News Release
Doors Open on New School
Kahurangi School will be officially opened on Friday 6 September at 1.00pm, by local MP and long-time supporter, Hon.
Annette King.
Kahurangi School is the result of the merger of two local primary schools, Miramar South and Strathmore Community
Schools.
“The new school opening marks the end of a long journey for our 133 children, and the beginning of a new and exciting
schooling opportunity for our local area,” says parent and Board Member, Bessie Fepulea’i.
“When we began the process of bringing the two school communities together – we were very much two separate groups, now,
after just over 6 months operating on the Miramar South school site, we are entering our new school site as one school
whanau,”says Ms Fepulea’i.
The opening will begin with a whole school powhiri, and up to 500 people are expected to attend.
Principal Kyran Smith says the merger is an example of how two distinct school cultures can come together and build
something bigger and stronger than either was before.
“School mergers are emotional experiences for the community. The children particularly feel overwhelmed and unsure of
what it all means. I am so proud of our children and our community who are now 100 percent behind Kahurangi School and
what it can do for our community,” said Ms Smith.
“Even things like choosing the new name for the school have been community led – with the name Kahurangi School being
gifted to the community by the local Iwi through the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust”.
The name comes from the Maori proverb "Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei" which means "Pursue
that which is precious, and do not be deterred by anything less than a lofty mountain.
Pupil Dantye Saywell (age 5) when asked what she likes about the new school says she loves everything.
“I really like our new learning spaces because they’re connected and really detailed and have everything in them that we
possibly need. Our site is really cool and good because after because the large school grounds and its history” says Lev
Petersen aged 7.
ENDS
Visit www.kahurangi.school.nz