Ashburton College principal Ross Preece welcoming Year 9 students and new members of the school’s teaching staff during yesterday’s powhiri. Photo Sue NewmanMore than 270 Year 9 students and several new staff members were formally welcomed to Ashburton College yesterday with a powhiri at the school’s wharenui.

The newcomers were led into the ceremony by Kaumatua Tipene Philip and head of junior school Carolyn Clough.

They were welcomed by principal Ross Preece as part of the school family.

Year 10 to 13 students sang the school waiata with the newcomers responding.

While the start of year powhiri is the most significant large event held in the wharenui, it is well used during the school year as teaching space.

The college wharenui opened in 1997 and the following week the carvings surrounding its entrance were created by master carver Vince Leonard.

After more than 20 years those carvings now have significant weather damage and next week they  will be removed and will undergo an extensive restoration process.

© The Ashburton Guardian - 8 February 2019