A New Chapter for our School : The Blessing of the Shand

By Richard Hall | Posted: Wednesday February 11, 2026

Thursday morning marked a profound milestone in our school’s history with the formal blessing of the Shand.

As the first rays of light hit the facade, we gathered to open a space that has been seven years in the making—a journey of vision, patience, and tireless dedication.

As the largest project of its kind ever undertaken at the school, the scale of the endeavor cannot be overstated. Following two years of intensive construction, the fences have finally come down, and the doors are open. The primary intention for the Shand was to create a sanctuary for the arts; a dedicated hub where music and drama can flourish, providing our students with a world-class environment to hone their craft and express their creativity.

The interior of the building is where function truly meets inspiration. A key component of the design is the deep integration of the Kāi Tahu creation story. These cultural narratives are woven into the very fabric of the space, ensuring that as students push the boundaries of their creative potential, they remain grounded in the history and identity of the land.

While we are finally able to use the facility as of this morning, the journey doesn't end here. Further developments within these creative spaces will continue as we refine the environment for future generations. We look forward to sharing a later post to formally acknowledge the many individuals and partners who made this dream a reality.

For now, we celebrate a new heartbeat for the performing arts at our school.