Saint Kentigern College is an Independent Presbyterian day and boarding school offering world-class private education for boys and girls in Years 7-13 (ages 11-18).
To provide education that inspires students to strive for excellence in all areas of life for the glory of God and the service of others. The Mission commits us to foster a caring school environment where the potential of every student is realized to the full, and service to others is considered ahead of personal gain. The involvement of parents and families in many aspects of school life, including Chapel services, social gatherings, and class and school events, is a vital part of the Saint Kentigern experience.
The College is located on a large and attractive campus in the suburb of Pakuranga, 16 kilometers from the center of Auckland, New Zealand. Our students enjoy a park-like setting bordering the waters of the Tamaki Estuary, with extensive playing fields and outstanding, well-resourced learning facilities. Our boarders enjoy some of the best boarding house ‘real estate in Auckland with superb views of the estuary and easy access to many of the College’s superb facilities. Established in 1953, the College remains true to its traditional Christian faith, values, and Scottish heritage.
Our Graduates will Serve and Lead with Distinction. A Saint Kentigern education runs deeper than the acquisition of curriculum-specific knowledge. Throughout everything they undertake, our students are encouraged to offer support and leadership to their peers and the younger students who follow in their footsteps.
Service takes many forms and does not always have to be about big issues it can be acts of kindness, consideration, and compassion in the classroom, in the playground, on the sports field, or at home. These little acts of service encouraged at an early age build a foundation for moral reasoning later in life. One of the measures of success for all our boys and girls is the extent to which they have made a positive contribution to their school and the wider community.
Our innovative ‘parallel education’ philosophy offers the best of both worlds to students during their college years. Boys and girls are taught separately in the Middle School (Years 7-10), while Senior School (Years 11-13) students work in a co-educational setting.
Saint Kentigern offers Senior School students a choice of academic pathways. As an IB World School, our students in Years 12 and 13 can elect to either study towards an International Baccalaureate Diploma or the New Zealand qualification, NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement).
Values education has long been synonymous with The Saint Kentigern Way, a code of care and respect that all our students and staff are encouraged to adopt in every facet of their daily lives, both during the school day and at home. These core values provide a starting point for our students to explore many other essential values such as compassion, courage, determination, loyalty, justice, and tolerance that are discussed and practiced during the year.
With a well-deserved reputation for excellence in our academic, sporting, cultural, and service programs, we are proud to be recognized as one of the leading co-educational, independent secondary schools in New Zealand. Saint Kentigern Middle and Senior Schools opens ‘a world of opportunity for the young people who take their educational journey with us.
As our students progress through the College, service opportunities at both school and community levels abound. Students are encouraged to become involved with projects such as World Vision’s 40 Hour Famine, to contribute to food, shoe, clothing, and stationery ‘banks’ that provide for those in the wider community who are less fortunate and to understand the purpose and result of Chapel offerings.
Saint Kentigern College provides a wide range of clubs and societies which all students with a particular passion may join. These generally happen during lunchtime or after school and each has its specific focus.
Research strongly associates levels of wellbeing with our learning capacity. The Guidance Department at Saint Kentigern is committed to educating the whole person, thereby supporting their experience towards improved levels of achievement and greater satisfaction in their lives.
The Guidance team, consisting of the Head of Guidance, counseling psychologist, and clinical psychologist, are available for students primarily during school hours. Where necessary, we take a family approach and involve parents.
