A special day at Kidsfirst East Rolleston

It was a big day for Kidsfirst East Rolleston on Saturday 25 March, when our newest kindergarten was officially blessed by Te Taumutu Rūnganga kaumātua, Denise Sheat.

A small group of those who contributed to bringing the kindergarten to life gathered together to take part in the ceremony, including East Rolleston kaiako, those involved in its construction, Kidsfirst board members and managers, and our Pouhere Ako, Jasmin Ngawai. Guests were led through the building by Denise, touching the walls and surfaces to contribute their wairua.

Te Taumutu Rūnanga kaumātua, Denise Sheat, leads the blessing of the new kindergarten.

Chief Executive Sherryll Wilson recounted the story of how the kindergarten came to be, complete with nerve-wracking anecdotes about the journey the Portacom structure – which formerly housed Kidsfirst Glacier Country – took across the South Island.

Board members Belinda Graham, Viv Ruth, and Pariya Behnami, and Chief Executive, Sherryll Wilson attend the opening of Kidsfirst East Rolleston.

Board member, Viv Ruth, acknowledged the amazing people who contributed to the foundation of the new kindergarten, including our contractors, and Kidsfirst staff members.

Kidsfirst board member, Viv Ruth, speaks at the kindergarten's blessing.

A special guest at the blessing was Kidsfirst Karoro kaiako, Tracey Hall, who had been the Head Teacher at Kidsfirst Glacier Country until sadly, it was forced to close due to the changing needs of the community. Tracey shared some sentiments about how special the building was, its history, and how its legacy would continue into this next phase of its life. Tracey has a long history with Kidsfirst, which links all the way back to her whānau’s involvement in the establishment of Karoro kindergarten.

Tracey then assisted new Kidsfirst East Rolleston head teacher, Yvonne Hetherton, and Pouhere Ako Jasmin Ngawai, in placing a ponga – or silver fern – plant in the big backyard to symbolise the name Te Taumutu Rūnanga gave our building – Rau Ponga. The blessing was closed with a waiata and kai.

Pouhere Ako, Jasmin Ngawai, East Rolleston head teacher, Yvonne Hetherton, and Kidsfirst Karoro kaiako, Tracey Hall, plant a ponga fern in the kindergarten's big backyard.

Guests brought the wairua to Kidsfirst's newest kindergarten.

An official public opening for the kindergarten will be held next term.

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