ISNZ Awards for St Peter's staff members

Congratulations to Head of Rowing Janey Wackrow and Head of Faculty Agriculture/Horticulture Mike Kilgour for their success at the Independent Schools New Zealand Awards.

Janey Wackrow for Service to Sport.

Janey has been St Peter’s Director of Rowing for 15 years. When she joined, only a few students were rowing, and the school would make one or two A and B finals at nationals. Now, the school has over 90 competitive rowers and 40 students in Learn to Row programmes, and the programme grows each year.

The school has been overall National Rowing Champion in 2012, 2016 and 2018, and consistently places in the top 3 schools in the Maadi Cup. Numerous St Peter’s crews and individuals win Waipa and Waikato sports awards. In recent years, 21 students have gone on to row at US Universities, and this summer, four St Peter’s alumni were training with the New Zealand rowing team.

Janey has established a very strong infrastructure, and introduced parental involvement, critical for the day-to-day operation of the programme. She nurtures novices, giving them a strong foundation, and the high retention rate speaks volumes. Her outstanding encouragement and support ensure students improve and achieve personal bests year on year.

Janey was recently appointed President of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Rowing Association.

Principal Dale Burden says, “Janey gives outstanding service to St Peter’s and the independent schools sector. She is an inspirational leader of what is arguably the best rowing programme in the country.”

Mike Kilgour for Service to Teaching Education Outside the Classroom

Mike has been serving St Peter’s for 40 years, starting as a Farm Manager in 1979 before progressing to science teaching in 1991 and his current HOD Agriculture and Horticulture role in 1997.

He was an integral part of St Peter’s strategic move to use its farm as a structured teaching and learning opportunity, and played a huge role in the development of the agriculture and horticulture subjects. This year, St Peter’s has the highest student numbers yet for AgHort. It is a fully endorsed subject for years 11-13, with a 100% NCEA pass rate.

Mike envisaged a learning system where classroom theory would be backed up with practical skills learned on the farm. He laid the foundations for Owl Farm, which gives not only St Peter’s students but the entire farming community access to world class resources, information and practices. 

Having lived on campus for 40 years, St Peter’s is Mike’s home. He has brought his personal interests to campus, planting numerous fruit trees for example. He has also introduced viticulture to the curriculum, and St Peters will have its own vintage by 2020.

Principal Dale Burden says, “Mike’s loyalty and dedication have helped to create a better environment for all staff and students. In 40 years, his enthusiasm and professionalism haven’t wavered. We are extremely fortunate to have him.”