Cutting the ribbon: Taupō MP Louise Upston, centre, cuts the ribbon to open Kip McGrath Education Centre at Lakewood Cambridge. Watching on from left were Shivani Kant, Roger Gordon, James Khare, Shree Kant, Sneha Kant. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Shivani Kant has taken the plunge into business, she told invited guests at the opening of the Kip McGrath Education Centre in Cambridge on Saturday.
She was talking about her decision to become one of the Australian franchise’s more than 560 tutoring centres across 20 countries, but she could well have been talking about where they are based in Cambridge.
The education centre is situated above a swimming pool shop in the Lakewood complex so an ideal place to take the plunge.
Kant, a graduate of Canterbury University, has been involved in the education sector for 20 years.
“I have seen some very talented kids who have fallen through the cracks,” she said.
Taupō MP Louise Upston and Waipā councillor Roger Gordon, standing in for mayor Susan O’Regan, cut the ribbon opening the centre while Tainui/Maungatautari kaumatua Harry Wilson blessed the building.
Harry Wilson blesses the building on behalf of mana whenua. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Upston said having centres like Kip McGrath was vital. The first 1000 days of every child’s life was very important but there are those who need a little extra help for several reasons.
“Far too many of our children don’t get off to the right start,” which is why it was so important to have education centres who can “catch” young people.
Gordon said education was important to Cambridge and the town was well served by primary, intermediate and secondary schools.
He congratulated Kant for investing in Cambridge,
Waikato University professor Mark Harcourt said Kip McGrath centres were more than a business, they provided a social service.
Harcourt teaches courses in the School of Management and Marketing from second year level through to masters.
Too many Waikato students were getting left behind in science and mathematics. Given 25 per cent of all scientists in New Zealand are based in Waikato, it was important for students to get those skills.
Kip McGrath provided a proven and successful programme which Harcourt illustrated by introducing his 11-year-old son Ashton, a graduate of the education centre who then spoke of the influence it had on his life.
