On Saturday 4 April, at our Auckland Graduation, you would have been joining your classmates, lecturers, whānau and friends to celebrate the completion of your programme of study at Laidlaw College. As part of the Laidlaw community, we would have been cheering along, singing with, and praying for you as we gathered. In these strange times where time itself is challenging to make sense of, we want to acknowledge you, your mahi, whānau, friends, and church communities who have supported you to complete your qualification. 

Normally, the graduation ceremony is the momentous event at which you officially become graduates. We celebrate you. You receive your award of qualification. And then we send you out into your communities, workplaces, and all the world to renew them with an intelligent and courageous faith.  

But we can’t do that in person. 

Instead, please check out this short video message to honour you. 

We will courier your award of qualification when we are able to get back into our offices. Even though it may not feel like it, and we cannot gather to do this all together, you are now officially a Laidlaw graduate. CONGRATULATIONS! You can now use your qualification for professional purposes (CV, job applications, LinkedIn profiles etc.) We would still love for you to join us at a later date for a proper graduation ceremony and will be in touch when we can tell you more.  

You may or may not know what kind of work the Lord has prepared for you. You may feel smarter or more aware of all the things you still don’t know. You may be more confident or, after wrestling with God, are now walking with a limp. No matter what your situation, we celebrate the successful completion of your programme of study and look forward to staying connected with you as a member of our alumni community. 

Ngā mihi nui,

The Laidlaw College Staff Team