kristin School, we do not underestimate the value of outdoor education in providing young people with the opportunity to grow and develop, personally and socially. As well as offering our students outdoor education as a curriculum option, every February, every Middle and Senior School student and staff member embark on Camp Week at various scenic locations across New Zealand. Friendships are established and strengthened; essential 'soft skills' of cooperation, teamwork, leadership, adaptability and problem-solving are enhanced, and a curiosity and appreciation of protecting and caring for our environment are fostered.

Alas, this year, Covid curtailed our annual Camp plans. Alternatively, in testimony to our commitment to providing a holistic range of educational experiences, Kristin Middle School hosted an outdoor adventure day for each year level in conjunction with the outdoor provider, Bigfoot. Kristin is privileged to have a beautiful campus backing onto Lucas Creek. The opportunity to use our extensive grounds and immediate environment during a school day was an essential component of the experience. As Year 10 student, Leisha, explained, "We didn't let Covid beat us; we still got to enjoy camp right here on Kristin's grounds!"

As a brand new cohort, Year 7's primary focus was on social connections. Students participated in various activities in their tutor classes, ranging from mountain biking to archery, making bivvy shelters and rock climbing our own Kristin climbing wall. Akaal summed up the experience perfectly, "Adventure Day was so much fun as we got to try so many new things. I was so pleased that my class was the overall winner, but more importantly, we made new friends".

With Year 8 participating in the William Pike Award this year, their focus was on developing skills to survive outdoors. As a result, the year group came away from their outdoor adventure day far more knowledgeable about bush survival, pack making and "... how to tie a bunch of different knots and to pitch a perfect tent" (– Kara), as well as outdoor first aid. "My highlight? Learning how to tie a sling and make one out of your jersey." – Alys.

Meanwhile, for Year 9, their outdoor adventure day was about providing "a great way to catalyse our friendships" (- Imogen). In addition, adventure-based learning games helped "develop a stronger sense of connection with the year group" and rewarded "good teamwork" amongst coaching groups.

And finally, all our Year 10 students had the opportunity to complete their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Training Day. "We got to do some fun activities like navigation and orienteering, rope tying, bivouac building, packing a tramping bag, and we even managed to cook our lunch on a portable stove using gas cans!" - Leisha. Focusing on the skills and knowledge required for the DOE Adventurous Journey, the Year 10's day provided a means of selfdiscovery, increasing self-confidence and helping enhance values and ideals as responsible citizens of the world.

While our Middle School students were unable this year to traverse the Tongariro Crossing or surf at Raglan – arguably iconic New Zealand outdoor experiences – they were able to enjoy and discover our own beautiful backyard. Any opportunity to appreciate nature "reminds us that we are part of something bigger" (– Ben Palmer-Fry), and, for many of our students, it deepened their sense of belonging and connection to Kristin at the beginning of a new school year.

What's more, amidst a Covid pandemic and disturbing images of war in Ukraine, for our young people to be outside and immersed in nature away from devices, "it grounds us, calm us" (– Ben Palmer-Fry). As we approach Easter and the April holidays, the opportunity to spend time with friends and family outside in magnificent Aotearoa, and the importance of appreciating and being grateful for our environment – our haven – has never been more significant.

Deborah Plummer, Assistant Principal, Kristin Middle School

Kristin Tennis on Fire in Secondary School Sport

Finn Burridge. Kristin’s Boys’ and Girls’ Tennis teams competed admirably at the recent Auckland Secondary School Tennis Champion of Champions Tournament which was played over four days in March. This tournament features the best tennis players in Auckland’s secondary schools. Kristin’s teams were led by our nationally ranked Sports Prefect, Finn Burridge.

Congratulations to Mina Zhang and Muhan Cui who won the Auckland Secondary Schools Intermediate Girls Doubles title with a thrilling win over Macleans College in the final. The scores were tied one set all but our girls came through in the tiebreaker to win 10 points to 6! Well played girls!

Kristin entered four boys (Finn Burridge, Robbie King, Jamie King, Joey Li) and four girls (Lilian Zhang, Muhan Cui, Mina Zhang and Jessica O'Malley) to play in 8 singles and 3 doubles events.

Both Girls' and Boys' teams had some great wins in the first and second rounds with Finn Burridge (Senior Singles) and Mina and Muhan (Intermediate Girls Doubles) and Joey and Jamie (Intermediate Boys Doubles) making it through to the semi-finals along with Finn and Robbie in the Senior Boys Doubles.

Finn's semi-final singles was a close match and after nearly three hours he narrowly missed out on making it through to the final, being defeated 2 sets to 1.

Finn and Robbie made it to the finals after a nail-biting semi-final against Kings College. Playing St Kentigern College in a brilliant final that was close all the way, the Kristin Boys went down 7/6, 4/6 10/8. The match was played in fine spirit and was an absorbing contest highlighted by some amazing rallies.

Cricket on a Roll at Kristin

The 2022 Cricket season has seen our 1st XI hit their straps winning their first four games. The Juan le Maitre coached side have been able to score plenty of runs, often batting first and setting a target for the opposition to chase. Alex Godward has batted with authority including a couple of knocks in the 80s. Captain Lachlan Wallace scored a fine 75 not out against Long Bay College. The Kristin bowlers have worked as a unit all season and young leg spinner Arahan Chattopadhyay has chimed in with some crucial wickets.

Ollie Birch and Lachie Wallace earlier in the year represented North Harbour U17 as well as playing for the Kristin team down in Napier at the cricket festival in early January. A busy season for our cricketers in 2022.

Congratulations to Year 11 student Krrish Hira-Patel who scored his maiden century against Avondale in the first game of the season. His 103 not out enabled the Colts team to secure their opening win in the first game of the season.

Krrish Hira-Patel.

Foundation Day 2022

On Friday 18th March we celebrated Kristin’s Foundation Day, honouring the story of our beginnings; recognising the vision, leadership and commitment of Kristin’s founders to create and build the school we love and appreciate today.

Kristin’s founding story is unique – a school created by families, for families, by a group of pioneering North Shore parents, guided by the Christian values that are still at the heart of our school today: progress, vision, integrity and love.

Our traditional candle lighting ceremony included two of our youngest Kindergarten students, Lauren Duck and Leo Ingram, and Head Prefects Cece Jenkins and Jamie Richardson, together lighting a candle symbolising the light of our founding Christian values, with us from the School’s foundation in 1973.