Tēnā tātou katoa,

Tēnā koutou katoa e te iwi. He mihi tuatahi ki te atua kaha rawa, te timatanga te
whakamutunga o ngā mea katoa. E te pou o te kura whaea Tina, kua hinga ki te pō, haere,
haere, haere atu rā, ka oti. He nui tōu mana, tōu aroha ki te whakaako me te
whakatipu i ā tātou ākonga, ā, ka rangona nuitia tōu ngākau mahaki i roto i ngā rā e
heke mai nei. Ahakoa kua ngaro koe i te ao turoa, ka noho tonu tō whakapono, me
tō aroha ki waenganui i a mātou. Haere, haere, moe mai i te rangimārie, e te
Rangatira.

It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we write to inform you of the passing of our cherished staff member and valued teacher, Mrs. Christina Smith (née Mose).

Mrs. Smith passed away peacefully last night, at home, surrounded by her husband, her children, and her family.

Mrs. Smith has been an integral part of our school and the Kelston community, serving as a dedicated and much-loved teacher and deputy principal. Her kindness, commitment, and passion made a profound difference in the lives of many students, staff, and families. She will be greatly missed by us all.

Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family at this difficult time.

We have shared this news with our students who are onsite today. Our school counsellors and Hauora team are available to offer support to any student who needs it in the coming days. We will be providing students with opportunities to talk about their experiences and their feelings if they wish to. 

If your child is struggling to process this loss, please reach out to their Ngā Toa o Kerehana teacher, Kaimanaaki, or the school office. Families can also access immediate support by calling the free mental health line at 1737.

We will find an appropriate way as a school community to remember and honour Mrs. Smith’s legacy here once we have consulted further with her family.

Mrs. Smith’s family have shared this verse with us at this time:

‘Ia vi’ia le suafa o le Ali’i, e āfua mai i le mea e alu a’e ai le lā, e o’o atu i le mea e goto ai.
Salamo 113:3

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.
Psalms 113:3

Ma le fa’aaloalo lava,

Talia McNaughton

Tumuaki | Principal

Article added: Thursday 27 November 2025