Waikato Business News | April 1, 2024

10 APRIL 2024
A chapel in the frame
For 70 years, Waikato’s only
Catholic secondary school boys’
college has been without a chapel.
Senior writer Mary Anne Gill goes
to an art expo which the foundation
behind it hopes will have spiritual
results.
If walls could talk, the old
gymnasium at St John’s
College in Hamilton
would have hundreds of
stories to tell.
Another one was added to
the list last month with an
art expo fundraiser.
In the Frame, organised
by the St John’s College
Foundation, ran over three
days and featured the
work of 56 artists and 148
artworks.
Curator Caroline
Peacocke attracted a diverse
group of artists and artistic
expressions including work
from current and past
students, a staff member
and parent.
Money raised from the
expo – about a third of
the artwork sold over the
three days - goes towards
repurposing the old gym
into a multi-purpose space
with a dedicated sanctuary
area.
At a gala opening,
principal Shane Tong said
the boys-only Catholic
school – which opened on
its Hillcrest Road site next
to Waikato University in
1962 - did not have its own
chapel.
“For many years, we’ve
dreamt of St John’s College
having a chapel onsite which
will provide a sacred space
for our students and wider
community.”
The school could host a
fortnightly Mass for its
more than 500 students
and provide performing art
space for up to 100 people.
There would also be a
quiet space for prayer and
reflection.
Foundation chair David
Kilbride of Cambridge,
who attended the college
from 1981-1985 and has a
history in the agricultural
industry, said he hoped the
expo would bring the wider
college community together,
build connections and raise
funds for the college.
The launch night featured
Guests, including Bishop Richard Laurenson, at the In the Frame art fundraiser at St John’s College in Hamilton. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
several old boys including
new Catholic bishop Richard
Laurenson, who attended
the school at the same time
as Tong, new papal knight
Paul Barnett and business
leaders from around the
Waikato.
The school’s hospitality
students prepared canapes
and helped with service,
other students set the event
up, welcomed visitors and
answered questions while
the St John’s College Jazz
combo entertained.
Marketing and
Communications
coordinator Gaby Douglas
said the whole Catholic
community came together
to help.
The foundation – founded
in 1999 - is a charitable trust
which receives donations,
grants and bequests on
behalf of the school and
organises fundraisers for
projects such as the upgrade
of the Number One playing
field’s spectator area, the
new Marcellin Centre
gymnasium, the tennis and
hockey centre and various
scholarships.
Riding the Wave: The Rising Popularity
of Business Events
ADVERTORIAL
2024 has kicked off with a series
of Chamber events that have
been a roaring success so
much so that many have sold
out and we’ve had to put people on
waiting lists. It’s been wonderful to
see our members using these events
as opportunities to network, make
new connections, and learn things
along the way. Many of our members
are telling us that they are seeing the
value in events from a networking
perspective and that by attending,
swapping business stories and
meeting new people, that’s translating
into opportunities to grow their
businesses.
Check out some of the photos below
of this year’s events.
2024 WAIKATO BUSINESS AWARDS
The most highly anticipated business
event of the year – Waikato Chamber
of Commerce Business Awards, supported
by Fosters Construction will
take place on Friday 15 November at
Globox Arena, Claudelands. Award
entries open on Monday 29 April.
I encourage you to take a look at our
website for more information and
to see what award category might
suit your business. waikatochamber.
co.nz/waikato-business-awards/
There are many more events coming
up so be sure to check out the events
tab on the Chamber website and get
in early to secure your spot. You can
also check out our social media pages
for any photos and videos we take
at events of our speakers and guests.
Rebecca Aston, Events and Marketing
Manager, Waikato Chamber of Commerce
Thanks to our event sponsors:
Connect - Grow - Inspire - Represent