Huanui College opens gates to first 'seedlings'

Andre Hueber | 9th February 2010

Whangarei's new private secondary school Huanui College opened its doors for the first time yesterday, welcoming   an inaugural intake of 80 students.

The school,  on  20ha of farmland at Glenbervie on Ngunguru Rd, will start as a junior school from Years 7 to 9. The college will then grow  until Year 9 students progress through to Year 13.

Reverend Jack Parata and kaumatua from Pehiaweri Marae welcomed students  and described the land's history. 

Principal Anna Cronshaw said the opening was "a long time coming" and she felt emotional, finally seeing keen, enthusiastic students in uniform.

"We've been given these children as seedlings and it's up to us to grow them to mature individuals with a world of opportunity," she said.

"They're about to embark on an incredible journey as part of a new era in their education."

Ms Cronshaw said seven classrooms were now in operation, with a gymnasium due to open at the start of term two. Sports fields and outdoor turf areas were ready for use. While the first stage of the school was finished, stages two and three were part of ongoing development to cater for the college's predicted roll growth.

Year 9 student Sophie Short, 12, said it was exciting to be part of something new.

"There's big sports fields and small class sizes. That's an improvement coming from a class of 33. It means teachers can focus on smaller groups."