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Our College is co-education at its finest. An incredible campus where children develop self-awareness, resilience, and become responsible young adults who understand the value of lifelong learning against the backdrop of a global perspective.

Damon Emtage

Welcome to the Saint Kentigern family and our collective journey of growth and exploration. In 2023, I was honoured to join a history of charismatic leaders as Principal of the College.

Starting as an educator at Auckland Boys Grammar School, I moved to Australia and began two decades of educational leadership at the Brisbane Grammar School, Brisbane Boys' College and Wesley College, Melbourne. Those roles gave me the platform to return home and engage with the faith-based values of Saint Kentigern, which I love. 

Our College embraces the modern techniques of today's education, balanced with yesterday's tried and true teaching methods. Our commitment to this approach, combined with the values of the Presbyterian faith, our pastoral care programme and the capability of our educators, enables us to offer a unique and powerful educational programme, that inspires students to reach their full potential.

We are dedicated to educational excellence - through a constant journey of learning, exploration, innovation and holistic development. 

We are creating a future where opportunities abound. As an educator, an employer, and a partner, the future is bright. 

Fides Servanda Est. 

Damon Emtage
Principal, Saint Kentigern College
BEd, MEd


Our Team 

Our educators and administrators are all dedicated experts chosen for the knowledge and passion they have for their respective fields. College Senior Managers, Heads of Department, and Heads of House are all committed to excellence and motivating our students to unlock their fullest potential. Our professional development programme ensures our people stay at the forefront of their field, delivering an educational product that is effective, captivating and second to none in New Zealand. 

Senior Leadership Team

Damon Emtage

College Principal
BEd, MEd

Duncan McQueen

Director of Campus Life and Special Character
MSc(Hons), MEd Admin (Hons), Dip Tchg

Angee Robertson

Deputy Principal Senior Curriculum
BA, DipTchg

Natalie Burridge

Deputy Principal Academic Operations
BA, Grad DipTchg, PG Dip Ed Mgmt

Pat Baird

Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching
HDE (Sci),BEd, PG Dip Ed (Dist), MEd

Eric Wall

Deputy Principal Pastoral Care, Senior School
MSSL, DipTchg, BBS

Kate Offord

Campus Operations Manager
(BA)

Hannah Williams

Deputy Principal
MEdL (Hons), PGCE (Hons), BSci Biomedical Physics (Hons), MSci (Hons)

Carl Lidstone

Deputy Principal Pastoral Care, Middle School
BEd, DipTchg, Microfsoft Educator Expert

Heads of Faculty 

Name Qualifications Faculty Subjects
Brian Peel
BA(Hons), PGCE, PGCertAppPrac
Commerce
Accounting, Economics, Business, Financial Literacy
Rodney Stratton
BVA, GradDipTchng
Creative Arts
Dance, Drama, Music, Visual Arts (Design, Painting, Photography, Printmaking and Sculpture)
JoAnn Wordsworth
BA, BPhed PGEdStudies Grad Dip Tchg (S)
English
English, Media Studies
Merryn Ward
BA (Hons) and GradDipSecTchg
Humanities
Geography, History, Social Studies, Classics Studies, Christian Education, Travel and Tourism, Theory of Knowledge
James Palmer
BA;GradDipTchg(S)
Languages
Te Reo, French, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Latin
Dr Jamie Sneddon
BSc, GracDipTchg(S), MSc, PhD
Mathematics
Mathematics, Statistics, Calculus
Sara Standring
BPerArts, GradDipTchg
Performing Arts
Performing Arts
Paul Bennett
BPE
Physical Education
Physical Education, Health, Outdoor Education
Gerard Hodgson
BSc, GradDipTchg, PGDipSci
Science
Core Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth and Space Science
Miriam Slow
BSc, GradDipEng
Technology
Product Design, Building and Construction, Fashion and Textiles Design, Food Technology, Digital Technology, Design and Visual Communication, Computer Science, Animation and Motion Graphics, Middle School Technology – General
Mike Anderson
DipBusStud
Sport
Sports
Dave O’Brien
BA, BA (Hons), MA (Hons), GradDipSecTchg, English, Media Studies
IBDP
CAS, Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge

International Baccalaureate 

Name Qualifications Faculty Subjects
Dave O’Brien
BA, BA (Hons), MA (Hons), GradDipSecTchg, English, Media Studies
IBDP
CAS, Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge

Pastoral Care

Heads of Houses

Name Role Qualification
Ieti Fetalaiga
Head of Cargill Senior School
BPE, MEdLd
Dana Harrison
Head of Cargill Middle School
BA, BTch
Katie Gordon
Head of Chalmers Middle School
BA, BTch
Shannon Duffy
Head of Chalmers Senior School
BSc, MTchg
Anna Pinder
Head of Hamilton Senior School
BPE
Shannon William
Head of Middle School Hamilton
BA, BTch
Peter Harries
Head of Stark Senior School
BA(Hons) PGCE
Joe Cunningham
Head of Stark Middle School
BPE
Naomi Wilson
Head of Wilson Senior School
BA(Hons), PGCE
Al Ronberg
Head of Wilson Middle School
BSc (Psych), Grad Dip Tchng (Sec), Grad Dip App Theology, NZCOL (Bush)
Clinton Thomas
Head of Wishart Senior School
BA, BTch
Rebecca O’Donnell
Head of Wishart Middle School
BA, BCom, Grad Dip Tchng(Sec)
Kevin Taylor
Head of Year 7
BSc(Hons), PGDE

International Students

Name Role Qualifications
Edmund Aldiss
Head of International Students
MPhil

Enhanced Learning

Name Role Qualification
Mrs Catherine Watts
Head of Enhanced Learning Senior School
BA, Grad DipTchg (Sec) PGCert SpTchg (G&T)
Kay Brown
Head of Enhanced Learning Middle School
B.Ed, Dip Tchg, Dip Tchg Deaf and Hearing Impaired

Health Centre

Name Role Qualifications
Suzanne Dawson
Health Centre Nurse
Registered Nurse

ERO Report

We are proud to receive positive feedback from the regular ERO (Education Review Office) reports. These reports consistently reinforce the exceptional quality of our programmes, the strong rapport shared between our dedicated staff and students, and the high morale and sense of wellbeing that permeates each of our campuses. It's a testament to our commitment to excellence in education and nurturing a positive and thriving environment.