After nearly four years of planning, design and building, Southland Adventist Christian School, in Invercargill, New Zealand, was officially opened on February 6.
Established in 1955, the school spent the past 53 years at Bainfield Road, before needing to move and expand due to a growth in student registrations.
During the opening dedication ceremony, attendees heard stories from former staff and students, celebrating Adventist education in Invercargill— including a student who attended the first school in 1955, which was located in Esk Street, as well as students who had transitioned to the school on Bainfield Road in 1968.
There were speeches from Owen Saunders (chairman of the board of trustees), Michael Jones (secretary for the South New Zealand Conference), Pastor Eddie Tupa’i (president of the New Zealand Pacific Union Conference) and Joshua Taylor (principal).
Mr Saunders said it was amazing the new school was built in only 14 months, even with the pandemic’s impact.
He also emphasised that the accomplishment wouldn’t have been possible without the volunteers and the community’s help.
“It has been great to see the excitement of our students and wider school community as we have opened the new school,” said Mr Taylor.
“It was a wonderful day for all involved. Thank you to all who attended in support of our school.”
