Catholic kindergarten bows out Friday: Remuera
A cherished Auckland preschool is closing its doors after teaching Remuera children for 66 years.
St Joseph's of Cluny Kindergarten guides learners for the last time on Friday out of concern for the growing frailty of the Sisters who manage the institution.
Head teacher of 15 years Julie McClay said the Sisters of St Joseph Trust Board were aging and did not have any younger Sisters coming through to take the reigns.
"They're 80 plus so they can just relax and not have any financial worries down the track, " McClay said.
The Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny, a religious order founded in France, opened the kindergarten in 1954 to better serve their local congregation with early childhood education.
Among the first day pupils were the Bishop of Auckland, Bishop Patrick Dunn.
The initiative was so successful it led to the launch in 1960 of Cluny School, for primary students, which ran until 1981.
McClay describes the Sisters as "the unsung heroes."
They welcomed students with special needs and never turned away families who could not afford to pay their fees, she said.
"Whatever the need was we said, 'yes' and I think that's what we were about."
McClay said that over the years, she often heard primary school teachers remarking they could recognise the kindergarten's former students.
"I think it's (because of) the value system."
The children were given high expectations- and rose to them, she said.
"It was always done in a nurturing, loving environment at the pace of the child."
Poll: Should complete designs be shared with the public, or should the community help shape the designs from the start?
The Post recently shared an opinion piece on the Harbour Crossing and why a more democratic approach might be needed 🚗🚲👟
While most decisions sit within the political arena, many organisations—like NZTA—manage long-term projects that go beyond party lines. Politics can sometimes disrupt progress, and the next Harbour Crossing is a big decision that will affect all Aucklanders.
We’d love your thoughts: Should near-complete, shovel-ready designs be shared with the public, or should the community have a hand in shaping the designs from the start?
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80.5% Community feedback and transparency is needed.
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19.5% No. This would be impossible in practice.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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53.8% Human-centred experience and communication
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14.1% Critical thinking
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29.4% Resilience and adaptability
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2.7% Other - I will share below!
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