St Oran's College

I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.   Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the afternoon (Sign).

May I specifically greet you: Elizabeth Coe, Chairperson of Board of Proprietors and your fellow board; members of the Board of Trustees; Dawn Ackroyd, Principal of St Oran’s College and your fellow staff; Your Worship David Ogden, Mayor of Hutt City; Mr Paul Quinn, Member of Parliament; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen. 

Thank you for inviting my wife Susan and I to attend the opening of St Oran’s College new 8 classroom building named the Fenton Block. 

I have been asked to officially open this new building, but before I do I would like to speak about this College, its special character and the significance of this new building.

This is not the first visit to this College by a Governor-General. As you will know, Dame Silvia Cartwright opened the Chartres Gymnasium, Horton Gallery and refurbished Rutherford Arts Centre on 29 May 2003 and Sir Michael Hardie Boys a building in his time. On that note I am pleased to be part of what can be called a ‘tradition’ of Governors-General opening your new school buildings.

St Oran’s College, I am told, was established in 1958 by the Wellington Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, with the College opening in 1959.

I have learnt that the College celebrated its 50th Jubilee in October last year. I offer my congratulations on reaching that important milestone and hope that the College continues its success over the next fifty years.

The College can be proud of its special character which teaches sound Christian principles, encouraging excellence, tolerance, and enthusiasm. That character is succinctly laid out in the College motto: “Nisi Dominus Frustra”¬, meaning “Without the Lord in Vain”.

A combination of faith and education gives each person an opportunity to realise their potential and become everything they want to be.  As the American academic, Dr Leo Buscaglia once said: “Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.”

This College is also known for its academic excellence. This is highlighted by the NZQA Statistics Report from May 2009 which shows that in 2008 this College was among the top academic schools in the Greater Wellington area.

I offer my congratulations not only to students past and present for their commitment to excellence, but also to the many teachers who have had significant input into the education of the students. This achievement showcases not only student success, but success as an exemplary teacher.

With a combination of special character, academic excellence and beautiful grounds, it is not surprising that the College roll has been a popular choice for parents seeking a good education for their daughters. I am advised that in 2006 the College was granted a roll increase to go up to 500 students by 2013. For that reason, the Fenton Block has been built which I am told comprises eight classrooms.

It is appropriate to now make mention of the person that this block is named after, Dr Colin Fenton. I was interested to learn of Dr Fenton’s long involvement with the College dating back to the 1970s when two of his daughters attended. During that forty years of association he has served as Chair of the Board of Proprietors, a trustee on the St Oran’s Foundation Trust and more currently a member of the Hutt Valley Presbyterian College for Girls Inc. Board.

May I now offer my thanks and appreciation to Dr Fenton for his service to the College that is being recognised today in the form of a building naming rights.

To the students of St Oran’s College: you have a school you can be proud of and it is now up to you to make your school proud of you.

There is a wonderful opportunity here for both St Oran’s College staff and students and a challenge.  The challenge is that bricks and mortar can only facilitate learning - they cannot make it happen.  It will be for each of you to put the Fenton Block to its best good use.  It seems to me that based on the proud history of this school, there can be some certainty that you will. 

And with a sense of anticipation in the value that the Fenton block will bring to the students, teachers and their community, I will close in New Zealand's first language Māori, by offering everyone greetings and wishing you all good health and fortitude in your endeavours. 

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.

As Governor-General, it gives me great pleasure to declare St Oran’s College Fenton Block officially open.

For more photos, click here.