Today marked a special moment for our kura as our beautiful new Waihī College sign was officially blessed and unveiled at the front of the school.
Standing proudly at the entrance to our kura, the sign is already becoming a much-admired feature and an important part of our ongoing beautification project rolling out across the year. The stunning sign was handcrafted by local builder and creator Richard Rockell, whose passion for working with his hands and creating meaningful pieces shines through in every detail. Richard shared that while he enjoys building, he especially values working on projects with smaller groups where he can connect more personally with the work and the people involved. His creative journey has included learning carving techniques through workshops with local carver Trevor Heighway, whose guidance helped inspire and develop Richard’s skills further. He believes in giving back to the community and sharing his talents in ways that bring people together and create lasting beauty.
We are incredibly grateful for the time, care, and craftsmanship he has poured into this project. The new sign reflects our kura beautifully — strong, welcoming, grounded, and full of character. It is a wonderful representation of Waihī College and the pride we have in our school community. A huge thank you to Richard and all involved in the creation of this beautiful piece.
We encourage everyone to stop by the front of the school and take a look at the sign for themselves. It is something our whole community can be proud of.
